The CITY OF MILWAUKEE was a schooner built in 1861 by Peck & Masters in Cleveland, Ohio. Originally constructed as a bark, it had three masts and was primarily used for transporting cargo on the Great Lakes. The vessel had the following specifications: it measured 141 feet in length, 30 feet in width, and had a depth of 12 feet. It had a tonnage of 316 net tons (436 gross tons).
On November 5, 1875, while carrying a cargo of limestone and bound for Marquette, the CITY OF MILWAUKEE encountered stormy conditions on Lake Huron. The schooner began to leak, and despite efforts to control the water ingress, it ultimately foundered. The crew members abandoned ship and took to the vessel’s yawl boat. They were later rescued by the passing schooner MARY L. HIGGIE. Fortunately, there were no casualties reported as a result of the incident.
Throughout its history, the ownership of the CITY OF MILWAUKEE changed hands multiple times. It was initially owned by Charles Ensign and others in Buffalo, New York. Over the years, it passed through different owners, including Nims & Gibson of Buffalo and D.D. Hannett. By 1874, the vessel was under the ownership of Elisha Eldred of Chicago. The master of the schooner at the time of its loss was Captain Joseph Wilson, also from Chicago.
The CITY OF MILWAUKEE’s career spanned approximately 14 years before meeting its demise. The sinking of the vessel serves as a reminder of the challenges and risks faced by sailors and vessels navigating the Great Lakes, particularly during stormy weather conditions.
