Shipwreck Report: Schooner Waukesha (Formerly Nabob) (1862–1896)

Identification & Site Information

• Vessel Name: Waukesha (formerly Nabob)
• Other Names: Built as Nabob, renamed Waukesha before 1884
• Official Number: 18175 
• Vessel Type: Wooden Schooner
• Built: 1862, by Rand, Manitowoc, Wisconsin (some sources also list Milwaukee)
• Owners at Time of Loss: F.H. Head, Chicago, or possibly her captain, Duncan Corbett
• Specifications Length: 138 feet (42.1 metres) Beam: 27 feet (8.2 metres) Depth: 12 feet (3.7 metres)
• Gross Tonnage: 310 tons
• Net Tonnage: 295 tons
• Major Repairs: 1881 & 1882

Operational History

Built as the Schooner Nabob (1862-1884) Constructed in Manitowoc, Wisconsin, or Milwaukee, the Nabob was a three-masted wooden Schooner designed for cargo transport on the Great Lakes.  She was part of the Midwest grain, lumber, and commodity trade, hauling goods between Wisconsin, Michigan, Illinois, and New York ports.

Renamed Waukesha (Before 1884) At some point before 1884, she was renamed Waukesha, likely after Waukesha, Wisconsin. By the late 19th century, she was used for bulk cargo transport, including salt, apples, and grain.

Final Years and Repairs (1881-1882) The Waukesha underwent major repairs in 1881 and 1882, indicating: Significant structural wear from years of service. A possible refit or Rebuild to extend her operational life.

Final Voyage and Loss

• Date of Loss: November 7, 1896
• Location: Off Muskegon, Michigan, Lake Michigan
• Cause: Storm and waterlogging
• Cargo at Loss: 600 tons of salt and apples
• Loss of Life: 6 of 7 crew members perished

Incident Details

The Waukesha was caught in a gale and attempted to enter Muskegon Harbor, but could not negotiate the entrance. With no safe harbor available, the crew anchored offshore, hoping to ride out the storm. Heavy waves and wind battered the vessel, causing her to take on water and eventually founder. Locals watched from shore as her lights disappeared before wreckage began washing ashore. The only survivor later reported that the rest of the crew became so intoxicated during the storm that they were unable to save themselves or the ship.

Legacy and Significance

A Veteran of Great Lakes Cargo Trade The Waukesha (formerly Nabob) had a long career spanning over 30 years, serving in the grain, salt, and lumber trade. Her loss marked the end of another aging wooden Schooner, as steel-hulled freighters began dominating Great Lakes shipping.

Maritime Hazards of the Great Lakes Like many other schooners, the Waukesha’s loss highlights the dangers of autumn storms on Lake Michigan. Many vessels were lost just offshore, often in sight of safety, but unable to enter harbors due to high winds and waves.

The Role of Alcohol in Maritime Disasters The survivor’s claim that the crew was too intoxicated to save the ship is a unique and tragic element of this wreck. Alcohol consumption among Great Lakes sailors was not uncommon, as many carried whiskey or rum to cope with harsh conditions. Whether or not drunkenness played a role, the storm alone may have been enough to doom the ship.

Wreck Site and Potential Remains

• Location: Offshore Muskegon, Michigan, Lake Michigan
• Current Condition: The Waukesha likely sank in deep water, making recovery difficult. Wooden vessels like the Waukesha tend to break apart over time, leaving scattered debris on the lakebed.
• Potential for Discovery: If the wreck was never salvaged, sonar surveys may locate remnants of her Hull, ballast, or cargo.
• No known dive records exist, suggesting she remains undiscovered or largely undocumented.

Further Research and Resources

• Wisconsin Shipwrecks – Wisconsin Historical Society https://www.wisconsinshipwrecks.org Documents Wisconsin-built schooners and shipwrecks on Lake Michigan.
• Michigan Shipwreck Research Association https://www.michiganshipwrecks.org Features historical records and ongoing research on Michigan wrecks.
• Maritime History of the Great Lakes http://www.maritimehistoryofthegreatlakes.ca Contains shipwreck reports, newspaper clippings, and enrollment records.
• Great Lakes Shipwreck Preservation Society Works to document and preserve shipwreck sites across the Great Lakes.

Conclusion

The Waukesha (formerly Nabob, 1862–1896) was a long-serving Schooner that met her tragic end in a Lake Michigan storm. Attempting to ride out the gale at anchor, she became waterlogged and Foundered off Muskegon, with only one survivor. Her cargo of salt and apples was lost, and the wreck washed ashore in pieces, witnessed by locals. Her exact wreck site remains unknown, but she remains a part of Great Lakes maritime history, illustrating the perils of Schooner sailing in stormy waters.