Shotline Diving Wreck Profile

• Name: Four Brothers
• Type: Wooden lumber schooner
• Year Built: 1870
• Builder: Likely at a Milwaukee-area shipyard
• Dimensions: Estimated 90–110 ft (27.4–33.5 m); Beam; Depth of hold
• Registered Tonnage: Estimated 150–200 gross tons
• Location: Lake Michigan
• Original Owners: Home Port: Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Wreck Location Map

Vessel Type

Four Brothers was a wooden lumber schooner, a common vessel type used for transporting timber across the Great Lakes.

Description

Built in 1870, Four Brothers was based in Milwaukee and was typical of its type, designed for carrying lumber. The vessel was estimated to be between 90 and 110 feet in length and had a gross tonnage of approximately 150 to 200 tons.

History

The Four Brothers was constructed in 1870, likely at a shipyard in the Milwaukee area. It served primarily in the lumber trade, transporting goods from the forests of the Great Lakes region.

Significant Incidents

• Date of Loss: October 28, 1892
• Route: Laden with lumber, returning to Milwaukee or en route along Lake Michigan
• Weather: Hit by a heavy northwest gale, common on Lake Michigan in late October
• Outcome: Stranded ashore due to the gale; classified as a total wreck, no salvage attempted—likely crew abandoned safely.

Final Disposition

After being driven ashore by the gale, the Four Brothers was classified as a total loss. Records indicate that the crew survived the incident, and the vessel was abandoned without salvage attempts.

Current Condition & Accessibility

The current condition of the wreck is unknown, as no salvage operations were reported. Further research may be needed to determine if any remains of the vessel still exist.

Resources & Links

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The Four Brothers serves as a reminder of the perils faced by vessels on the Great Lakes, particularly during the stormy autumn months. Ongoing research may uncover more details about its construction, crew, and the circumstances surrounding its loss.