Oak Creek in Milwaukee County, Wisconsin — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Schooner Lumberman
Historic Shipwreck
— Wisconsin’s Maritime Trails —
Photographed By Paul F, March 29, 2011
1. Schooner Lumberman Marker
Built: 1862, Hilyne C. Litchfield, Blendon’s Landing, Mich.;
Rebuilt 1889
Sank: April 7, 1892
Length: 126’ Beam 23’
Cargo: Lumber, wood products
Depth: 60’
Four miles offshore from this spot, 60 feet beneath the surface of Lake Michigan, lies the well-preserved wreck of the Lumberman. For three decades, the three-masted wooden schooner hauled lumber, barrel staves, railroad ties, and other forest products from isolated towns on Lake Michigan to the hungry markets of Chicago.
On April 6, 1893, Captain Orin Vose was sailing northward for the first load of the season. It was his first trip in command of the Lumberman. Suddenly, fierce southwest winds slammed into the ship. The crew frantically tried to shorten sail, but the winds were too strong. The Lumberman capsized and sank.
Entangled in the rigging, Captain Vose almost drowned. But he and the crew climbed to the top of the masts, which protruded above the water when the Lumberman settled on the bottom. Three hours later, the passing steamer Menominee rescued the sailors from their cold, precarious perch.
Erected by Wisconsin Historical Society, University of Wisconsin Sea Grant, Wisconsin Coastal Management Program.
Topics and series. This historical
this page online
Location. 42° 52.03′ N, 87° 50.37′ W. Marker is in Oak Creek, Wisconsin, in Milwaukee County. Marker can be reached from Ryan Road, one mile east of Wisconsin Highway 32. Marker is located in Bender Park at the far eastern end of Ryan Road, next to the boat launch. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Oak Creek WI 53154, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 8 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. 32nd Division Memorial Highway (approx. 3.3 miles away); Green Bay Road (approx. 3.7 miles away); 1888 Bohemian School House (approx. 4.7 miles away); 41 Twin Outdoor Theatre (approx. 6.3 miles away); General Mitchell Field (approx. 6.9 miles away); The Lighthouse (approx. 7.2 miles away); The Wind Point Lighthouse (approx. 7.2 miles away); The Light (approx. 7.2 miles away).
Also see . . . Wisconsin Ship Wrecks. (Submitted on April 4, 2011, by Paul Fehrenbach of Germantown, Wisconsin.)
Additional keywords. Shipwrecks
Photographed By Paul F, March 29, 2011
2. Schooner Lumberman Marker
Close-up of main text body
Photographed By Paul F, March 29, 2011
3. Schooner Lumberman Marker
Close-up of photo in upper left hand corner.
Historic image of schooner Burt Barnes, similar to the Lumberman. Photo courtesy Historic Collections of the Great Lakes, Bowling Green State University
Photographed By Paul F, March 29, 2011
4. Schooner Lumberman Marker
Close-up of lower left hand corner.
Today, the largely intact Lumberman reminds us of how much life on the Great Lakes has changed in the last 150 years.
Photographed By Paul F, March 29, 2011
5. Schooner Lumberman Marker
Close-up of archaelogical site plan.
Photographed By Paul F, March 29, 2011
6. Schooner Lumberman Marker
Looking out at Lake Michigan from the Bender Park dock house.
Credits. This page was last revised on August 5, 2021. It was originally submitted on March 30, 2011, by Paul Fehrenbach of Germantown, Wisconsin. This page has been viewed 789 times since then and 15 times this year. Last updated on May 10, 2011, by Paul Fehrenbach of Germantown, Wisconsin. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on March 30, 2011, by Paul Fehrenbach of Germantown, Wisconsin. • Kevin W. was the editor who published this page.
