Identification & Site Information

• Vessel Name: TENNIE & LAURA
• Other Names: None
• Official Number: 145115
• Type at Loss: Schooner or Scow-Schooner, Wood
• Builder: G. Jorgenson, Manitowoc, WI
• Year Built: 1876
• Specifications: Length: 73 ft (22.25 m) Beam: 19 ft (5.79 m) Depth: 5 ft (1.52 m)
• Gross Tonnage: 57 tons
• Net Tonnage: 54 tons
• Date Lost: August 8, 1903
• Cause: Storm
• Place of Loss: On route between Muskegon, MI and Milwaukee, WI, approximately 10 miles off Milwaukee
• Cargo: Lumber
• Loss of Life: 1 of 2 crew members lost
• Master: Captain John Sather

Vessel Type

The TENNIE & LAURA was a wooden Schooner, also described as a scow-Schooner due to its flat-bottomed design—a style popular on the Great Lakes during the 19th century for transporting bulk cargo like lumber. Scow-schooners were especially suited for navigating shallow harbors and rivers, making them ideal for the lumber trade in the Lake Michigan region.

Description

Built in 1876 by G. Jorgenson in Manitowoc, Wisconsin, the TENNIE & LAURA was a small, utilitarian vessel typical of the Great Lakes’ late 19th-century commercial Schooner fleet. Its modest dimensions and shallow Draft made it well-suited for hauling timber, one of the region’s most valuable commodities at the time.

These vessels often operated with minimal crew—sometimes as few as two people—making them economical but also vulnerable during adverse weather conditions. The Schooner was likely outfitted with two masts, simple rigging, and an open Deck space optimized for cargo.

History

The TENNIE & LAURA served nearly three decades as a working vessel on Lake Michigan, primarily transporting lumber between key ports such as Muskegon and Milwaukee. Lumber schooners like her played an essential role in supplying materials for the rapid urban expansion of cities around the Great Lakes during the post-Civil War boom.

Although not as renowned as larger steam-powered freighters, vessels like the TENNIE & LAURA were the backbone of regional commerce, often operating without much attention until disasters struck.

Final Disposition

On August 8, 1903, the TENNIE & LAURA was en route from Muskegon to Milwaukee when she encountered a severe storm on Lake Michigan, approximately 10 miles offshore from Milwaukee. The Schooner capsized and subsequently Foundered under the force of the waves.

Out of the two crew members aboard, one perished in the disaster. The sole survivor was rescued by the passing Steamer MARK COVELL, which had come upon the scene after the Schooner had already gone down. Reports suggest the vessel likely sank quickly due to the heavy load of lumber, which could shift dangerously in rough seas, compromising stability.

Located By & Date Found

• • Status: Wreck not officially located
• • Approximate Location: 10 miles off Milwaukee, WI, Lake Michigan
• • Coordinates: Not available

Given the vessel’s size and wooden construction, any remaining wreckage may be scattered or buried under sediment. No confirmed discovery has been made to date, though the area is frequently surveyed due to the high concentration of shipwrecks near Milwaukee.

NOTMARs & Advisories

• Obstructions: None officially charted for the wreck site
• Advisories:  The waters off Milwaukee are popular for recreational diving, but Visibility and conditions can vary.
• Strong currents and changing weather conditions can pose hazards for divers exploring offshore wreck sites.

Resources & Links

• Maritime History of the Great Lakes
• Wisconsin Shipwrecks – Wisconsin Historical Society
• Great Lakes Vessels Database
• David Swayze’s Great Lakes Shipwreck File
• Milwaukee Public Library Archives

Conclusion

The TENNIE & LAURA represents the unsung working vessels of the Great Lakes—the small schooners that were the lifeblood of the lumber industry and local commerce. Though modest in size, ships like hers were crucial to the development of cities like Milwaukee and Muskegon.

Her loss in 1903, like many Schooner tragedies, underscores the perils faced by sailors navigating the unpredictable waters of Lake Michigan, particularly in the era before modern weather forecasting and navigation aids. Today, she remains part of the Great Lakes’ vast underwater heritage, her final resting place still hidden beneath the waves.