In a remarkable turn of events, a Wisconsin father and his 6-year-old daughter stumbled upon what is believed to be a 150-year-old shipwreck that was lost during one of the deadliest wildfires in US history. Tim Wollak and his daughter, Henley, made the astonishing find during a fishing trip near Green Island in Green Bay, Wisconsin, in August, according to the Wisconsin Historical Society.

While enjoying their fishing expedition on Lake Michigan, Wollak's sonar detector detected a mysterious object underwater, which his daughter thought might be a rare Green Bay Octopus. Intrigued by the discovery, Wollak posted sonar photos on his Facebook page, sparking the attention of the historical society. Experts from the society believe that the pair may have stumbled upon the 122-foot-long George L. Newman ship.

The George L. Newman, laden with valuable lumber supplies, had embarked on its ill-fated journey from Little Suamico on October 8, 1871. The ship became disoriented in the thick smoke of the deadly Peshtigo Fire, one of the most devastating wildfires in US history. This tragic event claimed the lives of over 1,500 people and destroyed more than one million acres of land in northeastern Wisconsin, as confirmed by the Western Fire Chiefs Association.

Described as a wooden three-masted sailing ship, the George L. Newman lies about 8 to 10 feet beneath the water's surface. Although the identity of the wreck is yet to be confirmed, experts from the Wisconsin Historical Society assert that its location and available data align with that of the George L. Newman.

Tamara Thomsen, a maritime archaeologist for the Wisconsin Historical Society, expressed the rarity of the discovery, as no other shipwrecks have been sighted in the area thus far. She further explained that the society will conduct a further investigation of the shipwreck in 2024 as part of the Maritime Preservation and Archaeology Program. The aim of this undertaking is to evaluate the site for potential listing on the National Register of Historic Places.

The Wollak family, thrilled by their serendipitous find, could hardly contain their excitement. Tim Wollak, expressing his pride, remarked, "I told her I'm pretty sure there's no one else in her school that has ever found a shipwreck that nobody had recorded before... I guess we'll just have to fish more and see if we can find more shipwrecks."

The discovery of this potential 150-year-old shipwreck serves as a testament to the resilience and history hidden beneath the depths of Lake Michigan. As the Wisconsin Historical Society proceeds with their investigations, the true identity of this underwater relic will soon be unveiled, shining a light on the past and preserving a piece of history for generations to come.