June 2008 Wisconsin’s Underwater Heritage  Wisconsin’s Underwater Heritage

Vol.18 No. 2 A publication of the Wisconsin Underwater Archeology Association June 2008

Fathoms Deep But Not Forgotten: Wisconsin’s Lost Shipwreck Sites

Part III: Milwaukee County, 1825-1875 by Brendon Baillod

his article is the third in a moored off the river. Soon, the river Shipwreck At continuing series examin- mouth was dredged and shallow Ting the historical maritime schooners could enter the river. This Adventure Island archeology sites in Wisconsin. This shallow entrance required constant by Dr, Richard Boyd installment will review the historical dredging as sandbars built up, and shipwrecks of Milwaukee County in many vessels stranded there before he title of this article sounds its early period. the straight cut was made about a like a trailer from a swash- Milwaukee was one of the mile north in 1857. Following this Tbuckling pirate movie, but in busiest and earliest ports on Lake improvement, Milwaukee became a fact, this nautical tale takes place in Michigan. Early on, it rivaled leading grain port with major trade Green Bay off the historical town of Chicago for water commerce and in lumber and coal. Fish Creek, a popular tourist desti- was the largest grain port on Milwaukee hosted an enormous nation in Door County. Northwest Lake Michigan for much of the volume of shipwrecks in her early of this village rests a small group of 1800s. The first vessel ever to visit period. Most of these were due to four islets collectively known as the Milwaukee was the British sloop the unimproved harbor, and most Strawberries, arranged roughly in a Felicity which anchored off the river of the remains of these wrecks north-south chain. Between this line mouth in 1779. The area became the have been removed by subsequent of islands and the mainland runs a local headquarters for the Northwest shoreline changes and dredging shallow, natural waterway known Fur Company in 1795 and many during the industrialization of the as the Strawberry Channel, the far small vessels began to call from city. The following list details all the north end of which is marked by the Mackinac and Detroit. In the 1830s, historic total loss shipwrecks known old Eagle Bluff Lighthouse. significant settlement began when in Milwaukee County from 1825 to The four islands start as a rocky Solomon Juneau and Byron Kilbourn 1875. It is likely that many quali- shoal called Pirate Island at the platted a town at the site. In 1835, fying wrecks were missed in this northern end of the chain. Here sev- Milwaukee received her first visit by continued on page 6 eral islets alter between being sub- a steamboat, when the United States merged reefs and then elevated rock Milwaukee Waterfront 1870s – Brendon Baillod Collection piles, depending on lake’s current water level. Further south is Jack Island, another barren limestone ridge that is mostly a seagull rook- ery. Next is 10-acre Little Strawberry Island, which is partially wooded and once sported a private summer

continued on page 4  Wisconsin’s Underwater Heritage June 2008

Association News Action Meeting Brendon will contact Jerry Guyer Future Fieldwork/Projects to see about the possibility of find- Brendon met with David Beard and An action planning meeting was ing a floating platform for the site. discussed a cooperative WUAA/ held on Saturday April 19, 2008 in WMM joint venture to survey Marshall, WI. The following items Brendon will contact USCG to see the tug Arctic. This would be for were discussed. about securing the area of the sur- vey that Saturday. 2009/2010 and would lead to a 2008 Fieldwork Projects Kimm will coordinate efforts for graphical display at WMM with Russ has set the dates and arranged pre-training site preparation. A visit WUAA credits. resources for this summer’s Bailey’s should be made to the site to con- Brendon met with Kevin Cullen Harbor project. firm appropriateness. from Discovery World to discuss We will continue to run Clay Greg will provide liability waiver joint DW/WUAA training ventures. Banks as an ad hoc project with no forms that will be placed on the Brendon discussed a partnership specifically scheduled project dates. training registration page. with the SHSW and DNR to work Neptune’s Nimrods dive club in We will limit the classroom por- on a Brule River rapids survey in Green Bay has expressed interest in tion to 20 attendees. Classroom will search of fur trade route artifacts. this project. be required for the in-water training, This would potentially be filmed Kimm will coordinate fieldwork which will be around 15 maximum. documentary style and would be an again this year for Fireboat #23. excellent publicity opportunity. This We will have at least one super- Dives will be Thursday evenings. would be planned for 2009/2010. visory diver to every four students. Summer Field School Dick presented the possibility Website We will continue to plan for a field of creating a WUAA archeological Brendon will put up an online school this summer. The dates and survey toolkit similar to the ones WUAA store in the coming weeks dive site are not set but the follow- already produced for us by Global. that will feature WUAA books, t- ing objectives were discussed. WUAA would brand these and sell shirts, online membership registra- them on our website. This idea was Brendon will contact Discovery tion and payment and event regis- received with great enthusiasm. World to arrange facility there for tration. classroom training portion.

