Identification & Specifications
- Name: Lomira
- Type: Two‑masted wooden Schooner
- Year Built: circa 1851–1852 in Manitowoc, Wisconsin, by shipbuilder C. Sorenson (wisconsinshipwrecks.org, Wikipedia)
- Home Port: Chicago, Illinois
- Dimensions: Length ~68 ft; Beam ~21.2 ft; Depth of Hold ~7 ft; Gross Tonnage ~89 tons (wisconsinshipwrecks.org)
Final Voyage & Loss
- Date of Loss: January 1853 (wreck date)
- Location: Kenosha, Wisconsin, Lake Michigan
- Circumstances: Wrecked ashore off Kenosha while carrying lumber; deemed a Total Loss (wisconsinshipwrecks.org)
- Losses:
- Lives Lost: None
- Cargo Loss: Lumber, property valued at approximately $1,500 (Wikimedia Commons, wisconsinshipwrecks.org)
Post‑Loss & Remains
- Enrollment: Last document surrendered at Chicago, April 6, 1852 – indicating vessel registration prior to wreck (wisconsinshipwrecks.org)
- Known Wreck Site: No confirmed archaeological discovery; presumed located off Kenosha harbor entrance (within diving depth but not verified) (wisconsinshipwrecks.org)
Summary Table
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Vessel | Lomira, wooden Schooner |
| Built | ~1851–1852, Manitowoc, WI |
| Tonnage | ~89 GT |
| Final Voyage | Wrecked at Kenosha, Jan 1853 |
| Cargo | Lumber |
| Loss | Property ~$1,500 |
| Crew | All survived (no lives lost) |
| Wreck Location | Off Kenosha (unconfirmed dive site) |
Sources & References
- Vessel details, tonnage, final voyage, cargo, and loss value: Wisconsin Shipwrecks database entry for Lomira (wisconsinshipwrecks.org)
- Historical newspaper quote (“Schooner Lomira, wrecked at Kenosha–cargo lumber. Loss of property $1,500.”): Ships and Shipwrecks of Manitowoc County citing the Milwaukee Sentinel, Jan 5, 1853 (2manitowoc.com)