Shipwreck Report: Wisconsin (1881–1929)

Identification & Site Information

• Vessel Name: Wisconsin
• Former Names: Naomi (1899), E.G. Crosby (1909), Gen. Robert M. O’Reilly (1918), Pilgrim (1920)
• Official Number: 80861
• Vessel Type: Iron-hulled passenger & package freight Propeller Steamer
• Built: 1881, by Detroit Dry Dock, Wyandotte, Michigan (Hull #49)
• Final Location: Off Kenosha, Wisconsin, Lake Michigan
• Date Lost: October 29, 1929
• Cause: Storm
• Final Cargo: Machine tools, automobiles, passengers
• Loss of Life: 18 of 76
• Owner at Loss: Goodrich Transit Company
• Master at Loss: Capt. Charles Brown
• Specifications
  • Hull Material: Iron
  • Original Dimensions (1881): Length: 204 feet (62.2 meters)  Beam: 35 feet (10.7 meters)  Depth: 12 feet (3.7 meters)
•  Rebuilt Dimensions (1920):
  • Length: 209 feet (63.7 meters) Beam: 41 feet (12.5 meters) Depth: 21 feet (6.4 meters)
• Gross Tonnage: 1,921 tons
• Designer: Frank Kirby
• Sister Ship: Steamer Michigan

Operational History

The Wisconsin was built in 1881 by the Detroit Dry Dock Company for the Goodrich Transit Line. The vessel was intended for passenger and package freight service across Lake Michigan, serving ports between Chicago, Milwaukee, and other western lakeshore communities.

During its long career, the Wisconsin underwent several reconstructions and name changes, reflecting its evolving roles:

• 1899: Renamed Naomi and lengthened and modernized.
• 1909: Became E.G. Crosby, continuing passenger service.
• 1918: Renamed Gen. Robert M. O’Reilly, used as a military transport during World War I.
• 1920: Renamed Pilgrim and Rebuilt again for civilian use.
• 1924: Returned to the name Wisconsin, serving in the Goodrich fleet until her loss.

Final Voyage (1929)

On October 29, 1929, the Wisconsin was sailing from Milwaukee to Chicago with a cargo of machine tools, automobiles, and 76 people aboard when it encountered a severe autumn storm on Lake Michigan. The ship attempted to wait out the storm off Kenosha, Wisconsin, but was overwhelmed by the powerful waves and Foundered.

The U.S. Coast Guard attempted a rescue but was unable to break through the high seas.  Local fisherman Cliff Chambers and his crew, aboard the 52-foot fish Tug Chambers Bros., braved the storm and managed to save over 30 lives. Despite heroic rescue efforts, 18 people perished in the disaster. The wreck was declared an unrecoverable Total Loss.

Wreck Site and Diving Conditions

• Location: Lake Michigan, off Kenosha, Wisconsin
• Depth: Reported at 90–120 feet (27–36 meters)
• Visibility: Variable, but can be good on calm days
• Condition:
  • The Wisconsin remains relatively intact for a ship of its age.
  • The Hull is mostly upright but shows damage from the storm and decades underwater.
• Artifacts such as boilers, winches, and portions of the superstructure remain visible.
• Divers have reported finding intact cargo, including machine parts and vehicles.

Legacy and Influence

A Century of Service and Rebuilds  The Wisconsin operated under multiple names and saw use in commercial and military transport. It survived several rebuilds and wartime service before its tragic end.

Heroic Rescue Efforts  The bravery of local fisherman Cliff Chambers and his crew in rescuing over 30 people remains one of the great civilian rescue stories on the Great Lakes.

A Popular Great Lakes Wreck Dive Due to its relatively shallow depth and good Visibility, the Wisconsin is one of the most-visited shipwrecks in Lake Michigan.

Further Research and Resources

• Wisconsin Shipwreck Database – https://www.wisconsinshipwrecks.org
• David Swayze Shipwreck File
• Great Lakes Maritime Database – Historical images and reports.
• NOAA Marine Sanctuary – Wisconsin Shipwreck Coast – Survey data on the wreck site.
• Books: Great Lakes Shipwrecks & Survivals by William Ratigan.
• Maritime History of the Great Lakes

Conclusion

The Wisconsin was a veteran of the Great Lakes, serving for nearly 50 years under multiple names. Its final tragedy in the 1929 storm and the heroic rescue efforts that followed cement its place in Great Lakes history.

The wreck remains a popular dive site, offering a glimpse into early 20th-century lake travel and industry.