Wisconsin’s semiannual meetings President: Directors: and provides support Brendon Baillod Richard Boyd Underwater to members’ research Marshall Delafield Heritage and publication projects. Vice-President: Danny Aerts Annual membership dues Hank Whipple Middleton is published quar- are $20. For membership Madison terly by the Wisconsin information write to the Janet Defnet Treasurer: Underwater Archeology postal or email address Mukwonago Steve Wagner Association, a nonprofit below. Appleton association of individu- Mail correspondence to: als and organizations Secretary WUAA interested in studying Paul Laue PO Box 6081 and preserving the under- Madison Madison, WI 53716 water cultural resources Newsletter Editor: email: wuaa@mailbag. and historical sites of Danny Aerts com Wisconsin. Middleton web site: In addition to publish- www.wuaa.org Web site Manager: ing this newsletter, the Colin Zylka Association also holds Waukesha June 2008 Wisconsin’s Underwater Heritage 

Brendon and Steve are continu- WHS Maritime News Discovery World ing to work on the WUAA Poster Project. Brad Friend has volunteered Through a partnership with the ROV Days to layout the posters and Tammy GLSPS, the schooner Moonlight was Discovery World will bring together Thomsen and Kim Brungraber have documented throughout the 2007 a team of experts to engage with the offered their photos. field season in 240 feet of water east public in the uses of ROV technology of Michigan Island in Lake Superior. in underwater archeology and explo- Financial On March 18, the Moonlight was ration. The program will begin with Russ and Brendon expressed con- listed on the State Register of hourly hands-on demonstrations on cern about finances in light of the Historic Places, and is currently July 19 and 20, where participants new annual cycle of membership under review for inclusion on the will learn how to control an ROV and dues. Specific concern was expressed National Register. see what lies beneath the waters of about reducing the volume of news- The 2008 field season will kick Discovery World at Pier Wisconsin. letters mailed. off in early May with the video doc- Both days will also include a pre- Brendon will complete WUAA umentation of Fireboat 23 for the sentation by Discovery World’s Chief incorporation paper updates and production of a photo mosaic of the Marine Scientist and ROV expert, Dr. will file federal form 1023 to secure site. The mosaic will be used to aid Mark Gleason and Discovery World’s WUAA 501c3 status. WUAA’s archeology field survey as Amphibious Archeologist, Kevin 2008 Fall Conference well as public outreach efforts. Cullen on the use of ROV technology in underwater archeology and explo- The Wyndham has once again been In early July the Society will part- ration, from the Black Sea to our reserved for the Fall Conference for ner with Woods Hole Oceanographic own Great Lakes. October. Institute to develop new techniques in 3-Dimensional photomosaicing of Monday July 21 will begin aboard Possible speakers for this year deep wreck sites in Lake Michigan. the S/V Denis Sullivan as we set include Chris Baruth, curator of the In July and August, the Society sail to explore the shipwreck Prins USGS Map Collection at UWM who will be working out of Sheboygan Willem V. Without getting wet, par- will speak about the Lake Survey and Manitowoc to conduct Phase II ticipants will have the opportunity to history. Kim Brungraber has offered archeological surveys of the schoo- explore inside this shipwreck from to present. The WHS will be invited ners Byron and Home. the deck of the Sullivan using ROV’s. to present. We will also have a pre- sentation on the Fireboat project. In August, the NOAA research On July 22 and 23, participants vessel Laurentian will be steam- will join a group of maritime scien- WUAA Receives Grant ing to Wisconsin to conduct side tists aboard the S/V Denis Sullivan scan sonar surveys in northeast as