November 12, 1883

The Akeley sank in Lake Michigan.

At 10:30 P.M. the previous evening, the pipe supplying water to the Akeley‘s boiler was ripped off due to high seas. Soon chains supporting the smokestack snapped. The 230-foot steamer drifted along as waves picked up indicating an impending storm. The captain ordered the men to lower the anchor so they could weather out the storm. As another vessel, the Driver, approached the stricken vessel, a big wave hit Akeley and the aft mass broke off the ship. The Akeley plunged to the bottom of the lake stern first. Twelve crewmembers survived the disaster; six were lost.

Thank you Michigan Start Pages for this glimpse into our past.  See more here.