Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: Waukesha (formerly Nabob)
- Type: Wooden Schooner
- Year Built: 1862
- Builder: Rand, Manitowoc, Wisconsin
- Dimensions: Length: 138 ft (42.1 m); Beam: 27 ft (8.2 m); Depth of hold: 12 ft (3.7 m)
- Registered Tonnage: 310 tons
- Location: Off Muskegon, Michigan
- Official Number: 18175
- Original Owners: F.H. Head, Chicago, or possibly her captain, Duncan Corbett
- Number of Masts: Three-masted
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
Vessel Type: Wooden Schooner
Description
The Waukesha, originally built as the Nabob, was a three-masted wooden schooner designed for cargo transport on the Great Lakes. She was part of the Midwest grain, lumber, and commodity trade, hauling goods between Wisconsin, Michigan, Illinois, and New York ports.
History
Constructed in Manitowoc, Wisconsin, or possibly Milwaukee, the Nabob was renamed Waukesha before 1884, likely after Waukesha, Wisconsin. By the late 19th century, she was used for bulk cargo transport, including salt, apples, and grain. The Waukesha underwent major repairs in 1881 and 1882, indicating significant structural wear from years of service.
Significant Incidents
- Date of Loss: November 7, 1896
- Location: Off Muskegon, Michigan, Lake Michigan
- Cause: Storm and waterlogging
- Cargo at Loss: 600 tons of salt and apples
- Loss of Life: 6 of 7 crew members perished
Final Disposition
The Waukesha was caught in a gale while attempting to enter Muskegon Harbor but could not negotiate the entrance. With no safe harbor available, the crew anchored offshore, hoping to ride out the storm. Heavy waves and wind caused her to take on water and eventually founder. Locals watched from shore as her lights disappeared before wreckage began washing ashore. The only survivor later reported that the rest of the crew became so intoxicated during the storm that they were unable to save themselves or the ship.
Current Condition & Accessibility
The Waukesha likely sank in deep water, making recovery difficult. Wooden vessels like the Waukesha tend to break apart over time, leaving scattered debris on the lakebed. If the wreck was never salvaged, sonar surveys may locate remnants of her hull, ballast, or cargo. No known dive records exist, suggesting she remains undiscovered or largely undocumented.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”waukesha-nabob-us-18175″ title=”References & Links” show_ref_button=”yes”]
The Waukesha (formerly Nabob, 1862–1896) was a long-serving schooner that met her tragic end in a Lake Michigan storm. Attempting to ride out the gale at anchor, she became waterlogged and foundered off Muskegon, with only one survivor. Her cargo of salt and apples was lost, and the wreck washed ashore in pieces, witnessed by locals. Her exact wreck site remains unknown, but she remains a part of Great Lakes maritime history, illustrating the perils of schooner sailing in stormy waters.
Full Wreck Record — complete historical article, construction details, voyage logs, incident reports, dive conditions, and all research sources.
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