Steamboat lost in 1886 crash discovered off Michigan’s coast

Grand Rapids, Michigan (wood) — The Michigan Shipwreck Research Association (MSRA) has discovered the remains of the steamboat Milwaukee, which went missing in 1886.

“This is the 19th shipwreck our team has found off the coast of West Michigan,” said Valerie Van Heest, who coordinated the search effort with her husband, Jack Van Heest. press release.

The ship was discovered in June 2023 using side-scan sonar. Throughout the summer, MSRA’s board of directors used remote-controlled vehicles to photograph the wreck and confirmed it was the Milwaukee.

“News coverage of the accident and study of water currents led us to Milwaukee after just two days of searching,” Neil Zoss, who discovered the evidence on side-scan sonar, said in a statement.

According to MSRA, the Milwaukee began its journey from the Northern Transportation Company in Ohio in 1868 to the Northern Railroad line in Ogdensburg, New York, to Chicago, carrying passengers and goods west across four of the Great Lakes, with stops along the way. I was tasked with carrying it.

time wall street panic When the country fell into a deep depression in September 1873, the Northern Transportation Company continued to operate 32 steamships through reorganization. By 1880, as the railways expanded, so did the locks on the Welland Canal, making shipping less efficient.

At this point, the ship was 14 years old but still usable. MSRA said she was then repurposed to carry large cargo and sold.

By 1883, Milwaukee was owned by Muskegon lumberman Lyman Gates Mason (seen above). He used the ship to transport the company’s lumber to Chicago.

On July 9, 1886, the ship departed the Windy City after unloading timber and returned to Muskegon for another load, according to MSRA. Around midnight, the Milwaukee left Holland and headed straight for the C. Hickox. The ship belonged to another, nearly identical Muskegon Lumber Company and was fully loaded with lumber.

“Dennis Harrington, who was on lookout for the Milwaukee, was the first to spot the lights from the other ships. He immediately informed Captain Armstrong. Captain O’Day of the Hickox saw the same thing. The rules of navigation were specific: both vessels were required to reduce speed, each steer to starboard (starboard) to avoid collision, and sound their whistles to signal the change of course,” MSRA said in a statement. mentioned in.

A thick fog rolled in as both captains maintained their speed. O’Day quickly turned him around and tried to sound the whistle to signal the other ship, but the pull chain snapped. According to the MSRA, Mr. Armstrong froze, unsure of what Hickcock was doing.

When the fog cleared, the Hickox came straight for Milwaukee. Armstrong made a quick turn, but collided with the Hickox, nearly capsizing the ship. Harrington was thrown into the water. He disappeared into the fog with Hickox.

Armstrong went below deck and found water pouring in. Armstrong sent out a distress call, and the crew immediately worked to save the ship.

MSRA said several people were evacuated to the Hickox in lifeboats as another ship, the City of New York, arrived. The two ships worked together to pin the Milwaukee between them and set ropes in an attempt to keep her afloat. After about two hours, the Milwaukee’s stern sank below the surface and sank to the bottom of the lake. By that time, everyone was safely on board the high cox.

After the accident, Armstrong and O’Day both had their licenses temporarily revoked for failing to reduce their speed as they should.

“Slowing down in the face of danger may be the most important lesson this shipwreck teaches,” MSRA said.