Lake City in Wabasha County, Minnesota — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)
The Sea Wing Disaster
Photographed by Keith L, July 22, 2011
1. The Sea Wing Disaster Marker
On July 13, 1890, the steamer "Sea Wing", with covered barge alongside, and 215 passengers aboard was returning from a Sunday excursion down the Mississippi River to Lake City. At 8 p.m., Captain D.N. Wethern had guided the steamer 5 miles up Lake Pepin and was equidistant between Maiden Rock and Central Point when a terrible storm swept through. An overwhelming toll of women and children were among the 98 lives lost.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Waterways & Vessels. In addition, it is included in the Lost at Sea series list. A significant historical month for this entry is July 1905.
Location. 44° 27.409′ N, 92° 16.656′ W. Marker is in Lake City, Minnesota, in Wabasha County. It is on North Lakeshore Drive (U.S. 61 / 63) north of West Clay Street, on the right when traveling north. Marker is along Lake Pepin, a widening of the Mississippi River. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Lake City MN 55041, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in Southeast Minnesota. It is also in the American Midwest, in the Corn Belt, in the Driftless Area Bluff Country, and in the Great River Road Region. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once Ruperts Land, the territory of the Mississippian Culture, and the Louisiana Purchase.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within one mile of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Gold Star Memorial (approx. 0.4 miles away); Ralph W. Samuelson (approx. 0.6 miles away); The First Settler (approx. 0.7 miles away); Ralph Samuelson (approx. 0.7 miles away); Patton Park (approx.
this page online
Related marker. Click here for another marker that is related to this marker. The Sea Wing Disaster / Victims of the Sea Wing Disaster
Also see . . .
1. Sea Wing Disaster, 1890. MNopedia website entry (Submitted on July 22, 2023, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)
2. Wayback Machine. 98 People Killed; Day-long excursion on Lake Pepin turns into one of the deadliest disasters on Upper Mississippi. "The Sea Wing probably had made it less than halfway back to Red Wing when swallowed by storms. Wether later testified he had been crossing Lake Pepin to seek shelter beneath bluffs on the Wisconsin side of the river when a 'squall' came off the Minnesota shore. Wether turned the Sea Wing into the approaching squall and held course for several minutes. The Sea Wing was likely abreast of Maiden Rock, a landmark on the Wisconsin shore." (Submitted on August 2, 2011.)
via MNopedia, 1889
2. The steamer Sea Wing, c.1889.
Photographed by Keith L, July 22, 2011
3. The Sea Wing Disaster Marker
Photographed by Keith L, July 22, 2011
4. Lake Pepin / Mississippi River
Photographed by Keith L, July 22, 2011
5. Lake Pepin / Mississippi River
Maiden Rock is in the distance.
Credits. This page was last revised on April 22, 2026. It was originally submitted on August 2, 2011, by Keith L of Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin. This page has been viewed 1,968 times since then and 37 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on August 2, 2011, by Keith L of Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin. 2. submitted on July 22, 2023, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York. 3, 4, 5. submitted on August 2, 2011, by Keith L of Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin.
