Quick Facts
Vessel Name: Milwaukee Car Ferry
Type: Motor package freighter
Specs: 338ft (L) × 55ft (B) × 20ft (D)
Construction: Steel
Year Built: 1903
General Era: Late industrial–early modern maritime era
Vessel Service: Lake Michigan rail car ferry (Milwaukee–Grand Haven)
Date of Loss: Oct. 22, 1929
Cause of Loss: Foundered in a storm
Location: Lake Michigan, ~8.3 miles NNE of Milwaukee
Coordinate: 43° 08.179′ N, 87° 49.937′ W
Depth Range: 90 to 125ft (27.4 to 38.1m)
History & Story
Service History: From Launch to Legacy
The Manistique Marquette Northern I, a steam-powered, steel-hulled rail car ferry, was launched in December 1902 at Cleveland, Ohio. Built by the American Shipbuilding Company, the ship had a length of 318 feet and was equipped with four tracks, allowing it to carry up to 30 freight cars. It was registered with the official number 93363. For its early years, the ship served as a vital cargo carrier, traversing the waters of Lake Michigan between Manistique and Grand Haven.
In late 1908, the ship was sold to the Grand Trunk Milwaukee Car Ferry Company, and its name was changed to Milwaukee. It now operated on the Milwaukee-Grand Haven route, carrying freight and boxcars. Despite some ownership changes over the years, the Milwaukee proved itself reliable, only encountering minor accidents during its tenure. It became well-known for its role during the harsh winters, bravely enduring the freezing waters of Grand Haven harbor, a testament to its robust design.
But even the most steadfast vessels are not immune to the power of nature. In early 1908, the Milwaukee faced a major challenge. On January 5, the ferry was damaged by ice off the coast of Manistique. When it attempted to return to harbor, it sank at the Chicago Lumber Company dock. Fortunately, the ship was raised and repaired a few days later in South Chicago, ready to continue its service.
Bravery or Wrecklessness? The Milwaukee Car Ferry’s Fateful Journey Into the Storm
October 22, 1929, started like any other day as the Milwaukee departed Milwaukee at 3:00 p.m. for its return journey to Grand Haven. However, what followed would become a tragic chapter in the ferry’s history. The Milwaukee was heading into a powerful nor’easter, a storm that would soon become infamous for its intensity. While other captains chose to remain in port, the crew of the Milwaukee pressed on, possibly underestimating the ferocity of the coming gale.
By 3:45 p.m., the ship passed U.S. Lightship No. 95, three miles east of Milwaukee, already pitching and rolling heavily in the storm. That would be the last anyone would see of the ferry. By 8:30 p.m., the Milwaukee was taking on water rapidly. The vessel’s sea gate was bent inward, and the crew’s quarters were flooded. The ship attempted to turn back to Milwaukee, but it was clear the storm was overpowering.
For the next 36 hours, the Milwaukee remained lost to the world. There was no immediate concern, but as the hours ticked by, it became apparent that something was wrong. On the morning of October 24, the steamer Colonel spotted a field of wreckage near Racine. Over the next few days, bodies, lifeboats, and debris from the Milwaukee washed ashore. The storm had taken its toll, and the ferry was gone.
What Happened?
The exact cause of the Milwaukee Car Ferry’s sinking will never be known, as no survivors were found. However, based on the available evidence, it seems the ship may have turned to face the storm with its stern to the waves. With the sea gate compromised, water was able to flood the decks and eventually overwhelm the vessel. Despite its sturdy construction and the crew’s valiant efforts, the storm proved too much for the ferry.
Historic View
Photo Highlights
Present-Day Dive Overview
Dive Type: Recreational or Technical
Depth Range: 90 to 125ft (27.4 to 38.1m)
Certification: This site is suitable for divers with training and scuba certification(s) appropriate for the planned depth and conditions.
Depths are approximate and may vary with lake level, seasonal and weather conditions.
Considerations: Penetration is possible for those with the right training, making this a thrilling dive site for adventure seekers.
For more than four decades, the final resting place of the SS Milwaukee remained unknown. That changed on April 14, 1972, when a team of shipwreck hunters — Kent Bellrichard, John Steele, and Roger Chapman — located the wreck approximately eight miles off the Milwaukee breakwater.
The Milwaukee Car Ferry rests upright in approximately 130 feet of water on a sand and muck bottom. While the upper decks and sides continue to deteriorate, the main hull remains largely intact, preserving the vessel’s overall form and much of its interior structure.
The bow stands impressively strong — a testament to the reinforced construction typical of Great Lakes rail ferries. At the stern, the large sea gate appears bent, believed to have failed during the storm that led to the sinking. Two propellers remain visible on the lakebed beneath the stern.
Remnants of the railroad rail system used to load rail cars can still be seen along the main deck, and several rail cars remain on the wreck. Portions of the original cargo are also still visible, including tubs and sinks scattered within the structure. The detached pilot house rests off the port side near the bow and remains one of the most recognizable features of the site. Portions of the port-side smoke stack are also visible among the collapsed structures.
The wreck offers a rare opportunity to study Great Lakes rail ferry engineering both externally and internally, now further documented through high-resolution 3D photogrammetry.
3D Interactive Model
Click the image or follow this link to explore it.
3D model by Andrew Goodman (3DShipwrecks.org), in collaboration with the Wisconsin Historical Society — CC BY-ND.