Identification & Site Information

• Name: Union
• Former Names: None
• Official Number: 25045
• Date Built & Launched: 1861
• Builder: N. Saunders, Menominee, Michigan
• Specifications: 54 ft x 18 ft x 6 ft (16.5 m x 5.5 m x 1.8 m), 18 gross tons
• Vessel Type: Wooden Schooner
• Date Lost: June 15, 1874
• Place of Loss: South Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Lake Michigan
• Cause of Loss: Storm; driven ashore and broken apart
• Loss of Life: 1 fatality
• Cargo: Unknown
• Owner: Nate Saunders, Escanaba, Michigan

Vessel Type

The Union was a small wooden Schooner, a common vessel type used for transporting lumber, fish, or general freightalong the shores of the Great Lakes. Schooners of this size were often involved in short-haul trade between smaller ports, particularly in the Upper Peninsula and Wisconsin regions.

Description & History

Built in 1861 by Nathan Saunders in Menominee, Michigan, the Union was primarily a coastal trading vessel, operating out of Escanaba, Michigan. It likely engaged in local freight transport, moving goods between Upper Michigan, Wisconsin, and northern Illinois ports.

On June 15, 1874, the Union was caught in a gale near South Milwaukee while navigating Lake Michigan. The storm forced the vessel ashore, and the pounding waves quickly broke it apart on the beach.

Tragically, one crew member lost their life in the wreck, while the fate of the remaining crew is uncertain but presumed to have survived.

Final Disposition

The Union was completely destroyed by wave action, and no salvage efforts were recorded. Given its small size and location, any wreckage would have been scattered along the shoreline.

Located By & Date Found

No confirmed discovery of wreckage has been documented.

NOTMARs & Advisories

South Milwaukee’s shoreline has seen extensive erosion and development, likely burying or dispersing any remains. The area is historically prone to shipwrecks due to shifting sandbars and frequent storms.

Resources & Links

• Maritime History of the Great Lakes
• Great Lakes Ships Database
• David Swayze Shipwreck File
• NOAA Great Lakes Shipwrecks

Conclusion

The Union was a typical small Schooner of the Great Lakes, used for regional trade and transport. Its loss off South Milwaukee in 1874, with one life lost, highlights the risks faced by small sailing vessels on Lake Michigan, particularly during sudden storms. While the ship itself was destroyed, it remains a historical reminder of the challenges of early Great Lakes shipping.

Keywords & Categories

Keywords: Great Lakes schooners, South Milwaukee shipwrecks, Lake Michigan storms, 19th-century Great Lakes trade

Categories: Shipwrecks of Lake Michigan, 19th-century shipwrecks, wooden schooners, storm-related losses

Glossary Terms: Schooner, Stranding, Great Lakes Coastal Trade, Menominee Shipbuilding