Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: Vega
- Type: Wooden cargo schooner
- Year Built: 1856
- Builder: Bates & Son
- Dimensions: Approximately 246 ft (75 m); Beam; Depth of hold
- Registered Tonnage: 500–600 gt
- Depth at Wreck Site: 9.14 m / 30 ft
- Location: Near Milwaukee entrance, South Fox Island
- Official Number: 22581
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
Wooden cargo schooner—Lake Michigan freighter
Description
The Vega was a wooden cargo schooner built in 1856 at Manitowoc, Wisconsin, by Bates & Son. She was approximately 246 feet in length and had a registered tonnage of around 500 to 600 gross tons, although exact figures vary across sources.
History
On October 20, 1905, the Vega departed Cecil Bay, near Washington Island, Door County, Wisconsin, laden with cordwood and slabs, bound for Milwaukee. During her voyage, she encountered the “Big Storm of October 1905,” which brought hurricane-force winds and massive waves. While attempting to enter Milwaukee Harbor, the vessel was violently thrown against the pier by the surge and surf, leading to hull breaches and rapid flooding. The ship sank near the harbor entrance, with all five crew members surviving the incident.
Significant Incidents
- October 20, 1905: Caught in a severe storm, the Vega was blown onto the pier in Milwaukee Harbor, resulting in hull failure and sinking.
Final Disposition
The wreck of the Vega was initially left in place, but over time, storms and salvage activities caused the hull to break into pieces. A survey conducted near South Fox Island indicates a scattered shallow-water wreck site, with machinery and hull debris visible under 30 to 40 feet of water near the entrance lane. Photographs taken in 1907 show the wreck in three pieces, confirming structural collapse following the grounding.
Current Condition & Accessibility
The wreck site of the Vega is accessible for diving, with visible debris and remains documented through recent drone or ROV footage. The site serves as a reminder of the maritime hazards faced by early 20th-century vessels on the Great Lakes.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”vega-us-22581″ title=”References & Links”]
The loss of the Vega highlights the dangers faced by small coastal freighters during extreme weather conditions on Lake Michigan. Her remains lie in shallow water, providing a significant site for divers interested in maritime history and shipwreck exploration.
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 1856; lost October 20, 1905)
Wooden cargo schooner—Lake Michigan freighter
Identification & Vessel Details
- Name: Vega
- Built: 1856 at Manitowoc, Wisconsin, by Bates & Son
- Official Number: 22581
- Dimensions: Approximately 246 feet in length, typical tonnage ~500–600 gt (exact figures vary in sources)
Final Voyage & Loss
- On October 20, 1905, laden with cordwood and slabs, Vega departed Cecil Bay (near Washington Island, Door County, Wisconsin) bound for Milwaukee.
- She was caught in the “Big Storm of October 1905”, with hurricane-force winds and massive waves.
- Attempting entry into Milwaukee Harbor, she was thrown violently against the pier by the surge and surf. Her hull began leaking and taking quickly on water; within hours she sank near the harbor entrance.
- Cargo: Cordwood and slabwood intended for fuel or milling; none was saved.
- Casualties: All five crew aboard survived—no deaths were recorded.
Wreck & Legacy
- The wreck was initially left in place. Over time, storms and salvage activity broke the hull into pieces. A survey conducted near South Fox Island shows a scattered shallow-water wreck site, with machinery and hull debris visible under 30–40 ft of water near the entrance lane.
- Photographs taken in 1907 show the broken three-piece wreck aft of the pier, with evidence of early salvage.
Summary Table
| Field | Detail |
|---|---|
| Vessel Name | Vega |
| Built | 1856, Manitowoc WI (wooden schooner) |
| Official No. | 22581 |
| Loss Date | October 20, 1905 |
| Route | Cecil Bay → Milwaukee |
| Cargo | Cordwood and slabs |
| Cause of Loss | Blown onto pier in storm; hull breached |
| Crew & Casualties | None lost |
| Wreck Location | Shallow water near Milwaukee entrance (near South Fox Island) |
| Wreck Status | Broken in pieces; debris visible by 1907 |
Context & Sources
- Vega‘s loss is emblematic of small coastal freighters that fell prey to extreme autumn storms on Lake Michigan. Her attempt at harbor entry during the October 1905 gale proved fatal.
- A photograph dated after 1907 clearly shows the ship in three sections, confirming structural collapse following initial grounding.
- A recent video from drone or ROV footage details the shallow wreck site off South Fox Island, identifying debris beds and hull remains for modern documentation.
Further Research Suggestions
- Milwaukee daily newspapers from late October 1905—especially Milwaukee Sentinel and Milwaukee Journal—often contain eyewitness descriptions, crew interviews, and harbor master statements.
- Wisconsin underwriter loss ledgers may list insurance claims tied to Official No. 22581 and cargo loss details.
- Door County shipping logs from Cecil Bay or Washington Island may note departure manifests and estimated tonnage.
- Wisconsin Maritime Museum archives likely hold photographs, salvage reports, or wreck site documentation related to Vega.
Conclusion
Vega was a hardworking wooden schooner engaged in cordwood transport along Lake Michigan’s western shore. On October 20, 1905, during a severe storm, she lost control entering Milwaukee and was slammed into the pier, resulting in hull failure and sinking. All hands survived, but the vessel and cargo were lost. Her remains lie in shallow water near South Fox Island, with visible machinery and hull fragments—a telling example of early 20th-century Great Lakes maritime hazards.
vega-us-22581 1905-10-20 09:17:00