Walter L. Frost (shipwreck)

The Walter L. Frost was a wooden-hulled schooner that sank in Lake Michigan on November 5, 1903, near Algoma, Wisconsin. Built in 1867 by William Crosthwaite in Algonac, Michigan, the vessel was primarily used for transporting lumber and other bulk goods. The schooner measured 132 feet in length, 26 feet in beam, and had a depth of 10 feet.

On its final voyage, the Walter L. Frost, under the command of Captain John E. Rogers, was carrying a load of cedar posts from Cedar River, Michigan, destined for Chicago, Illinois. Encountering heavy seas and a severe gale, the ship began to leak and eventually foundered approximately two miles northeast of Algoma. All six crew members perished in the wreck.

The wreckage of the Walter L. Frost was discovered in 1992 by shipwreck hunter Ross Richardson. It lies in approximately 60 feet of water and is a popular site for scuba diving, though the condition of the wreck has deteriorated over time due to the harsh underwater environment and ice scour. The site is recognized for its historical significance as a well-preserved example of a Great Lakes schooner and a tragic reminder of the dangers faced by sailors on these waters. The wreck site is protected under Wisconsin state law.