Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: Eva M. Cone
- Type: Schooner
- Year Built: 1859
- Builder: Oconto, Wisconsin
- Dimensions: 51 ft (15.5 m) L × 14 ft (4.3 m) beam × 5 ft (1.5 m) depth
- Registered Tonnage: Approx. 22 tons
- Location: Near Milwaukee Harbor, Wisconsin
- Official Number: 7522
- Number of Masts: Two-masted
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
The Eva M. Cone was a two-masted wooden schooner primarily used for the lumber trade. Built in 1859, she was typical of small-scale schooners of her era, designed for harbor-to-harbor transport.
Description
Measuring 51 feet in length with a beam of 14 feet and a depth of 5 feet, the Eva M. Cone was constructed to carry approximately 22 tons of cargo, primarily lumber. Her design was suited for navigating the waters of Lake Michigan.
History
Built in Oconto, Wisconsin, the Eva M. Cone regularly transported wood across Lake Michigan. Prior to her final voyage, she sustained minor damage, including losing her deck load in December 1871 and her foretop in April 1872. She departed Port Washington bound for Milwaukee when disaster struck.
Significant Incidents
- On April 22, 1872, while clearing the pier, the jibboom broke, pushing the vessel off course toward shore.
- A heavy northerly storm brought ice onto the mouth of Milwaukee Harbor, causing the Eva M. Cone to strike an ice floe, capsize, and sink shortly after noon.
- All crew members made it safely into the vessel’s boat and reached shore; no lives were lost.
Final Disposition
The Eva M. Cone capsized and sank, later drifting ashore. An official abandonment was recorded in Milwaukee on April 20, 1872, stating ‘Total Loss.’ There is no record of salvage or site survey, but the wreck may be located in shallow waters near Milwaukee harbor.
Current Condition & Accessibility
The current condition of the wreck is unknown, with no documented salvage efforts. It is believed that the remains may be accessible in shallow waters, making it a potential dive site for those interested in maritime history.
Resources & Links
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The Eva M. Cone met an abrupt end after striking ice near Milwaukee amid heavy northerly weather on April 22, 1872. Despite no fatalities, her capsizing and sinking reflect the dangers of early-season ice flows. Her remains—potentially nearshore—offer an accessible dive target and a tangible link to mid-19th-century lumber schooners. A combined archival investigation and geophysical survey could reveal her submerged story.
Full Wreck Record — complete historical article, construction details, voyage logs, incident reports, dive conditions, and all research sources.
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