Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: Milwaukee
- Type: Steel steam car ferry
- Year Built: 1902
- Builder: American Shipbuilding Co.
- Dimensions: 338 ft (103 m); Beam 56 ft; Depth of hold 19.5 ft
- Registered Tonnage: 2,933 gross tons
- Depth at Wreck Site: 38.1 m / 125 ft
- Location: Approximately 3 miles off Milwaukee, Lake Michigan
- Official Number: 93363
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
Steel-hulled railroad car ferry designed for transporting railcars across Lake Michigan.
Description
The Milwaukee was a steel steam car ferry built in 1902, measuring approximately 338 feet in length and 56 feet in beam. It had a gross tonnage of about 2,933 tons and was equipped with twin-screw propulsion. The ferry was capable of carrying up to 30 railcars, along with crew and limited passenger accommodations.
History
The Milwaukee was constructed by the American Shipbuilding Company in Cleveland, Ohio. It served the route between Milwaukee and Grand Haven, Michigan, primarily transporting freight, including lumber, perishables, and automobiles.
Significant Incidents
- On October 22, 1929, the Milwaukee departed Milwaukee fully loaded with approximately 27 railcars.
- While at sea, the vessel encountered a sudden northeast gale with winds reaching approximately 37 mph.
- Some of the loaded railcars became unsecured, damaging the stern sea gate and allowing seawater to flood the crew and machinery decks.
- Despite the captain’s attempts to return to port, the flooding overwhelmed the pumps, and the vessel sank by approximately 9:30-9:45 PM.
- All 52 crew members aboard were lost, with about 15 bodies later recovered.
Final Disposition
The wreck of the Milwaukee was discovered in 1972, lying upright at a depth of approximately 85 to 125 feet. It remains largely intact, with some railcars and automobiles still visible on the deck.
Current Condition & Accessibility
Divers have visited the wreck, which is accessible at a depth of around 120 feet. The site is significant due to its historical context as the deadliest shipwreck involving a rail car ferry on the Great Lakes.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”milwaukee-us-93363″ title=”References & Links”]
The sinking of the Milwaukee represents a tragic event in maritime history, highlighting the dangers of transporting unsecured cargo in severe weather conditions. The wreck serves as a reminder of the importance of safety protocols in maritime operations.
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 1902; lost October 22, 1929, Steel-hulled railroad car ferry, Lake Michigan
Vessel Overview
- Built: December 1902 by American Shipbuilding Co., Cleveland, Ohio
- Official No.: 93363
- Type: Steel steam car ferry, ~338 ft long, 56 ft beam, ~2,933 gross tons, twin-screw propulsion
- Capacity: Held up to 30 railcars, plus crew and limited passenger accommodation
Final Voyage & Loss — October 22, 1929
- Departure: Left Milwaukee around 2:00–3:00 PM bound for Grand Haven, fully loaded with ~27 railcars carrying freight like lumber, perishables, Nash automobiles, and bathtubs
- Incident: Encountered a sudden northeast gale (~37 mph). At sea, some loaded cars came loose, severely damaged the stern sea gate, allowing seawater to flood into crew and machinery decks
- Outcome: Captain McKay attempted to turn back, but water overwhelmed pumps. The vessel sank by approximately 9:30–9:45 PM, roughly three miles off Milwaukee
- Loss: All 52 crew members lost; no survivors. About 15 bodies recovered.
Summary Table
| Field | Details |
|---|---|
| Vessel Name | Milwaukee |
| Built | 1902, Cleveland, OH (American Shipbuilding Co.) |
| Official Number | 93363 |
| Specs | Steel ferry, ~338 × 56 × 19.5 ft; ~2,933 gt |
| Route | Milwaukee → Grand Haven |
| Departure Time | ~2:00–3:00 PM, Oct 22, 1929 |
| Cargo | ~27 railcars: lumber, autos, perishables, bathtubs |
| Cause of Loss | Storm-induced cargo shift, sea gate failure, flooding, sinking |
| Location of Sinking | ~3 mi off Milwaukee in Lake Michigan |
| Crew Casualties | 52 aboard; all lost |
| Wreck Location | Discovered in 1972 off Milwaukee; upright at 85–125 ft depth |
Context & Significance
- This was the deadliest Great Lakes shipwreck involving a rail car ferry, and among the worst maritime disasters on Lake Michigan.
- The investigation concluded that the carriage of unsecured railcars and a structurally vulnerable sea gate contributed to catastrophic failure in heavy seas. The vessel lacked radio communication, with no warnings or SOS signals sent.
- Wreck visited by divers at depth ~120 ft; remains upright and intact. Some railcars and automobiles are still on deck.
Additional Research Leads
- Maritime casualty reports and Coast Guard records from 1929 for detail on cargo failure and official findings
- Grand Trunk Car Ferry Company archives for loading practices and safety protocols
- Contemporary newspaper archives (e.g., Milwaukee Journal, Chicago Tribune) covering accident investigation, crew lists, and mechanical failures
- Dive survey logs and photogrammetric documentation of wreck condition—especially car deck layout, sea gate damage, and preserved cargo
Conclusion
The SS Milwaukee departed Milwaukee on October 22, 1929, heavily loaded with railcars and crew. In a fierce Lake Michigan storm, shifting cars broke the sea gate, allowing catastrophic flooding. The vessel sank within hours; all aboard were lost. Later analysis highlighted mechanical failure under load and inadequate safety design. The wreck now lies submerged in Lake Michigan and remains a tragic chapter in maritime and railroad ferry history
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