Identification & Site Information

• Name: J.M. Allmendinger
• Former Names: None
• Official Number: 76411
• Date Built and Launched: 1883
• Builder: G.H. Burgoyne, Benton Harbor, Michigan
• Vessel Type: Wooden Propeller, Bulk Freight Carrier
• Hull Material: Wood
• Measurements:Length: 105 ft (32 m) Beam: 24 ft (7.3 m) Depth: 9 ft (2.7 m)
• Gross Tonnage: 183 tons
• Net Tonnage: 125 tons
• Date Lost: November 26, 1895
• Place of Loss: Fox Point, north of Milwaukee, Wisconsin
• Lake: Lake Michigan
• Type of Loss: Grounded during a storm (blizzard-gale)
• Loss of Life: None
• Cargo at Time of Loss: Lumber

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Vessel Type:

Wooden propeller-driven bulk freighter, designed primarily for the transport of lumber and other bulk goods on the Great Lakes.

The J.M. Allmendinger was a wooden propeller vessel built in 1883 by G.H. Burgoyne in Benton Harbor, Michigan. Measuring 105 feet in length with a beam of 24 feet and a depth of 9 feet, the vessel had a Gross Tonnage of 183 and a Net Tonnage of 125. Designed for the bulk freight trade, the vessel was particularly involved in the lumber industry, which was a dominant sector in Great Lakes commerce during the late 19th century.

Owned by E.B. Simpson & Son out of Milwaukee, the J.M. Allmendinger operated primarily in Lake Michigan, transporting lumber from northern ports to industrial centers like Milwaukee and Chicago.

History:

Throughout her operational life, the J.M. Allmendinger served as a reliable freight vessel, playing a key role in the lumber trade. By the 1880s, the Great Lakes had become the central artery for moving lumber from Michigan’s Upper Peninsula and Wisconsin to the rapidly growing cities of the Midwest.

While specific details of her earlier voyages are limited, the vessel was known for handling regular routes between smaller ports and major urban centers, contributing to the booming construction industry that characterized the late 19th century.

Final Voyage and Loss:

On November 26, 1895, the J.M. Allmendinger was carrying a load of lumber when she encountered a severe blizzard-gale on Lake Michigan. As the storm intensified, blinding snow made navigation nearly impossible, and the vessel was driven aground at Fox Point, north of Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

Despite the violent conditions, the entire crew survived the ordeal. Local rescuers, likely familiar with the perils of Lake Michigan’s volatile weather, managed to save the stranded sailors. While the vessel was initially considered a Total Loss, salvage efforts were delayed, and the wreck remained partially intact over the winter.

By the spring of 1897, the J.M. Allmendinger had deteriorated significantly. A subsequent storm that spring destroyed the remaining structure, and the vessel was officially Abandoned.

Final Disposition:

The J.M. Allmendinger was officially Abandoned in 1897 after going to pieces in a spring storm. The wreckage likely settled in shallow waters off Fox Point, though there is no record of a formal salvage operation.

Located By & Date Found:

There is no confirmed modern discovery of the J.M. Allmendinger‘s wreck. However, the area near Fox Point remains of interest to maritime archaeologists, as it contains numerous shipwrecks from the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

NOTMARs & Advisories:

Mariners navigating near Fox Point and Milwaukee’s northern shoreline are advised to consult updated nautical charts for any submerged hazards, though no current advisories specifically relate to the J.M. Allmendinger.

Resources & Links:

• Maritime History of the Great Lakes
• Great Lakes Vessels Database – BGSU
• Wisconsin Shipwrecks Database
• Edward J. Dowling Collection, University of Detroit – Mercy

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Conclusion

The J.M. Allmendinger represents the essential role of wooden propeller vessels in the late 19th-century lumber trade on the Great Lakes. Built in 1883 and operating out of Milwaukee, she contributed to the rapid urban development fueled by the timber industry. Her grounding during a blizzard in 1895 and eventual destruction in 1897 highlight both the perils of Great Lakes navigation and the durability of vessels that continued service even after severe incidents. While her wreck remains undiscovered, the J.M. Allmendinger‘s story adds to the rich tapestry of Lake Michigan’s maritime history.

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Keywords: J.M. Allmendinger, Wooden Propeller, Lake Michigan Shipwreck, Fox Point, Lumber Trade, Great Lakes Maritime History
Categories: Great Lakes Freighters, Lake Michigan Shipwrecks, 19th Century Maritime Incidents
Glossary Terms: Bulk Freight Vessel, Blizzard-Gale, Total Loss, Wooden Propeller Ship, Maritime Rescue