Identification & Site Information

• Name: HUNTER
• Other Names: None reported
• Official Number: 11301
• Date Built and Launched: 1855
• Builder: Smith, Kelley & Lockwood, Milan, Ohio
• Measurements:
• Length: 101 ft (30.78 m)
• Beam: 25 ft (7.62 m)
• Depth: 7 ft (2.13 m)
• Gross Tonnage: 132 tons
• Date Lost: July 12, 1887
• Place of Loss: Milwaukee Harbor, Wisconsin
• Lake: Michigan

Vessel Type

Wooden scow-Schooner, a flat-bottomed, two-masted vessel designed for hauling heavy bulk materials like sand. Scow-schooners were particularly valued for their stability and ability to operate in shallow waters.

Description

The HUNTER was a sand scow-Schooner built in 1855 by Smith, Kelley & Lockwood in Milan, Ohio, a region with a strong shipbuilding tradition tied to the development of trade along the Great Lakes. At 101 feet in length and 132 gross tons, the vessel was relatively large for a scow, optimized for transporting bulk materials such as sand, stone, or gravel—commodities essential for the rapid industrial growth of Great Lakes cities during the 19th century.

The vessel was owned by the Milwaukee Tug Company, reflecting its integration into the busy commercial shipping operations of Milwaukee Harbor, a key industrial hub on Lake Michigan.

History

The HUNTER served for over 30 years, primarily in the transport of sand and other bulk materials along Lake Michigan. The mid-to-late 19th century was a period of significant industrial expansion in cities like Milwaukee, where sand scows played a crucial role in supplying construction materials for building projects, harbor expansions, and infrastructure development.

Scow-schooners like the HUNTER were integral to local commerce, operating in short-haul routes between sand pits and urban centers, often loading and unloading at busy docks under challenging conditions.

Final Disposition

On July 12, 1887, while unloading sand at a dock in Milwaukee Harbor, the HUNTER experienced a loading error that led to its capsizing. The vessel sank at the dock, along with a steampump and boiler that were on Deck, likely used for auxiliary operations or intended for delivery.

Although the ship was later raised, it was deemed unfit for further service and was never used again. The fact that the vessel was not returned to operation suggests either significant structural damage from the capsizing or that the cost of repairs exceeded the vessel’s value, a common occurrence for older wooden ships nearing the end of their service life.

Located By & Date Found

Nil return. There are no confirmed reports detailing the current location of the HUNTER. Since it was raised but never returned to service, it may have been dismantled or left to deteriorate in a harbor graveyard.

NOTMARs & Advisories

Nil return. No navigational hazards related to this wreck are currently reported in Milwaukee Harbor.

Resources & Links

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

Conclusion

The HUNTER‘s capsizing in Milwaukee Harbor underscores the operational risks faced by scow-schooners during the 19th century. Although these vessels were designed for bulk material transport, loading and unloading could be hazardous, particularly if uneven weight distribution caused instability. Despite serving for over three decades, the HUNTER’s career ended abruptly, and its eventual abandonment reflects both the challenges and the economic calculations involved in maintaining aging wooden freighters.