Built in 1871, the Joseph S. Fay was a 215 feet long and 33 feet wide wooden freighter. She was steam powered and propeller driven. On October 19th 1905, there was a major storm and the ship began to take on water prompting the captain to steer her toward the shore off Forty Mile Point, six miles north of Rogers City. The Fay ran aground approximately 900 feet offshore in 15-20 feet of water. Reportedly, most of the crew floated ashore on the Fay's pilot house after it broke free from the ship. Three crewmen swam ashore and the first mate drowned having succumbed to the cold and violent conditions. As time passed, the ship continued to break apart due to the constant movement of water in such depth. A large 150 foot section of its hull drifted ashore and rests on the beach approximately 200 feet northwest of Forty Mile Lighthouse.