Shotline Diving

Connecting You to the Depths of the Great Lakes

Nor’lond US 136131

Explore the wreck of Nor’lond, a wooden package freighter that sank in 1922 during a storm near Milwaukee. Accessible dive site with historical significance.

Shotline Diving Wreck Profile

  • Name: Nor’lond
  • Type: Wooden-hulled propeller steam package freighter
  • Year Built: 1890
  • Builder: Burger & Burger, Manitowoc, WI
  • Dimensions: 152 × 25 × 18 ft (46 × 7.6 × 5.5 m)
  • Registered Tonnage: 522 grt
  • Depth at Wreck Site: 18 m / 58 ft
  • Location: ~2 mi (~3.2 km) off South Point, Milwaukee
  • Official Number: 136131
  • Original Owners: Nor’lond Lines; Frank Finsthwait

Wreck Location Map

Vessel Type

Nor’lond was a wooden package freighter with a single propeller and steam engine. Built robustly for mid-sized cargo and limited passenger service, her hull measured approximately 152 × 25 × 18 ft (46 × 7.6 × 5.5 m) after lengthening, with a gross tonnage around 522 grt.

Description

Nor’lond was a wooden package freighter designed for both freight and passenger service. The vessel was built to withstand the rigors of Great Lakes navigation, featuring a single propeller and steam engine. After being lengthened in 1893, her dimensions were approximately 152 feet in length, 25 feet in beam, and 18 feet in depth of hold.

History

  • Built in 1890 as Eugene C. Hart; was later lengthened in 1893.
  • Operated primarily on Great Lakes package freight routes.
  • Renamed Nor’lond in March 1919 after being acquired by Nor’lond Lines.
  • Returned to Great Lakes freight service in Spring 1922 under owner Frank Finsthwait.

Significant Incidents

While trying to return to shore during a late-autumn storm on November 13, 1922, Nor’lond sprang a serious leak. The crew attempted to pump water and race for refuge in Milwaukee, but the leak worsened. Crew and any passengers abandoned ship in lifeboats; the vessel sank stern-first just minutes later. There were no fatalities.

Final Disposition

Engine and much of her cargo were salvaged in summer 1923 by the wrecking steamer Jane. In 1959, wreck hunter John Steele located the remains approximately three miles southeast of St. Francis, WI.

Current Condition & Accessibility

  • Access: Boat-only dive site off Milwaukee
  • Depth: ~18 m (58 ft)
  • Site Condition: Wreck lies broken and scattered across lake bottom
  • Visibility/Conditions: Typical Lake Michigan conditions; variable visibility and occasional currents
  • Skill Level: Intermediate – suitable for recreational divers with basic wreck-diving experience
  • Regulations: Likely protected under Wisconsin’s shipwreck protection laws; removal of artifacts prohibited
  • Best Dive Season: Late spring to early autumn (May–October)

Resources & Links

[shotline_reference_links slug=”norlond-us-136131″ title=”References & Links”]

Nor’lond (ex-Eugene C. Hart) was a wooden steam package freighter launched in 1890, repurposed and renamed in 1919. She met her end on November 13, 1922, after leaking badly in stormy weather near Milwaukee. Despite sinking within minutes, the crew and passengers survived. Her remains lie in shallow water (~18 m), broken across the bottom, making it an accessible and historical wreck dive for recreational divers in Lake Michigan.

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.

Nor’lond (Built 1890 – Lost November 13, 1922)

Shotline Diving Wreck Profile

  • Name(s): Nor’lond (originally built as Eugene C. Hart, renamed in March 1919)
  • Official number: 136131 (wisconsinshipwrecks.org)
  • Registry: U.S.
  • Year built: 1890, by Burger & Burger, Manitowoc, WI (wisconsinshipwrecks.org)
  • Year lengthened: 1893 (added approx. 26 ft / 8 m)
  • Vessel type: Wooden-hulled propeller steam package freighter (freight & passenger) (wisconsinshipwrecks.org)
  • Cargo/passengers at loss: Freight and a few passengers
  • Date lost: November 13, 1922
  • Location of loss: ~2 mi (~3.2 km) off South Point, Milwaukee, Lake Michigan (wisconsinshipwrecks.org)
  • Depth: Sunk in about 58 ft (18 m) of water (wisconsinshipwrecks.org)

Vessel Type & Description

Nor’lond was a wooden package freighter with a single propeller and steam engine. Built robustly for mid-sized cargo and limited passenger service, her hull measured approximately 152 × 25 × 18 ft (46 × 7.6 × 5.5 m) after lengthening, with a gross tonnage around 522 grt .

History

  • Built in 1890 as Eugene C. Hart; was later lengthened in 1893.
  • Operated primarily on Great Lakes package freight routes.
  • Renamed Nor’lond in March 1919 after being acquired by Nor’lond Lines.
  • Returned to Great Lakes freight service in Spring 1922 under owner Frank Finsthwait (wisconsinshipwrecks.org).

Final Dispositions

While trying to return to shore during a late-autumn storm on November 13, 1922, Nor’lond sprang a serious leak. The crew attempted to pump water and race for refuge in Milwaukee, but the leak worsened. Crew and any passengers abandoned ship in lifeboats; the vessel sank stern-first just minutes later. There were no fatalities (wisconsinshipwrecks.org).

Located By & Date Found

  • Engine and much of her cargo were salvaged in summer 1923 by the wrecking steamer Jane (wisconsinshipwrecks.org).
  • In 1959, wreck hunter John Steele located the remains approximately three miles southeast of St. Francis, WI (wisconsinshipwrecks.org).

Notmars & Advisories

None recorded historically or currently. No official marine hazards active at the site.

Shore Dive Information

  • Access: Boat-only dive site off Milwaukee
  • Depth: ~18 m (58 ft)
  • Site Condition: Wreck lies broken and scattered across lake bottom
  • Visibility/Conditions: Typical Lake Michigan conditions; variable visibility and occasional currents
  • Skill Level: Intermediate – suitable for recreational divers with basic wreck-diving experience
  • Regulations: Likely protected under Wisconsin’s shipwreck protection laws; removal of artifacts prohibited
  • Best Dive Season: Late spring to early autumn (May–October)

Resources & Links

Conclusion

Nor’lond (ex-Eugene C. Hart) was a wooden steam package freighter launched in 1890, repurposed and renamed in 1919. She met her end on November 13, 1922, after leaking badly in stormy weather near Milwaukee. Despite sinking within minutes, the crew and passengers survived. Her remains lie in shallow water (~18 m), broken across the bottom, making it an accessible and historical wreck dive for recreational divers in Lake Michigan.

Keywords: wooden package freighter • propeller steamship • 1922 storm sinking • Milwaukee wreck dive • Great Lakes maritime heritage

norlond-us-136131 1922-11-13 19:13:00