Shipwreck Name: Brigantine Mahoning
Location: Lake Michigan, Port Washington, WI
Shipwreck Photos
Vessel Type: Brigantine
Location: Port Washington, WI
Vessel Build Info: 1848 Black River, Ohio
Shipwreck Specs: 119 x 26 x 10
Official Number:
Names Other:
Loss Date: December 2nd, 1864
Loss Place: By Port Washington, WI
Loss Life: 2
Loss Reason: Foundered in tow to be repaired
Vessel Cargo: none
Present-Day Wreck Overview
Dive Type: Recreational
Depth Deck(ft): 58 ft
Depth Bottom(ft): 60 ft
Depth Deck(m): 17.7 m
Depth Bottom(m): 18.2 m
Underwater Description
The wreck of the brigantine Mahoning lies in about 60 feet of water and offers divers a fascinating glimpse into 19th-century ship construction and salvage. While the wooden hull is significantly broken up, several key features remain scattered across the site. Near the wreckage, you’ll find the capstan, wood-stock anchor, and deadeyes, giving divers a feel for the ship’s original rigging and structure.
Just southeast of the main hull, a portable boiler and steam pump rest on the lakebed—remnants likely left behind during post-wreck salvage operations in 1865.
One of the standout features is the large rudder, which now lies on its side but remains clearly visible on the sandy bottom—an impressive piece of the vessel that still evokes the size and power of the original brigantine.
For divers, the permanent mooring line is located near the middle section close to the bow, making for an easy and safe descent right onto the wreck site. The layout and artifact scatter make this an ideal site for exploration, particularly for those interested in maritime history and underwater photography.
Brigantine Mahoning
Port Washington, Wisconsin
Built in 1847 by William Jones in Cleveland, Ohio, the brigantine Mahoning was a two-masted brigantine—a graceful and sturdy design known for speed and maneuverability. Her early years were spent in the grain trade between Buffalo and Chicago, making long runs through the eastern Great Lakes. At the time, she was valued at $9,500 and rated B1 by the Board of Lake Underwriters, indicating she was considered reliable and seaworthy.
In 1857, the Mahoning was sold and shifted her operations westward, becoming a regular sight in the ports of Milwaukee and Chicago. There, she traded grain for lumber—an increasingly common cargo as the demand for building materials surged in growing Midwestern cities.
Though a capable vessel, the Mahoning endured her fair share of maritime misfortunes:
Sept 1848 – Went ashore at Oswego, NY, but was later freed.
May 1851 – Aground at Grand River, Canada.May 1852 – Aground again on Lake Erie.
Sept 1854 – Damaged her sails in a storm on Lake Erie.
May 1859 – Struck by lightning near Chicago—an event that must have shaken her crew.
Despite these incidents, she kept sailing, a testament to her solid build and capable handling. Her final document of enrollment was filed in Milwaukee on May 23, 1862.
Final Voyage of the Mahoning
The Mahoning’s final days began during a powerful gale on November 4, 1864, when she stranded near the mouth of the Black River, about four miles south of Sheboygan. Newspapers at the time described her as a total loss.
Salvage efforts were quickly organized. After weeks of struggle, the vessel was freed from the beach and taken under tow by the tug W.K. Muir, bound for the Davidson shipyard in Milwaukee for major repairs.
However, tragedy struck on December 2, 1864. While under tow, the Mahoning capsized and foundered off Port Washington, resulting in the loss of two lives. The Marine Casualties list for 1864 records the total loss of the vessel ($7,000) and her cargo ($12,000), only partially covered by insurance.
In June 1865, salvors aboard the Magnet and Leviathan recovered valuable gear—including her steam pumps, anchors, chains, and rigging—from a point between Racine and Milwaukee. It’s believed this material was salvaged from where the Mahoning finally came to rest beneath Lake Michigan.
Though her days of carrying grain and lumber were over, the Mahoning’s story remains a dramatic reminder of the perils faced by 19th-century lake sailors.
3D Interactive Model
3D interactive model of the Mahoning by Andrew Goodman (3DShipwrecks.org) — CC BY-ND.