Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: Nebraska
- Type: Wooden brig (two-masted)
- Year Built: 1849
- Builder: Hubbell in Milwaukee, Wisconsin
- Dimensions: 121 ft (36.88 m) length × 24 ft beam × 9 ft depth; approx. 241 tons burden
- Registered Tonnage: None recorded
- Location: Milwaukee Bay, Lake Michigan
- Official Number: None recorded
- Original Owners: Wm. B. Hibbard (Chicago)
- Number of Masts: Two
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
The Nebraska was a wooden brig, characterized by its two masts and designed for cargo transport across the Great Lakes.
Description
Built in 1849 by Hubbell in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, the Nebraska measured 121 feet in length, 24 feet in beam, and had a depth of 9 feet. It was approximately 241 tons burden and was primarily used for transporting goods.
History
The Nebraska was owned by Wm. B. Hibbard of Chicago and was insured by the North Western Insurance Company for $4,500. It was carrying a cargo of bricks destined for Chicago at the time of its loss.
Significant Incidents
- Date & Location: October 20, 1856, in foggy conditions near Milwaukee Bay, Lake Michigan.
- Cause: Struck by the Western Transportation Line propeller Oriental while inbound in dense fog.
- Aftermath: Sank in the bay, lying submerged with the deck above water; crew survived and no casualties reported.
- Legal Outcome: A court later found the propeller at fault for failing to navigate with sufficient caution in fog.
Final Disposition
After the collision, the Nebraska sank but remained partially visible above the water for a time, allowing for some salvage operations before it eventually broke apart.
Current Condition & Accessibility
The current condition of the wreck is not well-documented, but it is confirmed to be submerged in Milwaukee Bay.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”nebraska-1849″ title=”References & Links”]
The Nebraska serves as a significant historical example of the navigational challenges faced by early Great Lakes commerce, particularly regarding the interaction between sail and steam vessels in poor visibility conditions.
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.
Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: Nebraska
- Built: 1849, by Hubbell in Milwaukee, Wisconsin
- Type: Wooden brig (two-masted)
- Dimensions: 121 ft length × 24 ft beam × 9 ft depth; approx. 241 tons burden
- Official Number: None recorded
Loss Incident & Details
- Date & Location: October 20, 1856, in foggy conditions near Milwaukee Bay, Lake Michigan
- Cause: Struck by the Western Transportation Line propeller Oriental while inbound in dense fog
- Cargo: Bricks, en route to Chicago
- Aftermath: Sank in the bay, lying submerged with deck above water; crew survived and no casualties reported
- Ownership: Owned by Wm. B. Hibbard (Chicago); insured by North Western Insurance Company for $4,500
- Legal Outcome: A court later found the propeller at fault for failing to navigate with sufficient caution in fog (Great Lakes Shipwreck Files, wisconsinshipwrecks.org)
Significance & Legacy
- The collision highlights the navigational dangers of mixed sail-steam traffic in early Great Lakes commerce, particularly during limited visibility conditions.
- As one of the earliest recorded collisions involving sail vessels and propeller steamers near Milwaukee, the case influenced later regulations on fog navigation.
- Despite sinking, her partial deck remained exposed temporarily, allowing for visibility and later partial salvage before breaking apart (Great Lakes Shipwreck Files)
Archival & Research Gaps
- Crew Roster: Master and hands unrecorded—enrollment documents in Chicago or Milwaukee likely hold names
- Court Documents: Marine court records from Milwaukee may detail the liability ruling and penalties against the Oriental
- Salvage Records: Newspaper accounts may note the raising, salvage of cargo, or fragment removal
- Fog Navigation Protocols: Vessel log entries or steamship operational procedures from Western Transportation Line could reveal pre-collision practices
Recommended Next Steps
- Archive Searches:
- Milwaukee Marine Court or Customs House records (1856)
- Chicago and Milwaukee newspapers (mid-Oct 1856)
- Insurance Files:
- Claim documents from North Western Insurance Co. (Chicago)
- Marine Regulations Context:
- Review mid‑19th-century steamship fog navigation protocols and subsequent regulatory changes