Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: Hiram R. Bond
- Type: Wooden-hulled steam scow (unrigged sandsucker)
- Year Built: 1888
- Builder: Milwaukee Shipyard Company, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
- Dimensions: 113 × 26 × 7.7 ft (34.4 × 7.9 × 2.3 m); Beam; Depth of hold
- Registered Tonnage: ~230 gt
- Depth at Wreck Site: 6.1 m / 20 ft
- Location: Just off North Point Light, Milwaukee, Lake Michigan
- Official Number: 95966
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
Type: Wooden-hulled steam scow (unrigged sandsucker)
Description
The Hiram R. Bond was built in 1888 by the Milwaukee Shipyard Company. It measured approximately 113 feet in length, 26 feet in beam, and had a depth of hold of 7.7 feet. The vessel was registered at approximately 230 gross tons.
History
The Hiram R. Bond served primarily as a workboat in the Great Lakes region. Its design as a sandsucker made it suitable for dredging and other marine construction tasks.
Significant Incidents
- Date of Loss: May 29, 1905
- Location: Heavy fog while entering the harbor at Milwaukee, Lake Michigan
- Incident: Collided with the large car ferry Pere Marquette 20 and was rammed and sunk
- Crew: All saved—rescued by the ferry
Final Disposition
The Hiram R. Bond lies broken and scattered just off North Point Light in approximately 20 feet of water. The wreckage remains in shallow water near shore, making it accessible for survey or dive documentation.
Current Condition & Accessibility
The wreck is in a condition that allows for exploration and documentation. Its location in shallow waters makes it a suitable site for divers and researchers.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”hiram-r-bond-us-95966″ title=”References & Links”]
The Hiram R. Bond, a Milwaukee-built wooden sandsucker, was rammed and sunk in dense fog on May 29, 1905, by the ferry Pere Marquette 20 as she attempted to enter Milwaukee harbor. All crew survived, rescued by the ferry’s crew. Her remains lie accessible just off North Point Light, serving as a tangible reminder of late 19th/early 20th-century maritime risks in busy Great Lakes ports.
Full Wreck Record — complete historical article, construction details, voyage logs, incident reports, dive conditions, and all research sources.
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