Did you know that you could have the chance to see the Australasia shipwreck on our Caves and Dunes Kayak Tour? That’s right! A Door County kayak tour with a shipwreck sighting! Depending on the conditions during your paddle – you could be lucky enough to take a glance at what once was the largest wooden vessel built during her time.😲🪵
The Australasia was built in 1884 by Captain James Davidson in West Bay City, MI. She was built at about 285 feet. Her career was very impressive, as she was very efficient, and lasted twelve years. Within those years she carried bulk cargoes across the Great Lakes. 🚢 🤩
The Australasia embarked on her last journey in October of 1896. It was at approximately 6 pm on the seventeenth of the month that the crew discovered “a fire beneath the Texas on the main deck”. 🔥 After a halfhearted attempt to save the ship, the crew abandoned the ship which was then about four miles off Jacksonport.
The vessel began to be towed toward the shore, however, the tow line kept burning through. Therefore, at 9 am on that Sunday, it was tugged towards the beach of Cave Point. There, she was left heading northwest to west and burned until that evening.
On the day of her wreck, the Australasia was carrying a cargo of both coal and machinery. 🚢🪨 While she herself was declared a total loss, her cargo was able to be salvaged. There is no physical evidence of the cargo of coal on site, however, coal can be found washed up to shore on the nearby beach. 🌊🏖️
Interested in learning more about the Australasia? Embark on an unforgettable adventure with our Caves and Dunes tour at Whitefish Dunes! 😉🛶
The bow of the Australasia shipwreck under water, off the coast of Cave Point County Park, as seen from our kayaks!
