Identification & Site Information

  • Name: R.G. Peters
  • Former Names: None
  • Official Registry Number: 110424
  • Date Built & Launched: 1880, Milwaukee Ship Yard Company, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
  • Measurements: 175 feet (53.34 metres) length, 31 feet (9.45 metres) beam, 10 feet (3.05 metres) depth
  • Tonnage: 386 gross tons
  • Date Lost: December 1, 1882

Vessel Type

Wooden propeller-driven steambarge (bulk freight carrier)

Description

The R.G. Peters was a wooden-hulled steambarge designed for bulk freight transport, primarily in the lumber trade. Built in 1880 by the Milwaukee Ship Yard Company, she was equipped to carry substantial cargoes, with a capacity of up to 400,000 board feet of lumber. The vessel was iron-strapped for added structural integrity and was valued at $32,000 at the time of her loss.

History

Operating mainly between Manistee and Chicago, the R.G. Peters was a vital component of the Great Lakes lumber industry in the late 19th century. On December 1, 1882, while en route from Chicago to Manistee in ballast, the vessel encountered a severe blizzard-gale approximately 40 miles off the coast of Milwaukee, Wisconsin. During the storm, the R.G. Peters caught fire and ultimately Foundered. Tragically, all 14 crew members perished in the disaster. The incident was reported by her consort, the Schooner A.W. Luckey, which survived the storm. The following summer, the body of the R.G. Peters’ mate was discovered floating off Kewaunee, Wisconsin, by the wrecking Tug Leviathan.

Final Disposition

The R.G. Peters was completely destroyed by fire and sank in Lake Michigan. No wreckage was recovered at the time, and the exact location of the wreck remains unknown.

Located By & Date Found

Nil return.

NOTMARs & Advisories

Nil return.

Resources & Links

Conclusion

The loss of the R.G. Peters underscores the perils faced by maritime vessels operating on the Great Lakes during the 19th century, particularly during the treacherous winter months. Despite the absence of a located wreck, the incident remains a significant chapter in the maritime history of Lake Michigan.

Suggested Keywords, Categories, and Glossary Terms

  • Keywords: R.G. Peters, Lake Michigan shipwreck, 1882 maritime disaster, Great Lakes steambarge, lumber trade vessel
  • Categories: Great Lakes Shipwrecks, Maritime History, 19th Century Shipping
  • Glossary Terms: Steambarge, Iron-Strapped Hull, Ballast, Consort Vessel