IDENTIFICATION & SITE INFORMATION #
|
VESSEL TYPE DESCRIPTION #
The Wisconsin was a passenger and freight steamer constructed in 1852 by Presley & Stevens for Chamberlin & Crawford of Cleveland. Built with a robust wooden hull and equipped with two decks, the vessel was designed to serve the bustling transportation routes across the Great Lakes. Over its years of operation, the Wisconsin was involved in both passenger travel and the transport of goods, making it a vital part of the regional economy during its time.
HISTORY #
The Wisconsin was a steamer with a storied and tumultuous operational history, emblematic of the challenges and dangers faced by vessels navigating the Great Lakes during the 19th century. The ship’s journey began under the ownership of Chamberlin & Crawford, and from the outset, the Wisconsin was subject to the unpredictable and often harsh conditions of lake transport. In 1853, the vessel was seized by the U.S. Marshal in Milwaukee for violations of revenue laws, a reflection of the stringent regulatory environment that governed maritime operations at the time. However, the Wisconsinwas eventually released, allowing it to continue its service.
In 1855, the Wisconsin was acquired by the Northern Transportation Company, which would oversee the steamer’s operations until its tragic demise. The ship was primarily engaged in transporting passengers and goods across the Great Lakes, a critical component of the region’s economy. However, the Wisconsin’s service was marked by numerous incidents that tested its durability and the resolve of its crew. In 1856, the vessel suffered a burst water jacket on its boiler, necessitating significant repairs in Buffalo, New York. This was followed by a grounding incident in 1857 when the ship ran aground on rocks at Long Sault in the St. Lawrence River. Fortunately, the vessel was freed without major damage, allowing it to resume operations.
The challenges continued for the Wisconsin. In 1858, the steamer collided with the schooner KNAPP during a storm in Racine, Wisconsin. The collision, coupled with a broken shaft later that year, led to additional repairs, underscoring the vulnerabilities of steam navigation during this period. Despite these setbacks, the Wisconsin remained a steadfast presence on the Great Lakes, continuing its mission of transporting passengers and goods across the waterways.
However, the vessel’s luck ran out on May 21, 1867. While navigating near Grenadier Island on Lake Ontario, a fire broke out above the boilers—a perilous situation that quickly escalated. The captain, recognizing the severity of the situation, attempted to run the vessel ashore to save the passengers and crew. Unfortunately, the fire spread rapidly, engulfing the ship and turning it into a blazing inferno. The chaos and panic that ensued were compounded when passengers and crew members tried to launch a lifeboat while the vessel was still in motion. This desperate attempt to escape the flames led to many being thrown into the water.
The disaster resulted in a tragic loss of life, with at least 23 people, including the first and second engineers, drowning in the frigid waters of Lake Ontario. The Wisconsin was consumed by the fire, burning down to the water’s edge, and was declared a total loss by its owners. The vessel had been insured for $15,000, a sum that covered three-fourths of its estimated value. The wreckage of the Wisconsin near Cape Vincent served as a grim reminder of the dangers inherent in steam navigation during this era, where even routine voyages could end in catastrophe.
In the aftermath of the disaster, 22 bodies were recovered and brought to Cape Vincent by the steamer Pierrepont. The tragedy left a deep impact on the Great Lakes maritime community, underscoring the risks that sailors and passengers faced daily. The final resting place of the Wisconsin remained undiscovered for over 150 years until 2017, when Tim Caza and Dennis Gerber located the vessel’s two smokestacks approximately two and a half miles off Tibbetts Point Lighthouse in 85 feet of water. These smokestacks had fallen overboard as the fire burned through the support cables, offering a tangible link to the past and the final moments of the Wisconsin.
LOCATED BY & DATE #
Located by: Not specified; the wreck site has not been definitively identified.
Date of Discovery: Not applicable.
NOTMARs & ADVISORIES #
There are no specific Notices to Mariners (NOTMARs) related to the Wisconsin wreck site. The location of the vessel’s remains is not marked on navigational charts, and it does not pose a known hazard to current navigation.
CURRENT CONDITION & ACCESSIBILITY #
The remains of the Wisconsin have not been definitively located. Without specific knowledge of its resting place, the site is not accessible to divers or researchers. The condition of the wreck, if it still exists, is unknown.
RESOURCES & LINKS #
- David Swayze Shipwreck Database: A comprehensive source for information on shipwrecks in the Great Lakes, including the Wisconsin.
- Wrecksite.eu – Wisconsin: Provides details on the incident and the vessel’s history.
- Great Lakes Shipwrecks: Offers extensive information on historical vessels that operated on the Great Lakes, including the Wisconsin.
- Great Lakes Maritime Database: Includes historical records and documents related to the Wisconsin.
- 3D Shipwrecks: Provides resources and visualizations for Great Lakes shipwrecks, including ongoing research efforts.
CONCLUSION #
The loss of the Wisconsin on May 21, 1867, is a tragic chapter in the history of Great Lakes navigation. The fire that consumed the vessel highlights the inherent dangers faced by steamships during this era, where even a minor incident could escalate into a full-blown disaster. The deaths of at least 23 passengers and crew members serve as a somber reminder of the perilous nature of early maritime travel. Although the wreck of the Wisconsin remains undiscovered, the story of its final voyage continues to resonate within the maritime history of the Great Lakes.
wisconsin steamer, lake ontario shipwreck, 1867 shipwreck, great lakes maritime history, passenger and freight vessel, steamship fire, cape vincent wreck