they begin an underwater explo- The Wisconsin Underwater Wisconsin. There will be an open ration of the shipwreck Milwaukee. Archeology Association has been house scheduled aboard the vessel, Using ROV and Side Scan Sonar awarded a $500 Ghost Ships Award tentatively scheduled for August 9 technology, we will document this from the Great Lakes Shipwreck in Sturgeon Bay. The exact time and shipwreck and try to determine how Research Foundation for the Fireboat date will be announced in the near the 338 foot steel propeller carferry 23 survey project. We would like to future. ended up sinking in 125 feet of thank the GLSRF for their support. water off the shore of Milwaukee. The Milwaukee was carrying a cargo of 27 loaded railcars when she went down with all hands in a storm on 22 October 1929. Call or log on for more information.  Wisconsin’s Underwater Heritage June 2008

have even been surveyed and stud- scuba diver, he inquired about the Adventure Island ied, while others rest in remote plac- name of the shipwreck in shallow continued from page 1 es and remain virtually unknown. water near Adventure Island where This is particularly true of wrecks he often fished for bass. I knew of home and small harbor. Largest and that are largely dismembered or no such wreck, so he expounded by most historic of the group is Big buried under sand or rock. Mother describing its location in 20 feet of Strawberry Island, some 43 acres Nature can submerge and hide a der- water near the reef southwest of the in size, much of which is forested. elict one year, only to resurrect and island. He claimed it was occasion- In 1938, the traditional name of expose it the next. Notable examples ally visible from the surface. Big Strawberry Island was officially of such vessels are the changed to Adventure Island, as it H.M. Scove In those years, sport divers buried under rocks at Middle Shoal has been known ever since. This were still somewhat of a rarity in in Death’s Door Passage or the sand- island has boasted a series of own- Door County, but I checked with covered off the range lights ers since about 1867 when it was Emeline those that frequented the area; this in Bailey’s Harbor. However, occa- first settled by Dr. E. M. Thorp, a wreck was unknown to all! Two sionally an arcane “mystery ship” is local dentist who instituted a poultry diving acquaintances of mine who found that defies identification and farm there and progressively planted had a boat available in Fish Creek exploration. This article deals with an enormous number of strawberry promptly went to investigate. They one such craft entombed in the bot- plants that rapidly proliferated, thus had no trouble locating the wreck tom lands off the Strawberry Islands. giving rise to the island’s original near the prominent reef south of the name. Today ownership of the two Our story begins in 1958 when island and described it as a broken main “Strawberry Islands” remains this writer was working in Sister Bay sailing vessel of unknown length. in private or corporate hands. as the Service Manager for Anchor The wreck was reported to be mostly Sam’s Yacht Harbor, now known as keel and frames, with large portions Door County is famous for its Yacht Works, Inc. A seasonal fisher- buried in the cobblestone bottom. Of maritime history of which local ship- man who summered in Fish Creek great interest was a coin, dated in wrecks are a major feature. The came in seeking repairs on his out- the 1850s, found among the wooden location of many of these sunken board motor. Knowing that I was a ribs! It was reported to be a large vessels is well known, and some “Liberty Head Penny,” a common Chambers & Strawberry Islands showing the Adventure Island Wreck* American coin minted from about 1790 until 1857. Over the following decades, the wreck was only relocat- ed a few times and has never been identified. It appears that winter ice shoves in the Strawberry Channel alternately