Identification & Site Information

• Name: SAILOR BOY
• Former Names: None
• Official Number: 23105
• Date Built & Launched: 1866
• Builder: C.E. Owen, Algonac, Michigan
• Original Owner: Anderson of Milwaukee, Wisconsin
• Registration Number(s): 23105
• Measurements: Length: 75 ft (22.86 m) Beam: 21 ft (6.40 m) Depth: 7 ft (2.13 m)
• Net Tonnage: 76 tons

Vessel Type

The SAILOR BOY was a wooden scow-Schooner with two masts. Scow-schooners were flat-bottomed vessels designed for carrying bulk cargo in shallow waters, making them ideal for nearshore operations, river navigation, and small port access around the Great Lakes.

Description

Built in 1866 by C.E. Owen in Algonac, Michigan, the SAILOR BOY was characteristic of scow-schooners of her time. Measuring 75 feet in length with a 21-foot beam and a 7-foot Draft, she was designed for hauling heavy, low-value bulk cargo such as wood, lumber, stone, or coal. The flat-bottomed Hull design allowed the vessel to operate efficiently in shallow waters and to be easily beached for loading and unloading cargo—common in ports without developed dock facilities. The SAILOR BOY’s two-masted schooner rig provided straightforward sail handling, often managed by a small crew, which helped reduce operating costs.

History

The SAILOR BOY operated primarily on Lake Michigan, transporting cargo between small ports along Michigan’s shoreline and commercial hubs like Milwaukee, Chicago, and other Great Lakes cities. Her ownership under Anderson of Milwaukee suggests she was engaged in regional trade, frequently carrying lumber and other building materials vital to the rapidly growing cities around the Great Lakes during the late 19th century.

Final Voyage & Disposition

On May 21, 1883, the SAILOR BOY was en route from Pierport, Michigan, to Milwaukee, Wisconsin, carrying a cargo of wood. As she approached Milwaukee, a gale swept across Lake Michigan, forcing the vessel to anchor outside the harbour to wait for the storm to subside—a common practice when conditions were too dangerous to safely navigate into port.

However, as the storm intensified, the SAILOR BOY’s anchor chains failed, and the vessel broke free, drifting uncontrollably in the high winds and heavy seas. She was eventually driven aground near Bay View, about 2 miles south of Milwaukee Harbour.

Despite the perilous conditions, the three-person crew managed to survive. They used a heaving line to establish a connection with bystanders on the beach, who assisted in pulling the crew to safety. This collaborative effort between sailors and shoreline residents was a common lifesaving practice before the widespread establishment of formal U.S. Life-Saving Service stations.

The following day, the SAILOR BOY was stripped of any salvageable materials—including rigging, hardware, and remaining cargo—and subsequently Abandoned, deemed beyond repair due to the extensive damage from the storm and grounding.

Located By & Date Found

There are no records indicating that the wreck of the SAILOR BOY has been formally located or identified. Given her small size, wooden construction, and proximity to Milwaukee’s busy shoreline, any remaining wreckage may have deteriorated, been buried under sediment, or salvaged over time.

NOTMARs & Advisories

No current Notices to Mariners (NOTMARs) specifically reference the SAILOR BOY’s wreck site near Bay View, Milwaukee. However, the nearshore area has numerous submerged hazards, and local navigational charts should be consulted.

Resources & Links

• Great Lakes Vessels Database – Bowling Green State University
• Maritime History of the Great Lakes
• David Swayze Shipwreck File
• Milwaukee Public Library – Maritime Collections
• Wisconsin Historical Society – Maritime Preservation

Conclusion

The story of the SAILOR BOY is emblematic of the hundreds of small scow-schooners that once plied the waters of the Great Lakes, serving as the backbone of regional commerce during the 19th century. While her design prioritized utility over durability, she fulfilled her role until succumbing to the very forces of nature that made Great Lakes shipping both vital and perilous. Although her physical remains may no longer exist, her history lives on as a testament to the resilience of Great Lakes mariners and the vessels that carried them.