Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: Prince
- Type: Fishing Schooner
- Year Built:
- Builder:
- Dimensions: Length X ft (Y m); Beam; Depth of hold
- Registered Tonnage:
- Location: Bradford Beach, north of Milwaukee, Wisconsin
- Number of Masts: Two
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
Vessel Type:
The Prince was a fishing schooner, a common vessel type on Lake Michigan during the 19th century, designed for commercial fishing.
Description
Description:
The Prince was a two-masted, wooden-hulled fishing schooner equipped with large decks for handling nets and storing the catch. These vessels were built to be sturdy and maneuverable to withstand the unpredictable conditions of the Great Lakes.
History
History:
Fishing schooners like the Prince played a vital role in the commercial fishing industry on Lake Michigan, targeting species such as lake trout, whitefish, and perch. The Prince likely operated out of Milwaukee or nearby ports, conducting fishing expeditions along the western shoreline.
Significant Incidents
Significant Incidents:
– Rescue of the Alma Crew (1892): On May 18, 1892, the Prince rescued the three-man crew of the scow-schooner Alma, which had capsized in a blizzard-gale near Bradford Beach. The Alma was carrying gravel when it capsized in 15-20 feet of water. The crew clung to the upturned hull for hours before being rescued by the Prince, which underscores the maritime community’s reliance on one another during emergencies.
Final Disposition
Final Disposition:
While detailed records about the Prince are sparse, its involvement in the 1892 rescue highlights its significance in maritime safety and the commercial fishing industry on the Great Lakes.
Current Condition & Accessibility
Current Condition & Accessibility:
The current condition of the Prince is not documented, and further research into local maritime archives may provide more information about its construction and operational history.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”fishing-schooner-prince” title=”References & Links”]
Conclusion:
The fishing schooner Prince represents the unsung heroes of the Great Lakes maritime community, contributing to both the economic vitality of the region and playing critical roles in rescue efforts during maritime emergencies.
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.
Overview:
The Prince was a fishing schooner operating on Lake Michigan in the late 19th century. While specific details about the vessel’s construction and operational history are limited, it is most notably recognized for its rescue of the crew of the scow-schooner Alma on May 18, 1892, near Bradford Beach, just north of Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
Role in the Great Lakes Fishing Industry:
Fishing schooners like the Prince were a common sight on Lake Michigan during the 19th century, supporting the region’s thriving commercial fishing industry. These vessels typically targeted species such as lake trout, whitefish, and perch, which were abundant in the Great Lakes and vital to both local economies and broader markets.
- Design: Fishing schooners were generally two-masted, wooden-hulled vessels equipped with large decks for handling nets and storing the catch. They were built to be sturdy and maneuverable to withstand the unpredictable conditions of the Great Lakes.
- Operations: The Prince likely operated out of Milwaukee or nearby ports, conducting daily or multi-day fishing expeditions along the western shoreline of Lake Michigan.
Notable Incident – Rescue of the Alma Crew (1892):
- Date: May 18, 1892
- Event: The Prince played a crucial role in the rescue of the three-man crew of the scow-schooner Alma, which had capsized in a blizzard-gale near Bradford Beach, north of Milwaukee.
- Details of the Rescue:
- The Alma had been carrying a load of gravel when she was driven into the shallows, capsizing and sinking in 15-20 feet of water.
- The crew clung to the upturned hull of the Alma for several hours, exposed to the cold and rough conditions of Lake Michigan.
- The Prince, likely returning from or heading to a fishing expedition, spotted the distressed sailors and successfully rescued all three crew members, bringing them safely back to Milwaukee.
- Significance: The quick response by the Prince underscores the tight-knit maritime community on the Great Lakes, where fishing crews and commercial sailors often relied on one another in emergencies. The incident highlights the dangerous conditions faced not only by freight vessels but also by fishing boats operating in close proximity to shore.
Further Information and Legacy:
While detailed records about the Prince are sparse, fishing schooners like her were vital to both the commercial fishing industry and maritime safety on the Great Lakes. The Prince‘s involvement in the 1892 rescue of the Alma‘s crew is a testament to the courage and seamanship of those who worked the lakes during this period.
Further research into local maritime archives or Wisconsin’s historical records may reveal more about the Prince‘s construction, ownership, and broader contributions to the Great Lakes fishing industry.
Resources & Links:
- Maritime History of the Great Lakes
- Wisconsin Shipwrecks Database
- Great Lakes Vessels Database – BGSU
- Edward J. Dowling Collection, University of Detroit – Mercy
Conclusion
The fishing schooner Prince represents the unsung heroes of the Great Lakes maritime community—the everyday working vessels and crews who not only contributed to the economic vitality of the region through commercial fishing but also played critical roles in rescue efforts during maritime emergencies. The Prince‘s rescue of the Alma‘s crew in 1892 is a poignant reminder of the perils of life on the lakes and the courageous spirit of those who navigated them.
Keywords: Fishing Schooner Prince, Alma Rescue, Lake Michigan Maritime History, Milwaukee Fishing Industry, Great Lakes Rescue
Categories: Great Lakes Fishing Vessels, Maritime Rescues, 19th Century Lake Michigan History
Glossary Terms: Fishing Schooner, Maritime Rescue, Capsize, Great Lakes Fishing Industry