Historic Third Ward in Milwaukee in Milwaukee County, Wisconsin — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Sinking of the Lady Elgin

Photographed By Paul F, September 27, 2010

1. Sinking of the Lady Elgin Marker

Inscription. The loss of the sidewheel steamship Lady Elgin was one of Lake Michigan’s most tragic maritime disasters. On September 8th, 1860, the ship, returning to Milwaukee from Chicago, sank following a collision nine miles off Winnetka, Illinois. Milwaukee’s Irish Union Guards had chartered the grand Lady Elgin for a special Chicago benefit trip to raise funds to purchase new weapons. Wisconsin’s Governor Alexander Randall, an opponent of the federal fugitive slave law, suspected the Union Guards of disloyalty to the state because they supported the fugitive slave law. Randall ordered the unit to disband and confiscated the Guards’ weapons. In defiance, Union Guards commander Garrett Barry sought to arm the unit independently from the state.
Aboard the ship were more than 500 Union Guards supporters, mostly from the city’s Irish Third Ward, including city officials, members of two German militia units, and the Milwaukee City Band. In the early morning hours the ship was struck amidships by an unlit, overloaded lumber schooner, the Augusta. At least 300 lives were lost, decimating the Irish Third Ward community.

Erected 1996 by Wisconsin State Historical Society. (Marker Number 327.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Waterways & Vessels

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. In addition, it is included in the Wisconsin Historical Society series list. A significant historical month for this entry is September 1835.

Location. 43° 1.903′ N, 87° 54.565′ W. Marker is in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, in Milwaukee County. It is in the Historic Third Ward. Marker is at the intersection of North Water Street and East Erie Street, on the right when traveling north on North Water Street. Located on the southeast corner of North Water and East Erie Streets. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Milwaukee WI 53202, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Pabst Brewing Company Saloon & Boarding House (within shouting distance of this marker); Milwaukee Fire Department Engine House #15 (within shouting distance of this marker); Bradley & Metcalf Shoe Co. (within shouting distance of this marker); Young Saddlery Company Addition (within shouting distance of this marker); Keenan Building (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Cawker Building (about 400 feet away); Friend & Marks Co., Clothiers (about 400 feet away); Monarch Manufacturing Co., Clothiers (about 400 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Milwaukee.

Photographed By Melinda Roberts, August 21, 2012

2. Sinking of the Lady Elgin Marker

Photographed By Paul F, September 27, 2010

3. Sinking of the Lady Elgin Marker

Marker is to the left in this picture near the archway entrance to the Historic Third Ward.

Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., September 5, 2010

4. Sinking of the Lady Elgin Marker

At ground level on wall of building, below arch.

Credits. This page was last revised on February 16, 2023. It was originally submitted on October 26, 2010, by Paul Fehrenbach of Germantown, Wisconsin. This page has been viewed 1,821 times since then and 44 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on October 26, 2010, by Paul Fehrenbach of Germantown, Wisconsin. 2. submitted on August 21, 2012, by Melinda Roberts of De Pere, United States. 3. submitted on October 26, 2010, by Paul Fehrenbach of Germantown, Wisconsin. 4. submitted on November 28, 2010, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.