Eagle Harbor in Keweenaw County, Michigan — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Wood-Stock Anchor

Photographed By Connor Olson, June 22, 2023

1. Wood-Stock Anchor Marker

Inscription. This was the "common anchor" of the Great Lakes. It was used from the beginning of lake navigation until around 1890. The wooden stock is split to receive the shank, and then bolted closed and secured.

This particular anchor was discovered about two miles off shore in Keweenaw's "Great Sand Bay." It was raised by divers Darriell Sever and Wilbert Leinonen in 1968.

It is believed to have come from either the 233 foot wooden steamer, "James Pickands", wrecked in 1894 with a cargo of iron ore or from the wooden steamer, "Colorado", wrecked in 1898 while carrying a cargo of flour.

Donated by "CopperTown USA" — Calumet, Michigan

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Waterways & Vessels.

Location. 47° 27.564′ N, 88° 9.59′ W. Marker is in Eagle Harbor, Michigan, in Keweenaw County. Marker can be reached from Lighthouse Road north of East North Street, on the right when traveling north. Marker and subject anchor are located near the Eagle Harbor Lighthouse entrance. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 670 Lighthouse Road, Mohawk MI 49950, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Riveted Bell Buoy (a few steps from this marker); Iron-Stock Anchor (a few steps from this marker); Eagle Harbor Lighthouse and Museums

Paid Advertisement

Click on the ad for more information.
Please report objectionable advertising to the Editor.

Click or scan to see
this page online

(a few steps from this marker); Fog Signal Building (within shouting distance of this marker); Michigan DNR Marina (within shouting distance of this marker); Eagle Harbor Entrance Channel and Range Lights (within shouting distance of this marker); Eagle Harbor (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); The Eagle Harbor General Store (about 700 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Eagle Harbor.

Also see . . .
1. James Pickands. On September 22, 1894, the wooden steamer James Pickands was downbound from Duluth to South Chicago with a load of iron ore when she was lost on Sawtooth Reef. The Pickands veered off course due to thick smoke from an inland forest fire and came to a grinding halt on the reef just East of Eagle River, Michigan. The captain and 15 crew members went ashore to await the salvage tugs, but a gale arose on the 25th and broke the ship in two. (Submitted on July 15, 2020, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)

2. Colorado. The wooden propeller Colorado was built in March of 1867 at Buffalo, NY and carried one of the first compound steeple engines ever

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, August 2, 2017

2. Wood-Stock Anchor Marker

The previous marker had slightly different text.

placed in a Great Lakes steamer. She was already a veteran of the lakes when she ran aground on Sawtooth Reef on September 19, 1898, very near the wreck of the James Pickands. The captain claimed his navigation was hampered by smoky weather and magnetic anomalies caused by large amounts of iron ore that had been lightered by vessels stuck on Sawtooth. (Submitted on July 15, 2020, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, August 2, 2017

3. Wood-Stock Anchor Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on June 24, 2023. It was originally submitted on July 15, 2020, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 281 times since then and 50 times this year. Last updated on June 23, 2023, by Connor Olson of Kewaskum, Wisconsin. Photos: 1. submitted on June 23, 2023, by Connor Olson of Kewaskum, Wisconsin. 2, 3. submitted on July 15, 2020, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.