Shipwreck George M. Cox

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The George M. Cox was built as the Puritan which had a long operational history in the passenger transportation business mainly between Chicago, Holland and Benton Harbor. It was acquired but the US Navy in 1918 for service in WWI. It returned to the Great Lakes for service in 1920. After sitting idle for four years during the Great Depression in 1933 millionaire George M. Cox bought the Puritan for service between Chicago, Houghton, Isle Royale and Port Arthur. After a total refit the now elegant Puritan was renamed the George M. Cox after its owner. It was on its maiden voyage with its owner on board that it grounded on Rock of Ages shoal. Striking the reef at a speed of 17 knots lifted an estimated 110 feet of her keel out of the water. All 125 passengers and crew were rescued by the lighthouse keeper and spent an uncomfortable night huddled on the lighthouse spiral staircase. This model is from a 1999 photomosaic survey project.