buries and exposes the vessel with gravel and cobblestones. We only have speculation as to the identity and age of this ship- wreck. One thought is that it was one of the many boats that were part of the “fleet” belonging to the Boy’s Camp that once flourished on Adventure Island. In 1925, Charles McKinney from Illinois bought the island and established what would become a regionally renowned sum- mer camp for boys that prospered for over 25 years. During this time, the campers and staff constructed and sailed several vessels, including a replica of a 40-foot Viking long boat. It has been suggested that the June 2008 Wisconsin’s Underwater Heritage  buried wreck is merely one of the Island, was various sailing craft once owned by named for the colorful summer occupants of this wreck. Adventure Island. Perhaps the ves- On the other sel was lost or scuttled during the hand, the heyday of the boys’ camp, although “Strawberry there is no direct evidence that any Reefs” were boats were built on the island itself poorly defined or lost by summer residents. and generally Also, there’s the matter of the unmarked in coin from the 1850s. If the vessel those early was actually built by the Adventure times. It’s Island campers, it at first seems entirely pos- unlikely that such an old coin sible that would be present in the wreckage. the Hanover However, it was a time-honored met her tradition during the construction of demise in the a sailing ship to place a coin under Strawberries, the step of the mast. Perhaps doing and not on so with an antique coin might have Chamber’s appealed to the Adventure Island Island! seamen! Other The other obvious, and far more recorded likely, scenario is that the wreck is possibilities one of the unlucky craft that met its would include demise in Door County waters dur- the bark ing pioneer times. Some intriguing Cleveland, possibilities exist, mostly involving which some little known and undiscov- stranded on Advertisement for Adventure Island Boys’ Camp, Door County Almanac ered shipwrecks. Vessels lost in that a reef west vicinity were already a curiosity in of Adventure diver will relocate and research the the days of the Adventure Island Island with its lumber cargo and “Adventure Island Shipwreck” at Boys’ Camp. In fact, campers and was pounded to pieces by the high some future date. the counselors from that era have wind and waves. This occurred on reported that the youngsters often 20 September 1865. The Harrison, Selected References explored shipwrecks during cruises another schooner, was also wrecked Blahnik, Joel, Adventure Island, Door to Chambers Island. No exact loca- in that vicinity on 14 November County Almanac, No.5 (1990):183- tion or identities for these ships 1867. Virtually nothing is known 186. Sister Bay, WI: Dragonsbreath were offered, however. about these two particular ves- sels. A strong final candidate for Press. The most interesting wreck would the “mystery wreck” is the D. O. Door County Advocate, 5 October be the schooner Hanover, which ran Dickinson. This lumber schooner 1865; 14 November 1867; 21 aground near the Strawberries on stranded in the then unmarked October 1869. 7 November 1867, and became a Strawberry Channel on 7 October Olesen, Don, Island Adventure total loss. H. R. Holand in his clas- 1869. Her cargo was eventually was Truly an Adventure for Boys, sic book, Old Peninsula Days, credits recovered, but the vessel itself was Milwaukee Journal, 12 March 1993. legendary Door County strongman a $9,500 insured loss. As stated, Allen Bradley with salvaging much none of these documented wrecks of this craft, including its massive has ever been found and any one of anchor. It has occasionally been them could be the unknown derelict assumed that Hanover Shoal, which buried off Adventure Island. Perhaps protrudes almost three miles from some enterprising contemporary the southeast corner of Chamber’s  Wisconsin’s Underwater Heritage June 2008

