After the three schooners wrecked, the lighthouse crew monitored their deterioration, leaving records that provide us with information about how the wreck sites formed. The Nichols was reported as a total wreck on December 3 following heavy gales, after which she was purchased from the underwriters by F.H. Van Cleve of the Escanaba Wrecking Company. A March gale in 1893 carried away the Nichols' topmast and strained her hull , and by February 1894 the sea and ice had completely demolished her and washed some fragments up on the beach.

Pilot Island and the dismasted hulls of the Gilmore (left) and the Nichols (right) in November 1892. (Photo courtesy of the Wisconsin Maritime Museum .)

The Gilmore appears to have been somewhat more resilient, due either to her position or construction. Although initial reports appeared confident of releasing the schooner, she was found to be solidly placed on the rocks, and work began on stripping her . In February 1894, she lay in about the same condition as when she wrecked, and a photograph of Pilot Island at about this time shows the dismasted hulls of the A.P. Nichols and the J.E. Gilmore ashore on Pilot Island.  Unfortunately, the photograph is not dated.

The last enrollment of the Nichols was surrendered at Chicago on November 17, 1892, and the last enrollment of the Gilmore was surrendered on April 25, 1893, both vessels total losses.

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