Identification & Site Information

• Name: MILWAUKEE
• Other Names: None reported
• Official Number: 16619
• Date Built and Launched: 1859
• Builder: Mason & Bidwell, Buffalo, New York
• Master Carpenter: Andrew S. Mason
• Original Owner: Julius Morris, Buffalo, NY

Construction and Ownership

• Vessel Type: Steamer (Sidewheel)
• Hull Materials: Wood, with frames diagonally braced with iron for additional structural support
• Number of Decks: 2
• Power:
• Number of Masts: 2
• Propulsion: Sidewheel
• Engine Type: Vertical Beam (Walking Beam)
• Engine Specs: 60-inch cylinder, 12-foot stroke vertical beam engine producing 1000 horsepower at 15-18 rpm, built by Shepard Iron Works, Buffalo, NY
• Boilers: 2 up-returned tubular boilers (23.5 ft x 10 ft), also from Shepard Iron Works
• Sidewheels: 34 feet in diameter
• Measurements: Length: 239 ft (72.85 m) Beam: 34 ft 4 in (10.46 m) Depth: 12 ft 2 in (3.71 m)
• Tonnage (Old Style): 1039 31/95 tons

History

The MILWAUKEE was launched in 1859 as a Sidewheel Steamer, designed for passenger and freight service on Lake Michigan, specifically operating between Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and Grand Haven, Michigan. Like its sister ship, the DETROIT, the MILWAUKEE was built with a focus on luxury and reliability, intended to serve year-round despite the harsh conditions often encountered on the Great Lakes.

Shortly after its launch, the vessel was enrolled in Milwaukee on August 22, 1859, under the ownership of the Lake Michigan Transit Co. The ship quickly became a prominent fixture on the Milwaukee-Grand Haven route, offering reliable transportation for both passengers and general cargo.

However, the MILWAUKEE‘s operational history was fraught with accidents and collisions:

• 1859, Nov 28: Ran aground at Grand Haven, Lake Michigan. The vessel was subsequently repaired in Chicago, Illinois.
• 1861: The upper cabins were added by Shearer Brothers in Detroit, enhancing passenger accommodations.
• 1862, May 30: The vessel struck a pier in Milwaukee, requiring further repairs.
• 1865, Sep 7: The ship was remeasured in Detroit, with its dimensions updated to 240 ft x 58 ft x 12.5 ft and a Gross Tonnage of 880.58 tons.
• 1866, Nov 26: The MILWAUKEE was involved in a collision with the propeller LAC LABELLE above Lake St. Clair, after which it was repaired again in Detroit.

Despite these incidents, the MILWAUKEE remained a popular vessel on Lake Michigan, known for its capacity to carry a significant number of passengers and large quantities of freight.

Final Disposition

On October 9, 1868, the MILWAUKEE met its end when it was wrecked north of the north pier in Grand Haven, Lake Michigan. At the time of the wreck, the vessel was carrying passengers and general freight. The circumstances of the wreck are not fully detailed, but the region was notorious for sudden storms and challenging navigation conditions, especially near the Grand Haven piers.

The MILWAUKEE was a Total Loss, and no reports of salvage or further recovery efforts were noted.

Located By & Date Found

Nil return. There are no confirmed reports of the wreck of the MILWAUKEE being located. Given the location near Grand Haven, remnants may still exist, though they could be buried or deteriorated due to shifting sands and lake conditions.

NOTMARs & Advisories

Nil return. No current navigational hazards related to this wreck are reported in Grand Haven, Michigan.

Resources & Links

• Maritime History of the Great Lakes
• Great Lakes Ships Database
• David Swayze Great Lakes Shipwreck File
• Edward J. Dowling Collection, University of Detroit – Mercy
• William MacDonald Collection, Dossin Great Lakes Museum, Detroit
• H. G. Runge Collection, Milwaukee Public Library

Conclusion

The MILWAUKEE exemplifies the evolution of Great Lakes steamers in the mid-19th century, serving both passenger and freight needs during a time of rapid regional development. Despite its robust construction and multiple repairs, the vessel succumbed to the perilous conditions that have claimed many ships on the Great Lakes. Its final wreck near Grand Haven adds to the maritime history of Lake Michigan, a lake known for its challenging navigation and treacherous weather.