the harbor, after it was enlarged in Schooner Solomon Juneau (no#), Milwaukee County the fall of 1840. Her remains were built 1837, 72.6 x 19.2 x 7.0 ft., Shipwrecks almost certainly removed. 86.14 gt. BOM. continued from page 1 Sloop Clarissa (no#), built 1836. The Solomon Juneau was the first The sloop Clarissa was the first vessel ever built at Milwaukee. She had numerous mishaps and strand- listing due to sparse reporting and vessel built at Chicago. She was ings before being driven ashore at scant records, but this list probably never enrolled and was probably a the foot of Chicago Street (off the comprises the vast majority. small coastal trader. She was lost in the fall of 1840 when she was present day Summerfest grounds) in Schooner Sea Serpent (no#), built driven ashore at Milwaukee. November of 1846. She was aban- 1821, 26 gt. BOM. doned after spending the winter on Sloop Wenonah (no#), built 1841, The schooner Sea Serpent was a the beach. 30 gt. BOM. small, early Lake Michigan coastal Sidewheel Steamer Nile (no#), built The sloop Wenonah was a small schooner that had been brought 1843, 183.0 x 26.9 x 13.8 ft., vessel, built as a lighter. Runge from Lake Erie where she had 642.64 gt. BOM. been named Lake Serpent. She was claims she was built in 1836, but The Nile stranded at Milwaukee wrecked and rebuilt at Michigan this seems unlikely. She went on 3 November 1849 at the foot of City in June 1836, but was lost ashore at Milwaukee in a gale on 11 Huron Street and was released after when she went ashore on the bar at November 1841 and disappears from spending the winter. She was towed Milwaukee in the fall of 1837. all records, probably a total loss. to Sweet’s Warehouse dock near Steamer C.C. Trowbridge (no#), Schooner H. Marsh (no#), built the Jones Shipyard to be rebuilt, built 1838, 73.0 x 16.0 x 4.6 ft., 1838, 54.9 x 16.2 x 6.3 ft., 47.92 when on 9 June 1850, an arsonist 42.72 gt. BOM. gt. BOM. burned the warehouse, also burn- The schooner H. Marsh was lost The C.C. Trowbridge was a small ing the ship’s upper works. The trying to enter the harbor in a fall steamer brought to Milwaukee as ship’s engines were salvaged and gale on 20 November 1840. She was a harbor ferry and lighter. She was she was abandoned in the mud until driven hard aground at the river lost on 5 December 1842 when she November 1860, when Milwaukee mouth and broke up. She was a total went ashore off North Point. She shipowner Caleb Harrison loss with her cargo. was condemned and her engines announced he would raise the hull removed. Her hull was probably also Steam Ferry Badger (no#) launched and rebuild on it. It is unknown if removed. 1837, 64 x 12 ft, 60 gt. BOM . he succeeded. Sidewheel Steamer Boston (no#), The steam lighter Badger had Bark Buckeye State (no#), built built 1846, 205.0 x 30.0 x 12.10 been used to ferry in passengers 1852, 132.5 x 25.1 x 10.0 ft., ft., 757.80 gt. BOM. and freight from steamers. Her cab- 309.85 gt. BOM. ins could seat about 100 persons The Boston was Milwaukee’s first The three–masted bark Buckeye and she was the first steam vessel major shipwreck. On 24 November State was brand new when she built at Milwaukee. She had been 1846 she lost her smoke stack while stranded off South Point with wrecked on the bar in 1837 but was trying to depart during a gale and a cargo of railroad iron for the salvaged. She was abandoned inside was driven broadside into shallows Milwaukee-Mississippi Railroad. She just south of was released on 5 November 1852 Steamer Nile – from the Erik Heyl Collection the old harbor and under tow when she beached piers. She was again near the old river mouth (at badly damaged the South end of present-day Jones and was sal- Island) where she went to pieces. vaged in place. Schooner Mary Margaret (no#), Her hull was built 1852, 50.8 x 17.6 x 5.3 ft., left where it lay 38.80 gt. BOM. and may still have buried The schooner Mary Margaret, remains off- sporting an ornate figurehead and shore. bound Milwaukee to Chicago with June 2008 Wisconsin’s Underwater Heritage  lumber capsized about 20 miles rescue of the crew but the captain Brig Nebraska (no#), built 1849, ESE of Milwaukee on 11 September and mate perished. Vessel and cargo 121.3 x 23.9 x 9.0 ft., 240.71 gt. 1854. Her crew clung for hours to were a total loss. BOM. the overturned hull before being res- Schooner J. Steinhart (no#), built On 19 October 1856 the Nebraska cued by the schooner Magic. 