Milwaukee US 16619

Shotline Diving Wreck Profile

• Name: MILWAUKEE
• Type: Steamer (Sidewheel)
• Year Built: 1859
• Builder: Mason & Bidwell, Buffalo, New York
• Dimensions: Length: 239 ft (72.85 m); Beam: 34 ft 4 in (10.46 m); Depth of hold: 12 ft 2 in (3.71 m)
• Registered Tonnage: 1039 31/95 tons
• Location: North of the north pier in Grand Haven, Lake Michigan
• Official Number: 16619
• Original Owners: Julius Morris, Buffalo, NY
• Number of Masts: 2

Wreck Location Map

Vessel Type

The MILWAUKEE was a sidewheel steamer designed for passenger and freight service on Lake Michigan.

Description

The MILWAUKEE was launched in 1859 and was built with a focus on luxury and reliability, intended to serve year-round despite harsh conditions. It operated primarily between Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and Grand Haven, Michigan.

History

Shortly after its launch, the vessel was enrolled in Milwaukee on August 22, 1859, under the ownership of the Lake Michigan Transit Co.. The ship quickly became a prominent fixture on the Milwaukee-Grand Haven route, offering reliable transportation for both passengers and general cargo.

However, the MILWAUKEE‘s operational history was fraught with accidents and collisions:

• 1859, Nov 28: Ran aground at Grand Haven, Lake Michigan. The vessel was subsequently repaired in Chicago, Illinois.
• 1861: The upper cabins were added by Shearer Brothers in Detroit, enhancing passenger accommodations.
• 1862, May 30: The vessel struck a pier in Milwaukee, requiring further repairs.
• 1865, Sep 7: The ship was remeasured in Detroit, with its dimensions updated to 240 ft x 58 ft x 12.5 ft and a gross tonnage of 880.58 tons.
• 1866, Nov 26: The MILWAUKEE was involved in a collision with the propeller LAC LABELLE above Lake St. Clair, after which it was repaired again in Detroit.

Despite these incidents, the MILWAUKEE remained a popular vessel on Lake Michigan, known for its capacity to carry a significant number of passengers and large quantities of freight.

Significant Incidents

• 1859: Ran aground at Grand Haven, repaired in Chicago.
• 1861: Upper cabins added in Detroit.
• 1862: Struck a pier in Milwaukee.
• 1865: Remeasured in Detroit.
• 1866: Collision with LAC LABELLE.

Final Disposition

On October 9, 1868, the MILWAUKEE was wrecked north of the north pier in Grand Haven, Lake Michigan, while carrying passengers and general freight. The wreck occurred in an area known for sudden storms and challenging navigation conditions. The MILWAUKEE was a total loss, and no reports of salvage or recovery efforts were noted.

Current Condition & Accessibility

There are no confirmed reports of the wreck of the MILWAUKEE being located. Given the location near Grand Haven, remnants may still exist, though they could be buried or deteriorated due to shifting sands and lake conditions.

Resources & Links

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The MILWAUKEE exemplifies the evolution of Great Lakes steamers in the mid-19th century, serving both passenger and freight needs during a time of rapid regional development. Despite its robust construction and multiple repairs, the vessel succumbed to the perilous conditions that have claimed many ships on the Great Lakes.