Identification & Site Information

• Name: ANGELIQUE
• Also Known As: ANGELINE
• Official Number: 29299
• Type at Loss: Schooner, wood-hulled
• Date Built and Launched: 1855
• Builder: Unknown, Detroit, Michigan
• Measurements: 67 ft (20.4 m) length, 18 ft (5.5 m) beam, 4 ft (1.2 m) depth; 44 tons
• Date Lost: May 27, 1866
• Place of Loss: Off North Point, Milwaukee, Lake Michigan

Vessel Type

Wooden Schooner

Description

The ANGELIQUE was a small wooden Schooner, reflecting the typical design of mid-19th-century Great Lakes vessels used for short-haul cargo transport between ports. Given her modest size, she was well-suited for navigating the nearshore waters and smaller harbors of Lake Michigan.

History

Built in 1855 in Detroit, Michigan, the ANGELIQUE served in regional trade routes around the Great Lakes, likely transporting a variety of bulk goods between key port cities. She was owned by Libby & Co. of Detroit and operated under the command of Captain Cameron at the time of her loss.

On May 27, 1866, while en route from Chicago to St. Joseph, Michigan, the ANGELIQUE encountered a storm off North Point, near Milwaukee. The Schooner became waterlogged, meaning that she took on a significant amount of water, reducing her buoyancy and stability. The vessel drifted towards the shore, battered by the storm.

As the Schooner neared the coastline, her mate, an elderly man referred to as “Daft”, made a desperate attempt to reach shore by jumping overboard to swim. Unfortunately, he was lost to the waters. The skipper remained aboard until the Schooner was close enough for rescue. The Tug DAVIDSON and a volunteer crew from the Schooner NORWAY managed to reach the stranded captain and bring him to safety.

Following the rescue, the ANGELIQUE capsized and drifted into Milwaukee Bay, where she was ultimately Abandoned. Given the extent of her damage and the limited resources for salvage operations at the time, the vessel was not recovered.

Final Disposition

Capsized and drifted into Milwaukee Bay, where she was Abandoned following the storm and partial rescue.

Located By & Date Found

Nil—there are no confirmed reports of the wreck’s recovery or current location.

NOTMARs & Advisories

Nil—no current navigational advisories or obstructions related to the ANGELIQUE wreck site off North Point, Milwaukee.

Resources & Links

• Maritime History of the Great Lakes
• Great Lakes Ships Database
• David Swayze Shipwreck File
• Wisconsin Historical Society Shipwrecks

Conclusion

The ANGELIQUE‘s story is a testament to the dangers faced by mariners on the Great Lakes, even on seemingly routine trips. The tragic loss of her mate, known only as “Daft,” underscores the desperation and peril sailors faced when caught in storms far from safe harbor. While the skipper’s rescue was a rare bright spot in the incident, the Schooner’s subsequent capsizing and abandonment reflect the harsh realities of 19th-century maritime commerce, where even small vessels were not immune to the unpredictable power of Lake Michigan. The ANGELIQUE remains part of the rich maritime history of the region, though her final resting place is yet to be confirmed.

Keywords, Categories, and Glossary Terms

• Keywords: ANGELIQUE Schooner, ANGELINE shipwreck, North Point Milwaukee shipwreck, Lake Michigan Schooner loss, Libby & Co. Detroit, Tug DAVIDSON rescue, Schooner NORWAY
• Categories: Lake Michigan Shipwrecks, Wooden Schooners, Storm-Related Shipwrecks, Milwaukee Maritime History, 19th Century Great Lakes Vessels
• Glossary Terms:
• Waterlogged: A condition in which a vessel has taken on so much water that it loses buoyancy and stability, often leading to capsizing.
• Capsized: The overturning of a vessel, causing it to flip over or roll onto its side.
• North Point: A prominent geographic feature near Milwaukee, Wisconsin, frequently referenced in maritime records due to its proximity to historical shipping routes.