1853, 72.83 x 18.67 x 5.67 ft., was run down by the propeller Sidewheel Steamer Sebastopol 68.64 gt. BOM. Oriental off Racine and began sink- (no#), built 1855, 245.0 x 37.8 x The schooner Steinhart was ing with her cargo of brick. She tried 12.6 ft., 863.00 gt. BOM. bound from Green Bay to Chicago to run for Milwaukee harbor but The big, new steamer Sebastopol with lumber when she became fetched up very near the Sebastopol was lost on 20 September 1855 waterlogged and capsized six miles wreck where she broke up. The when she went ashore 500 feet north of Milwaukee on the same day Oriental was libeled for her value of from shore, three miles south of the the Orleans wrecked. Her mate and $5,500. Government Pier (south of the pres- cook perished. Schooner Emily (no#), built, 1853, ent-day South Shore Yacht Club) Schooner John F. Porter (no#), 65.0 x 19.25 x 6.5 ft., 69 gt. BOM. with a cargo of merchandise and built 1842 on hull of steamer The little schooner Emily van- passengers for Chicago. She missed Cincinnati, 87.8 x 21 x 7.6 ft., ished on a trip from Milwaukee to the harbor entrance, as it’s lights 124.49 gt. BOM. Sand Bay with five crew, including were extinguished, and mistook On 22 October 1855 the schooner the captain’s wife. A storm struck the lights of the stranded schoo- Porter was bound from Chicago with soon after her departure on 16 April ner Rockwell for the piers. She was provisions for the lumber camps 1857 and she was never seen again. driven broadside to the waves and when she capsized three miles off Brig Cumberland (no#), built quickly taken apart. Seven persons North Point. All but one of her crew 1844, 100.6 x 23.6 x 9.2 ft., died, despite gallant rescue efforts. made it ashore in the yawl, but the 195.87 gt. BOM. The ship’s remains were located in vessel was a total loss. She drifted 1976 and were the subject of an The Cumberland was moored into shallows where she broke up. avocational archeology survey. near the end of the south pier of Sidewheel Steamer Alleghany the new straight cut when she Brig Orleans (no#) built 1846, (no#), built 1849, 177.2 x 25.0 x was struck astern by the schooner 100.75 x 20.0 x 8.5 ft., 173.55 gt. 10.11 ft., 468.02 gt. BOM. Curlew, on 20 October 1859. Her BOM. Only a month after the Sebastopol stern settled and the waves pounded The brig Orleans was bound with loss, another big sidewheeler her against the pier until she broke lumber for Chicago on 21 October was unable to find the unlighted up. She was carrying lumber from 1855 when she was driven aground harbor entrance and was driven Oconto to Chicago. just south of the Government Pier at aground just north of the Sebastopol Schooner Twin Brothers (no#), Milwaukee. Citizens staged a gallant wreck. On 24 built 1848, 90.5 x 21.5 x 8.2 ft., Grain elevator 1870 – Brendon Baillod Collection October 1855 143.40 gt. BOM. the Alleghany The Twin Brothers had departed was bound for Sheboygan on 11 March 1860 from Buffalo to when she was found to be leaking. Chicago with She ran back inside the piers and heavy merchan- was pounded on the south pier until dise when, fail- she stove a hole in her hull. She ing to find the capsized and sank broadside in the harbor piers, channel, a total loss. she anchored off Bark Emily A. Roelofson (no#), shore. The storm built 1854, 138.0 x 26.0 x 11.5 ft., felled her stack 385.23 gt. BOM. and she dragged ashore, fetching This three–masted bark had up barely 100 been wrecked on a reef near Eagle feet from shore. Harbor in Green Bay in September continued on page 8  Wisconsin’s Underwater Heritage June 2008

