Shotline Diving Wreck Profile

• Name: Josephine
• Type: Steam Sand Scow
• Year Built: 1874
• Builder: Allan/McClelland & Co., Milwaukee
• Dimensions: ~99 ft length, beam ~25 ft, depth ~6.5 ft
• Registered Tonnage: ~146 GRT
• Location: Whitefish Bay, Milwaukee County, Lake Michigan
• Coordinates: N 43° 05.594′ W 87° 52.316′
• Official Number: 75763
• Original Owners: H. R. Bond Company, Milwaukee
• Number of Masts: Not specified

Wreck Location Map

Vessel Type

Steam sand scow Josephine (sometimes described as a propeller or schooner) was designed for sand-sucking operations.

Description

The Josephine was built in 1874 by Allan/McClelland & Co. in Milwaukee. It measured approximately 99 feet in length, with a beam of about 25 feet and a depth of around 6.5 feet. The vessel had a registered tonnage of approximately 146 gross tons.

History

The Josephine was owned by the H. R. Bond Company of Milwaukee. It served primarily in the sand-sucking industry until its loss in April 1888.

Significant Incidents

• Date of Wreck: Mid-April 1888
• The vessel ran aground on a rock in Whitefish Bay while loaded with sand, approximately three miles below North Point, Milwaukee.
• The crew of four escaped in a small boat and reached shore safely before returning to salvage gear.
• The vessel settled and sank at the site, and was declared ‘wrecked’ by authorities, with enrollment surrendered on April 17, 1888.

Final Disposition

The wreck of the Josephine lies in relatively shallow, nearshore waters of Whitefish Bay, Milwaukee County, Lake Michigan. It has been identified through historical records and is reported to be upright and largely intact, though mostly buried in silt and sand.

Current Condition & Accessibility

No recent modern survey has visually located the wreck, but it is documented in Wisconsin’s shipwreck archives. The wreck remains largely intact and is accessible for diving, although conditions may vary.

Resources & Links

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The Josephine serves as a historical reminder of the maritime activities in the Great Lakes region during the late 19th century. Divers interested in exploring this wreck should prepare for potentially silted conditions.