(built 1868; lost April 16, 1880)
Wooden two‑masted scow‑Schooner
Identification & Build
- Constructed in 1868 at Holland, Michigan by local shipwrights.
- Home Port: Milwaukee or Racine, Wisconsin.
- Often used on western Lake Michigan, hauling general cargo such as lumber, cordwood, stone, or ties.
(wisconsinshipwrecks.org, wisconsinshipwrecks.org)
Final Voyage & Loss
- On April 16, 1880, while attempting entry into Milwaukee Harbor, Evergreen was struck by a spring gale. Efforts to reach the Breakwater failed as she was driven ashore and pounded to pieces on the rocks near the harbor mouth.
- She was carrying a light load (e.g. lumber or stone) at the time.
(Great Lakes Shipwreck Files, Great Lakes Shipwreck Files) - Crew survival appears to have been complete; no loss of life is recorded.
- The damage was so severe that her enrollment was officially surrendered in Milwaukee on April 23, 1880, listing her as a Total Loss.
(wisconsinshipwrecks.org)
Survey & Legacy
- No dive site or modern wreck survey exists, as the vessel broke up in very shallow water and was effectively disassembled or scoured away.
- Her loss was part of a series of scow Schooner casualties near Milwaukee, including Contest and other small freighters forced into a dangerous harbor entry in storms.
(Great Lakes Shipwreck Files, wisconsinshipwrecks.org)
Summary Table
| Field | Detail |
|---|---|
| Vessel Name | Evergreen |
| Built | 1868, Holland, Michigan |
| Type | Scow‑Schooner (wooden, two-masted) |
| Loss Date | April 16, 1880 |
| Loss Location | Near Milwaukee harbor Breakwater, Lake Michigan |
| Cargo at Loss | Light cargo (lumber, stone, etc.) |
| Cause of Loss | Driven ashore in gale while entering harbor |
| Crew & Casualties | No casualties reported |
| Final Status | Broken up ashore; Total Loss |
| Registration Surrender | April 23, 1880 |
Context & Additional Notes
- Evergreen typifies smaller cargo scows vulnerable to spring gales on western Lake Michigan, particularly when attempting to navigate pier entrances in high wind and surf.
- Her demise echoes similar losses like Contest (1872–1897) and others driven ashore near Milwaukee in the same era—often leading to quick abandonment due to Hull destruction.
(wisconsinshipwrecks.org, Links to the Past, Great Lakes Shipwreck Files, Links to the Past)
Suggested Further Research
To expand the record or locate archival material on Evergreen, consider:
- Local Newspaper Archives (April 1880) — editions of the Milwaukee Sentinel, Milwaukee Journal or Bay View newspapers may cover the wreck and salvage attempts.
- Maritime Underwriter Records or Insurance Logs — loss claims associated with Official Number 11895 and fleet valuation.
- Port Authority or Enrollment Records in Milwaukee — documentation of the vessel’s formal abandonment and enrollment surrender.