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.
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