Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: Alice E. Wilds
- Type: Wooden steam screw lumber steamer
- Year Built: 1883
- Builder: Sullivan & Lobe, Toledo, Ohio
- Dimensions: Length 136 ft (41.5 m); Beam 26 ft (7.9 m); Depth of hold 11 ft (3.4 m)
- Registered Tonnage: 292.86 tons
- Depth at Wreck Site: 91 m / 300 ft
- Location: Approximately 18 nautical miles off Milwaukee, Wisconsin
- Official Number: 106070
- Original Owners: A.E. Wilds of Chicago
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
Wooden steam screw lumber steamer.
Description
The ALICE E. WILDS was a wooden steam screw steamer constructed in 1883 by Sullivan & Lobe in Toledo, Ohio. Designed primarily for the lumber trade, she measured 136 feet (41.5 metres) in length, with a beam of 26 feet (7.9 metres) and a depth of 11 feet (3.4 metres), registering a gross tonnage of 292.86. Owned by A.E. Wilds of Chicago, the vessel was under the command of Captain Barney Wilds at the time of her loss.
History
On June 12, 1892, the ALICE E. WILDS was en route from Escanaba, Michigan, to Chicago, Illinois, carrying a cargo of lumber. In the early morning hours, while navigating through heavy fog approximately 18 nautical miles off the coast of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, she collided with the passenger steamer DOUGLAS, which was bound from Milwaukee to Muskegon, Michigan. Despite the limited visibility, both vessels were reportedly traveling at high speeds. The lookouts on neither vessel spotted the other until they were within a few rods of each other, leaving insufficient time to avert the collision.
The impact caused significant damage to the ALICE E. WILDS, leading her to sink rapidly—within approximately 15 minutes—in deep water. Fortunately, all crew members were rescued by the DOUGLAS, and no fatalities were reported. Subsequent investigations attributed the accident to negligence, resulting in the revocation of both captains’ licenses for dereliction of duty.
Significant Incidents
- Collision with the passenger steamer DOUGLAS in heavy fog on June 12, 1892.
- All crew members rescued; no loss of life reported.
- Both captains’ licenses revoked due to negligence.
Final Disposition
Declared a total loss due to the collision, the ALICE E. WILDS sank in approximately 300 feet (91 metres) of water in Lake Michigan. The wreck remained undiscovered for over a century. In May 2015, a team of wreck hunters led by Tamara Thomsen located the wreckage, identifying it as the ALICE E. WILDS.
Current Condition & Accessibility
No current navigational warnings or official markers exist for the wreck site of the ALICE E. WILDS in Lake Michigan.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”alice-e-wilds-us-106070″ title=”References & Links” show_ref_button=”yes”]
The sinking of the ALICE E. WILDS serves as a somber reminder of the perils of maritime navigation in the Great Lakes, particularly the dangers posed by limited visibility conditions such as heavy fog. The incident underscores the importance of vigilant navigation and adherence to safety protocols. The eventual discovery of the wreck in 2015 contributes valuable insights into 19th-century shipbuilding and the historical narrative of Great Lakes shipping.
Legacy Notes & Full Historical Record
This section preserves the original unedited Shotline content for this wreck so that no historical detail is lost as we transition to the new logbook format.
ALICE E. WILDS (1883–1892)
Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: ALICE E. WILDS
- Former Names: None
- Official Number: 106070
- Date Built and Launched: 1883
- Builder: Sullivan & Lobe, Toledo, Ohio
- Measurements:
- Length: 136 feet (41.5 metres)
- Beam: 26 feet (7.9 metres)
- Depth: 11 feet (3.4 metres)
- Gross Tonnage: 292.86 tons
- Date Lost: June 12, 1892
- Cause: Collision in heavy fog
- Cargo at Time of Loss: Lumber
- Place of Loss: Lake Michigan, approximately 18 nautical miles (33 km) off Milwaukee, Wisconsin
- Loss of Life: None(Great Lakes Shipwreck Files, Wikipedia, wisconsinshipwrecks.org)
Vessel Type
Wooden steam screw lumber steamer(wuaa.org)
Description
The ALICE E. WILDS was a wooden steam screw steamer constructed in 1883 by Sullivan & Lobe in Toledo, Ohio. Designed primarily for the lumber trade, she measured 136 feet (41.5 metres) in length, with a beam of 26 feet (7.9 metres) and a depth of 11 feet (3.4 metres), registering a gross tonnage of 292.86. Owned by A.E. Wilds of Chicago, the vessel was under the command of Captain Barney Wilds at the time of her loss.(Great Lakes Shipwreck Files)
History
On June 12, 1892, the ALICE E. WILDS was en route from Escanaba, Michigan, to Chicago, Illinois, carrying a cargo of lumber. In the early morning hours, while navigating through heavy fog approximately 18 nautical miles (33 km) off the coast of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, she collided with the passenger steamer DOUGLAS, which was bound from Milwaukee to Muskegon, Michigan. Despite the limited visibility, both vessels were reportedly traveling at high speeds. The lookouts on neither vessel spotted the other until they were within a few rods of each other, leaving insufficient time to avert the collision. (wisconsinshipwrecks.org)
The impact caused significant damage to the ALICE E. WILDS, leading her to sink rapidly—within approximately 15 minutes—in deep water. Fortunately, all crew members were rescued by the DOUGLAS, and no fatalities were reported. Subsequent investigations attributed the accident to negligence, resulting in the revocation of both captains’ licenses for dereliction of duty. (Great Lakes Shipwreck Files)
Final Disposition
Declared a total loss due to the collision, the ALICE E. WILDS sank in approximately 300 feet (91 metres) of water in Lake Michigan. The wreck remained undiscovered for over a century. In May 2015, a team of wreck hunters led by Tamara Thomsen located the wreckage, identifying it as the ALICE E. WILDS. (Wikipedia, wisconsinshipwrecks.org)
Located By & Date Found
- Located By: Tamara Thomsen and team
- Date Found: May 2015
- Coordinates: Not publicly disclosed(baylor-ir.tdl.org)
Notmars & Advisories
No current navigational warnings or official markers exist for the wreck site of the ALICE E. WILDS in Lake Michigan.
Resources & Links
- Wisconsin Shipwrecks – Alice E. Wilds
- Steamship Alice E. Wilds – Shipwreck Explorers
- Wreck hunters say they’ve discovered 133-year-old shipwreck in Lake Michigan
- Great Lakes Shipwreck Files – W
Conclusion
The sinking of the ALICE E. WILDS serves as a somber reminder of the perils of maritime navigation in the Great Lakes, particularly the dangers posed by limited visibility conditions such as heavy fog. The incident underscores the importance of vigilant navigation and adherence to safety protocols. The eventual discovery of the wreck in 2015 contributes valuable insights into 19th-century shipbuilding and the historical narrative of Great Lakes shipping.(Wikipedia)
Suggested Keywords, Categories, and Glossary Terms
- Keywords: ALICE E. WILDS, Lake Michigan shipwreck, 1892 collision, steamer DOUGLAS, lumber steamer, maritime accident
- Categories: Great Lakes Shipwrecks, Maritime Disasters, Wooden Steamers
- Glossary Terms:
- Steam Screw Steamer: A steam-powered vessel propelled by a screw propeller.
- Dereliction of Duty: Failure to fulfill one’s obligations or responsibilities, especially in a professional context.
- Total Loss: A term indicating that a vessel is considered completely destroyed or beyond repair.(wuaa.org)
Note: If you require information on other shipwrecks or maritime history topics, feel free to ask.
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