Scow Schooner Tempest (no#), was bound Pentwater to Milwaukee Milwaukee County built 1854, 80.25 x 18.84 x 4.93 with a cargo of potatoes and shin- Shipwrecks ft., 60.21 gt. BOM. gles when she was blown over by a squall 20 mi NE of Milwaukee. Her continued from page 7 The Tempest was riding out a storm with a cargo of lumber for three crew perished but her hull was Chicago when she dragged her towed in by the scow D.R. Owen and 1855. She was freed and towed anchor and went aground off South abandoned at Milwaukee. She was a to Milwaukee for rebuild, but was Point on 24 November 1867. She total loss. abandoned in the Milwaukee River broke her keel and was abandoned Schooner Liberty (14805), built in November 1863. where she lay. 1835, 54.6 x 17.5 x 5.8 ft., 54.49 Schooner Union (no#), built 1848, Scow Schooner Sunshine (23057), gt. 87.90 gt. BOM. built 1856, 97.0 x 24.0 x 6.2 ft., The Liberty was by far the old- The schooner Union of Racine 60.21 gt. BOM. est ship on the Lakes when she was was reported lost when she drove On 29 September 1869 the smashed against the Milwaukee ashore at South Milwaukee on 11 Sunshine was bound from White pierheads and sank while trying to May 1864. She disappears from all Lake, MI to Milwaukee with lumber enter during a gale on 6 April 1872. lists and enrollments following this when she became waterlogged and One of her crew perished. She had accident and is believed to have stranded on North Point. She broke been a pioneer Lake Erie vessel and been a total loss. up and became a total loss. may have been built on the bed of Schooner Free Mason (no#), built the original schooner Liberty, built Schooner Adell (no#), built 1860, 1854, 51.9 x 14.5 x 5.6 ft., 26.96 by Hawley Reed at Buffalo in 1818. 48 x 12 x 4.7 ft., 19.03 gt. BOM. gt. The venerable schooner refused to The little schooner Adell was out die, as in 1898, a storm brought The Free Mason was bound in the disastrous gale of November up her remains and dashed them Chicago to Milwaukee on 2 April 1869 and was driven ashore at the against the pierhead light once 1866 when she was swept from south pier, one mile below the Bay again. her moorings below Walker’s Point View pier where she reportedly com- Bridge and out through the straight Schooner St. Peter (23516), built pletely broke up. cut into the Lake. She was towed in 1868, 90.0 x 23.8 x 8.5 ft., 119.66 by the tug Davidson and made fast Schooner A.B. Ward (383), built gt. 1854 as a tug, 32 gt. to the south pier where she lay a Bound Chicago to Buffalo with total wreck. On 25 April 1870 the A.B. Ward 8000 bushel of corn, the St. Peter was found to be leaking, which soon Milwaukee Riverfront 1870s—Brendon Baillod Collection overwhelmed her pumps and sent her to the bottom. Her crew reported that they rowed the yawl 35 miles in a SW direction to reach Milwaukee on 5 May 1874. Schooner Union (25045), built 1861, 54.0 x 18.0 x 5.5 ft., 17.94 gt. Many schooners like Union plied the Lakes in the 1800s, but this one reportedly went ashore at South Milwaukee on 15 June 1874, a total loss. She was owned out of Manitowoc and disappears from lists and enrollments after 1874. Tug Ida H. Lee (100058), built 1865, 44.8 x 10.0 x 5.0 ft., 35.66 gt. June 2008 Wisconsin’s Underwater Heritage 

