Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: Milwaukee
- Type: Propeller-driven vessel
- Year Built: 1852
- Builder:
- Dimensions: 185 ft (56.4 m) X 29 ft (8.8 m); Depth: 12 ft (3.7 m)
- Registered Tonnage:
- Depth at Wreck Site: 28.9 m / 95 ft
- Location: Near Straits of Mackinac, Lake Michigan
- Official Number: Not Available
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
The Milwaukee was an early Great Lakes propeller vessel designed to carry passengers and cargo. It utilized a wooden hull and steam-driven propeller, reflecting the technological advancements of mid-19th century maritime engineering.
Description
Built in 1852, the Milwaukee was an important vessel for its time, facilitating transportation and commerce on the Great Lakes. However, on November 16, 1859, the ship sank during a gale on Lake Michigan, near the Straits of Mackinac. The loss was attributed to the severe weather, which overwhelmed the vessel.
Following the sinking, the engine and boiler were salvaged, leaving the wreck in a disarticulated state. Despite the recovery of these components, significant portions of the vessel remain on the lakebed, providing valuable historical and archaeological insights.
History
The wreck lies at a depth of 95 ft (28.9 m) in Lake Michigan, near Michigan’s northern waters.
Significant Incidents
- The hull is split, and the wreckage is scattered.
- Intact features include:
- Hogging arches, a structural element used to prevent the hull from sagging or hogging.
- Anchor windlass and capstan, critical for anchor operations and docking.
- Horned rudder and propeller, remnants of the vessel’s propulsion and steering systems.
Final Disposition
The wreck is known among diving communities and maritime historians. It has been documented through studies like those by 3D Shipwrecks and remains a significant site for exploring the history of early Great Lakes propeller vessels.
Current Condition & Accessibility
The depth of the site makes it suitable for intermediate to advanced divers. Due to its fragmented state, divers should proceed with caution to avoid disturbing the fragile remains. As a protected site, the removal of artifacts is prohibited.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”milwaukee-1852″ title=”References & Links”]
Overall, the Milwaukee serves as a reminder of the maritime history of the Great Lakes and offers divers a unique opportunity to explore a significant shipwreck.
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.
Identification & Site Information:
- Name(s): Milwaukee
- Registry: United States
- Official Number: Not Available
- Vessel Type: Propeller-driven vessel
- Year Built: 1852
- Year Sank: 1859
- Hull Material: Wood
- Engines: None (engine and boiler salvaged post-sinking)
- Dimensions:
- Length: 185 ft (56.4 m)
- Width: 29 ft (8.8 m)
- Depth: 12 ft (3.7 m)
Vessel Type
The Milwaukee was an early Great Lakes propeller vessel designed to carry passengers and cargo. It utilized a wooden hull and steam-driven propeller, reflecting the technological advancements of mid-19th century maritime engineering.
Description
Built in 1852, the Milwaukee was an important vessel for its time, facilitating transportation and commerce on the Great Lakes. However, on November 16, 1859, the ship sank during a gale on Lake Michigan, near the Straits of Mackinac. The loss was attributed to the severe weather, which overwhelmed the vessel.
Following the sinking, the engine and boiler were salvaged, leaving the wreck in a disarticulated state. Despite the recovery of these components, significant portions of the vessel remain on the lakebed, providing valuable historical and archaeological insights.
Final Dispositions
The wreck lies at a depth of 95 ft (28.9 m) in Lake Michigan, near Michigan’s northern waters.
• The hull is split, and the wreckage is scattered.
• Intact features include:
• Hogging arches, a structural element used to prevent the hull from sagging or hogging.
• Anchor windlass and capstan, critical for anchor operations and docking.
• Horned rudder and propeller, remnants of the vessel’s propulsion and steering systems.
Located By & Date Found
The wreck is known among diving communities and maritime historians. It has been documented through studies like those by 3D Shipwrecks and remains a significant site for exploring the history of early Great Lakes propeller vessels.
Notmars & Advisories
The depth of the site makes it suitable for intermediate to advanced divers. Due to its fragmented state, divers should proceed with caution to avoid disturbing the fragile remains. As a protected site, the removal of artifacts is prohibited.
Resources & Links
3D Model Milwaukee
Milwaukee by 3DShipwrecks on Sketchfab
Keywords, Categories, Glossary
Keywords: Milwaukee, Lake Michigan Shipwrecks, Propeller Vessel, Great Lakes Maritime History
Categories: Great Lakes Shipwrecks, Early Steam-Powered Vessels, Intermediate Diving Sites
Glossary: Hogging Arches, Anchor Windlass, Capstan, Horned Rudder, Disarticulated Wreck
milwaukee-1852 1859-11-16 07:54:00