Port Washington in Ozaukee County, Wisconsin — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
The Northerner
Photographed By Devon Polzar, 2018
1. The Northerner Marker
Inscription.
The Northerner. . Built in 1850 by John Oades of Clayton, NY, the Northerner began as a lakeshoring vessel on Lake Ontario, transporting general merchandise to and from American and Canadian ports for Henry T. Bacon. Around 1863 the Northerner began its career on Lake Michigan, transporting lumber. Based out of Chicago, and later Milwaukee, the schooner worked near Lakeshore towns along Lake Michigan for the last five years of her career. In November 1868, while in the process of loading cord wood at a pier in Amsterdam, WI (present day Cedar Grove) the hull of the Northerner was severely damaged.
The schooner traveled to Port Washington for repairs, however due to the extent of the damage it required further repairs in Milwaukee. A second ship, the Cuyahoga, was chosen to tow the damaged vessel back to Milwaukee on November 29th. While under tow, the Northerner capsized and sank into 130 feet of water near Port Ulao, just five miles southeast of Port Washington. Luckily, the entire crew was safely rescued by the tow ship. Today, the Northerner still remains at the location where it sank, fully loaded with its cargo, and is regularly visited by scuba divers. The Northerner represents a relatively undocumented class of Great Lakes vessels. Historians and archaeologists continue to study involvement with trade around the Great Lakes.
Built in 1850 by John Oades of Clayton, NY, the Northerner began as a lakeshoring vessel on Lake Ontario, transporting general merchandise to and from American and Canadian ports for Henry T. Bacon. Around 1863 the Northerner began its career on Lake Michigan, transporting lumber. Based out of Chicago, and later Milwaukee, the schooner worked near Lakeshore towns along Lake Michigan for the last five years of her career. In November 1868, while in the process of loading cord wood at a pier in Amsterdam, WI (present day Cedar Grove) the hull of the Northerner was severely damaged.
The schooner traveled to Port Washington for repairs, however due to the extent of the damage it required further repairs in Milwaukee. A second ship, the Cuyahoga, was chosen to tow the damaged vessel back to Milwaukee on November 29th. While under tow, the Northerner capsized and sank into 130 feet of water near Port Ulao, just five miles southeast of Port Washington. Luckily, the entire crew was safely rescued by the tow ship. Today, the Northerner still remains at the location where it sank, fully loaded with its cargo, and is regularly visited by scuba divers. The Northerner represents a relatively undocumented class of Great Lakes vessels. Historians and archaeologists continue to study involvement with trade around the Great Lakes.
Erected by
Click or scan to see this page online
Eagle Scout Project - Eric Drewitz - Troop 875 of Port Washington.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Waterways & Vessels.
Location. 43° 23.059′ N, 87° 51.903′ W. Marker is in Port Washington, Wisconsin, in Ozaukee County. Marker is located in Coal Dock Park, 190 S. Wisconsin St. The marker is at the southeastern end of the boardwalk at the eastern edge of the park along Lake Michigan. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Port Washington WI 53074, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Credits. This page was last revised on February 3, 2019. It was originally submitted on January 31, 2019, by Devon Polzar of Port Washington, Wisconsin. This page has been viewed 157 times since then and 10 times this year. Photos:1, 2, 3. submitted on January 31, 2019, by Devon Polzar of Port Washington, Wisconsin. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.
