Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: Union
- Type: Wooden schooner
- Year Built: 1861
- Builder: N. Saunders, Menominee, Michigan
- Dimensions: 54 ft x 18 ft x 6 ft (16.5 m x 5.5 m x 1.8 m)
- Registered Tonnage: 18 gross tons
- Location: South Milwaukee, Wisconsin
- Official Number: 25045
- Original Owners: Nate Saunders, Escanaba, Michigan
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
The Union was a small wooden schooner, a common vessel type used for transporting lumber, fish, or general freight along the shores of the Great Lakes. Schooners of this size were often involved in short-haul trade between smaller ports, particularly in the Upper Peninsula and Wisconsin regions.
Description
Built in 1861 by Nathan Saunders in Menominee, Michigan, the Union was primarily a coastal trading vessel, operating out of Escanaba, Michigan. It likely engaged in local freight transport, moving goods between Upper Michigan, Wisconsin, and northern Illinois ports.
On June 15, 1874, the Union was caught in a gale near South Milwaukee while navigating Lake Michigan. The storm forced the vessel ashore, and the pounding waves quickly broke it apart on the beach.
Tragically, one crew member lost their life in the wreck, while the fate of the remaining crew is uncertain but presumed to have survived.
History
The Union was a typical small schooner of the Great Lakes, used for regional trade and transport. Its loss off South Milwaukee in 1874, with one life lost, highlights the risks faced by small sailing vessels on Lake Michigan, particularly during sudden storms.
Significant Incidents
- June 15, 1874: Caught in a gale, the Union was driven ashore and broken apart, resulting in one fatality.
Final Disposition
The Union was completely destroyed by wave action, and no salvage efforts were recorded. Given its small size and location, any wreckage would have been scattered along the shoreline.
Current Condition & Accessibility
No confirmed discovery of wreckage has been documented. South Milwaukee’s shoreline has seen extensive erosion and development, likely burying or dispersing any remains. The area is historically prone to shipwrecks due to shifting sandbars and frequent storms.
Resources & Links
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The Union remains a historical reminder of the challenges of early Great Lakes shipping. While the ship itself was destroyed, its story continues to resonate with those who explore the waters of Lake Michigan.
Full Wreck Record — complete historical article, construction details, voyage logs, incident reports, dive conditions, and all research sources.
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