On 23 April 1874 the Ida H. Lee was towing the schooner Ida two miles NE of the harbor entrance when the schooner struck her stern, holing her. She took on water, cap- sized and foundered in 50 feet of water, a total loss, with one life. She has yet to be found. Scow Sloop Hurrah Boys (95341), built 1872, 37.1 x 13.0 x 3.6 ft., 13.68 gt. The Hurrah Boys was carry- ing stone for the water works cribs when she was driven ashore off Milwaukee’s Third Ward on 23 July 1874. She was initially thought sal- vageable, but was dismantled and abandoned where she lay. Bark Tanner (24236), built 1863, Bark Tanner – from the Historical Collections of the Great Lakes 157.9 x 32.3 x 13.2 ft., 434.95 gt. 1856 off South Point. She was to the Lakes. Two other Challenges The big bark Tanner, with a carrying brick and was reported a also existed. The famous clipper full cargo of wheat from Chicago total loss. However, she was raised built at Manitowoc in 1852 was lost to Buffalo, was under tow into the and lost off Portage, Michigan in near Sheboygan in 1910, the other, harbor on 9 September 1875, when September of 1858. built at Vermilion OH in 1842 was the line parted. The ship was driven Schooner Storm King (built lost at Muskegon in October 1872. south past the straight cut and fetch 1856), The Storm King is errone- Scow Schooner Angelique (built up on the old harbor piers where she ously listed as lost off Milwaukee in 1855, #29299). This vessel (called sank with her decks submerged. Her 1856. She was recovered from an Angeline in news reports) was driv- back soon broke and her spars fell. 1856 Milwaukee stranding and lost en on Milwaukee’s north point on 18 She was declared a total loss. off the Manitous in a June 1861 col- November 1863 bound Chicago to Vessels reported lost in error or lision with the steamer Michigan. St. Joseph with shingles. Her captain salvaged. Schooner Elizabeth (built drowned and the vessel was declared a total loss. However, she was recov- Steamer Dewitt Clinton (built 1856), Listed as crushed by ice ered and sailed until at least 1887. 1836). This steamer is erroneously at Milwaukee in 1864, this vessel Her ID is verified as Angelique in the stated as lost off Milwaukee in 1839 was actually recovered and lost at Customs House Wreck Report Index. in many sources. On 11 October Kenosha on 11 August 1866. 1839, her yawl capsized while fer- Steamer May Queen (built Tug Traffic (built 1853, #24506). rying passengers in, drowning five. 1853), Listed as lost when she This vessel is reported by sev- The Clinton was lost at Dunkirk, NY burned off Milwaukee on 15 January eral sources including an original in 1852. 1866, the May Queen was rebuilt Milwaukee Sentinel news account, to have burned at Milwaukee on 11 Brig Algomah (built 1845). This as a barge and foundered off October 1869. However, she actu- brig was stranded and reported lost Saugatuck, MI on 31 October 1868. ally burned on the Saginaw River in at Milwaukee in March 1856 and Schooner Challenge (built 1853, Michigan where she was owned. again in July 1861. However, she #4574). The schooner Challenge appears in traffic lists and enroll- wrecked at Milwaukee on 11 Schooner Buena Vista (built ments well into 1862. Her ultimate November 1873 and was declared 1847, Chicago). Listed as stranded fate is unknown. a total loss. She was recovered and at Milwaukee in 1875, this vessel was actually lost in 1875 at Perry’s Schooner Rover (built 1854). The taken overseas by Captain Kelly Pier which was near present day Rover was sunk with only her mast- of Racine. She was engaged in the Manistee, MI. heads showing on 13 September British coal trade and never returned Wisconsin Underwater Archeological Association P.O. Box 6081 Madison, WI 53716

For those interested in the study and preservation of Wisconsin’s underwater history and cultural resources.

Coming Events July 19-23, 2008 ROV Days at Discovery World. Milwaukee WI. For information check their web site at www.DiscoveryWorld.org. September 4-6, 2008 Association for Great Lakes Maritime History Annual Meeting & Conference. Muskegon, MI. For information check the AGLMH web site at www.aglmh.org. October 25, 2008 Wisconsin Underwater Archeology Association and Maritime History Conference.in Milwaukee. For information check the WUAA web site at www.wuaa.org or email wuaa@ mailbag.com. November 7-8, 2008 Gales of November in Duluth. For information check the Lake Superior Marine Museum Association web site at www.lamma.org.