Archive · 2 Jun 2025
Historic Gold Watch Returns Home After 160 Years in Lake Michigan
A gold watch that belonged to a famous British man named Herbert Ingram was lost when his ship, the Lady Elgin, sank in a storm in 1860.
The ship went down in Lake Michigan, and over 300 people died.
The watch was found in 1992 by divers, preserved because the lake water was cold.
It was recently given to a museum in England, Ingram's hometown, in May 2025.
The watch is a reminder of the disaster and the man's important work as a journalist and politician.
It helped the museum create an exhibit in his honor.
A gold pocket watch belonging to Herbert Ingram was lost when the Lady Elgin sank in Lake Michigan in 1860.
The steamship disaster resulted in over 300 fatalities and remains one of the worst maritime tragedies in the region's history.
The watch was discovered in 1992 by scuba divers, remarkably preserved in the lake's cold waters.
Ingram was the founder of the London Illustrated News and a Member of Parliament.
The watch was returned to Ingram's hometown in Boston, Lincolnshire, England, in May 2025.
- Who
- The gold pocket watch belonged to Herbert Ingram, a British journalist, politician, and founder of the London Illustrated News.
- What
- A gold pocket watch, belonging to Herbert Ingram, was recovered from Lake Michigan and returned to his hometown.
- When
- The watch was lost in 1860, discovered in 1992, and returned to Boston in May 2025.
- Where
- The watch was found in Lake Michigan near Winnetka, Illinois, and returned to Boston, Lincolnshire, England.
- Why
- The watch was returned to honor Herbert Ingram's life and legacy, and to provide a tangible link to the Lady Elgin disaster.
- Owner
- Herbert Ingram
- Occupation
- Journalist and Politician
- Ship
- Lady Elgin
- Sinking Date
- September 8, 1860
- Discovery Date
- 1992
- Return Date
- May 2025
- Location Found
- Lake Michigan
- Home Town
- Boston, Lincolnshire, England