Port Washington in Ozaukee County, Wisconsin — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Toledo 1854-1856
Photographed by Devon Polzar, 2019
1. Toledo 1854-1856 Marker
Inscription.
Toledo 1854-1856. . The Toledo was a steamship that was built for the freight and passenger trade in the upper lakes area. It was commissioned by Charles H. Lee and Associates in 1854 and taken over by the American Transportation Company in 1855. The Toledo was part of the fleet that included ten other ships.
The fleet was a combination of freight and passenger steamers which originally transported European immigrants traveling to Wisconsin and Minnesota.
On October 22, 1856, on her way to Chicago, the Toledo docked at Port Washington, WI. While some of the passengers ended their journey there and disembarked, an estimate of 80 passengers stayed on board. The ship took on a load of cordwood intended for fuel and prepared for departure. Once offshore, the Toledo was struck by strong gale force winds, forcing it back towards the shore. The ship used all of its power to counteract the winds and attempted to anchor to no avail.
Despite the Toledo's best efforts, she struck bottom with tremendous force and quickly pounded to pieces by the massive rolling waves. Only two passengers survived the onslaught.
Years later, in 1900, the anchor was recovered by Delos Smith's fishing tug and placed in Union Cemetery in Port Washington where it lies today as a memorial to the lives lost in the Niagara (September) and Toledo (October) tragedies that year.
The Toledo was a steamship that was built for the freight and passenger trade in the upper lakes area. It was commissioned by Charles H. Lee and Associates in 1854 and taken over by the American Transportation Company in 1855. The Toledo was part of the fleet that included ten other ships.
The fleet was a combination of freight and passenger steamers which originally transported European immigrants traveling to Wisconsin and Minnesota.
On October 22, 1856, on her way to Chicago, the Toledo docked at Port Washington, WI. While some of the passengers ended their journey there and disembarked, an estimate of 80 passengers stayed on board. The ship took on a load of cordwood intended for fuel and prepared for departure. Once offshore, the Toledo was struck by strong gale force winds, forcing it back towards the shore. The ship used all of its power to counteract the winds and attempted to anchor to no avail.
Despite the Toledo's best efforts, she struck bottom with tremendous force and quickly pounded to pieces by the massive rolling waves. Only two passengers survived the onslaught.
Years later, in 1900, the anchor was recovered by Delos Smith's fishing tug and placed in Union Cemetery in Port Washington where it lies today as a memorial to the lives lost in the Niagara (September) and Toledo (October) tragedies that year.
Erected 2018
Click or scan to see this page online
by Eagle Scout Project created by Darian Drewitz, Troop 875, Port Washington.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Disasters • Waterways & Vessels. In addition, it is included in the Lost at Sea series list.
Location. 43° 23.095′ N, 87° 51.867′ W. Marker is in Port Washington, Wisconsin, in Ozaukee County. It can be reached from South Wisconsin Street. The marker is near the eastern end of the park at the end of one of the boardwalk overlooks. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: Coal Dock Park 146 S Wisconsin St, Port Washington WI 53074, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in Southeast Wisconsin and in Greater Milwaukee. It is also in the American Midwest, on the Great Lakes, and in the Corn Belt. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture and also the Northwest Territory.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are
Another marker is no longer nearby. Coal Dock Park Prairie Restoration (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been confirmed missing).
Photographed by Devon Polzar, 2019
3. Toledo 1854-1856 Marker Photos Close Up 3
Photographed by Devon Polzar, 2019
4. Toledo 1854-1856 Marker
Photographed by Devon Polzar, 2019
5. Toledo 1854-1856 Marker Photos Close Up 2
Credits. This page was last revised on June 29, 2019. It was originally submitted on June 27, 2019, by Devon Polzar of Port Washington, Wisconsin. This page has been viewed 316 times since then and 40 times this year. Photos:1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on June 27, 2019, by Devon Polzar of Port Washington, Wisconsin. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.
