Shotline Diving

Connecting You to the Depths of the Great Lakes

Hiram R. Bond US 95966

Explore the wreck of the Hiram R. Bond, a wooden scow sunk in 1905 after a collision in dense fog. Accessible site near North Point Light.

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.

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.

Built 1888 – Sunk May 29, 1905)

Identification & Vessel Details

  • Type: Wooden-hulled steam scow (unrigged sandsucker)
  • Official Number: 95966
  • Built: 1888 by Milwaukee Shipyard Company, Milwaukee, Wisconsin; approx 113 × 26 × 7.7 ft; ~230 gt (Great Lakes Shipwreck Files).

Final Voyage & Sinking

  • 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 (Wikipedia).

Wreck Location & Condition

  • Wreck Site: Lies broken and scattered just off North Point Light in 20 ft of water (wisconsinshipwrecks.org).
  • Current Condition: Wreckage remains in shallow water near shore, making it accessible for survey or dive documentation.

Significance & Themes

  • Exemplifies navigation hazards in heavy fog—especially the collision risk between small workboats and large ferries entering busy ports.
  • The incident underscores the importance of fog protocols and navigation aids in early 20th-century Great Lakes shipping.

Sources

  • List of shipwrecks in 1905 – notes sinking after collision with ferry (Wikipedia)
  • Wisconsin historic shipwreck survey – confirms current wreck condition (wisconsinshipwrecks.org)
  • Milwaukee marine incident logs – rescue and collision details (Links to the Past)
  • Great Lakes Shipwreck Files entry – foundational details on vessel and sinking (Great Lakes Shipwreck Files)

Research Gaps & Recommendations

  • Official collision report by U.S. Coast Guard or Pere Marquette Railroad
  • Milwaukee newspapers from late May 1905 for eyewitness rescue accounts
  • Archaeological site survey of shallow wreck remains for documentation or preservation

Conclusion

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.

hiram-r-bond-us-95966 1905-05-29 14:50:00