CITY OF MILWAUKEE: A Resilient Schooner Lost to the Depths

IDENTIFICATION & SITE INFORMATION

•Vessel Name: City of Milwaukee

•Vessel Type: Schooner (originally built as a Bark)

•Year Built: 1861

•Builder: Peck & Masters, Cleveland, Ohio

•Dimensions:

•Length: 43 meters (141 feet)

•Beam (Width): 9.1 meters (30 feet)

•Depth: 3.7 meters (12 feet)

•Tonnage:

•Gross: 436 tons

•Net: 316 tons

•Masts: Three

•Last Registered Port: Chicago, Illinois

•Wreck Location: Lake Huron

•Depth: Unknown

•Current Condition: Foundered in 1875; wreck location undetermined

VESSEL TYPE DESCRIPTION

The City of Milwaukee was originally designed as a three-masted Bark, later operating as a Schooner. Both barks and schooners were crucial to Great Lakes commerce in the 19th century, with their robust construction and expansive cargo capacities making them ideal for transporting bulk goods like limestone, coal, and lumber. This vessel was well-equipped to handle the often-turbulent conditions of the Great Lakes.

HISTORY

Construction and Ownership

Built in 1861 by Peck & Masters in Cleveland, Ohio, the City of Milwaukee was a significant cargo vessel for its time. Designed with a large hold and sturdy construction, it served the busy trade routes of the Great Lakes. Over its 14-year career, the vessel had several owners:

•Charles Ensign and others (Buffalo, NY)

•Nims & Gibson (Buffalo, NY)

•D.D. Hannett

•Elisha Eldred (Chicago, Illinois)

By 1874, the Schooner was captained by Joseph Wilson, who hailed from Chicago.

Final Voyage

On November 5, 1875, the City of Milwaukee was en route to Marquette, Michigan, carrying a cargo of limestone when it encountered a severe storm on Lake Huron. The treacherous weather caused the vessel to take on water rapidly. Despite the crew’s efforts, the Schooner began to founder. The crew Abandoned ship in the vessel’s Yawl boat and were later rescued by the passing Schooner Mary L. Higgie.

Loss and Legacy

The storm marked the end of the City of Milwaukee, which sank to the depths of Lake Huron. Fortunately, the crew’s rescue meant no lives were lost, a rare and fortunate outcome in an era when maritime disasters often claimed lives. However, the ship’s cargo and Hull were lost entirely, adding to the list of vessels claimed by the unpredictable waters of Lake Huron.

FINAL DISPOSITION

The City of Milwaukee Foundered during a severe storm on November 5, 1875. Despite its crew being saved, the ship and its cargo of limestone were lost. The wreck’s exact location remains undiscovered.

LOCATED BY & DATE

The wreck of the City of Milwaukee has not been definitively located. Further exploration and modern sonar technologies may one day pinpoint its resting place on the bed of Lake Huron.

NOTMARs & ADVISORIES

There are no active Notices to Mariners (NOTMARs) associated with the City of Milwaukee. Lake Huron’s long history of shipwrecks serves as a reminder for navigators to exercise caution in its waters, especially during stormy weather.

RESOURCES & LINKS

•Great Lakes Ships Database: Great Lakes Ships

•David Swayze Shipwreck File: David Swayze Shipwreck File

•Maritime History of the Great Lakes Database: Maritime History of the Great Lakes

CONCLUSION

The City of Milwaukee stands as a testament to the risks and resilience of Great Lakes shipping in the 19th century. Though its 14-year career ended in a storm on Lake Huron, the Schooner played a vital role in transporting goods across the region. Its sinking serves as a poignant reminder of the power of nature and the challenges faced by sailors who braved these inland seas. The eventual discovery of the wreck would provide valuable insights into the vessel’s construction and the events leading to its tragic end.

Keywords: City of Milwaukee, Schooner, Lake Huron shipwreck, limestone cargo, 19th-century shipwreck, maritime rescue, Great Lakes maritime history.