Quick Facts

History & Story

The Wisconsin was built in 1881 by the Detroit Dry Dock Company in Wyandotte, Michigan for the Goodrich Transportation Company, one of the major passenger and freight lines operating on the Great Lakes during the late nineteenth century. The iron-hulled steamer was designed to carry both passengers and general freight between ports along Lake Michigan.

In 1886, the vessel was sold to the Crosby Transportation Company and renamed Naomi. While operating under this name, the ship suffered a serious fire in mid-Lake Michigan on May 21, 1907. The burning vessel was assisted by the freighter Curry and towed to shipyards in Manitowoc, Wisconsin, where she underwent extensive rebuilding.

Following the death of owner Egbert G. Crosby in the 1912 sinking of the RMS Titanic, the vessel was renamed E.G. Crosby in his honor. During World War I, the ship was taken over by the United States Shipping Board and renamed General Robert O’Reilly, serving as a convalescent hospital ship.

After the war, the vessel returned to commercial service. She was purchased by the Seymour Transportation Company and renamed Pilgrim. When the Seymour Line later failed financially, the Goodrich Transportation Company reacquired the vessel and restored her original name, Wisconsin, returning the ship to Great Lakes freight service.

On the evening of October 29, 1929, while traveling from Chicago to Milwaukee, the Wisconsin encountered a severe northeasterly gale off Kenosha, Wisconsin. The vessel carried a typical package freighter cargo that included iron castings, boxed freight, and several automobiles. Contemporary reports noted that Packard automobiles and an Auburn-Cord touring car were among the cargo.

Heavy seas caused portions of the cargo to shift, and the ship began taking on water. Pumps were unable to control the flooding, and rescue vessels responded to the distress call. Several passengers and crew were safely evacuated, but the vessel continued to deteriorate as the storm intensified.

In the early morning hours, the Wisconsin suddenly plunged beneath the waves, taking nine crew members with her. Captain Dougal Morrison was recovered from the water but later died ashore.

The loss occurred on October 29, 1929, the same day as the Wall Street stock market crash, which marked the beginning of the Great Depression.

Historic View

Photo Highlights

Present-Day Dive Overview

Dive Type: Recreational / Technical
Depth Range: 100 to 130ft (30.5 to 39.6m)
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.

Located about 6 miles southeast of Kenosha, the Wisconsin rests upright in approximately 100 to 130 feet of water. The upper deck begins around 110 feet, while the lakebed sits near 130 feet, making the wreck suitable for either two advanced recreational dives within no-decompression limits or a single extended technical dive.

The hull, bow, and stern remain largely intact, though much of the superstructure has collapsed over time. The fallen deck beams and framing now expose portions of the cargo holds, creating an open layout that allows divers to see deep into the vessel’s interior.

One of the most notable features of the wreck is its cargo. Contemporary reports noted that the ship carried several automobiles, including Packard automobiles and an Auburn-Cord touring car. Some of these vehicles remain visible today in the upper cargo hold on the port side closer to the stern.

The opening on the port side allows divers to comfortably swim into the cargo hold where the automobiles rest. Because sections of the deck above have collapsed, natural light reaches into the space, illuminating the vehicles and creating one of the most memorable scenes on the wreck. While relatively open, the area is still an overhead environment and should only be entered by properly trained divers.

Farther forward, a large opening on the starboard side near the bow provides another point of access into the interior. Through this gap, divers can examine additional cargo holds where remnants of the ship’s freight—including shoes, radiators, electrical cables, and tar roofing—remain scattered throughout the bottom.

Near the bow, deck machinery including the windlass, capstan, and cargo elevator components can still be seen. At the stern, the ship’s propeller lies partially buried in the lakebed mud. Occasionally, divers may encounter burbot emerging from the shadows of the wreck, an unexpected but familiar resident of deep Lake Michigan wreck sites.

With its intact hull, exposed cargo holds, and historic automobiles preserved within the wreck, the Wisconsin offers a unique dive experience for both advanced recreational and technical divers in southern Lake Michigan.

3D Interactive Model

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