Newspaper Sources & Digital Access
Set up for the Michigan papers, but replace name of paper, lake and or country and same sequence works.
| Newspaper | Date Range of Interest | Digital Access |
|---|---|---|
| Door County Advocate (Sturgeon Bay, WI) | 1862–present (focus 1870–1930) | Newspapers.com, Wisconsin Historical Newspapers |
| Milwaukee Journal | 1882–1995 | Newspapers.com, Google News Archive |
| Milwaukee News | 1870s–1890s (sporadic) | Chronicling America, local Milwaukee library microfilm |
Core Maritime Search Keywords
Use exact phrases or proximity searches where supported. Combine ship type + event + location.
| Category | Keywords / Phrases | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Ship Type | “schooner”, “steam tug”, “propeller”, “scow”, “fish tug”, “yacht” | Many small craft were referred to generically; try plural and singular |
| Vessel Name | "M.C. Springer", "Luise M." | Use quotes to force exact match; watch for spelling variations (Springar, Louise M) |
| Events / Wrecks | “wrecked”, “stranded”, “sunk”, “sank”, “foundered”, “abandoned”, “capsized”, “drifted from moorings” | Most common terms in 19th‑c wreck reports |
| Winter / Ice Losses | “carried from moorings”, “jammed in ice”, “ice carried”, “winter lay-up”, “crushed by ice” | Critical for harbor wrecks like M.C. Springer |
| Harbor & Local Features | “Milwaukee Harbor”, “Kenosha Harbor”, “Oak Creek”, “Racine dock”, “Winthrop Harbor” | Helps pinpoint winter and nearshore wrecks |
| Marine Reports / Notices | “Marine Intelligence”, “Local Marine Notes”, “Marine Casualties”, “Marine Disasters” | Newspaper section headers where wreck notes appear |
| Official / Legal | “abandoned to underwriters”, “surrendered enrollment”, “Registry No.”, “Marine Board” | Triggers for official abandonment notices |
| Casualties / Rescues | “crew rescued”, “picked up by steamer”, “lifeboat”, “clung to wreckage” | Use for human-interest angles and rescue logs |
Advanced Search Tips
- Use Date Filters
Narrow searches to seasonal risk windows:- October–December: Early gales, first ice movement (like M.C. Springer 1892)
- March–April: Ice-out accidents, mooring drifts
- August–September: Summer fruit/fish runs (Luise M. 1916)
- Search by Port Logs
Add nearby ports:- Door County Advocate: Sturgeon Bay, Fish Creek, Baileys Harbor
- Milwaukee papers: Kenosha, Racine, Oak Creek, Port Washington
- Combine Vessel Type + Location
Example:schooner sunk Oak Creek tug lost Kenosha Harbor “ice carried” Milwaukee Harbor - Cross-Reference with Enrollment Data
If a registry number or enrollment is known (e.g., M.C. Springer #91936), search legal/insurance notices in Milwaukee papers.
Recommended Workflow for Shipwreck Research
- Identify Vessel Name Variants
- Confirm spelling in HCGL Bowling Green or Swayze’s Wreck List.
- Check local dialect spellings (Luise vs Louise).
- Search Door County Advocate First
- Focus on launch reports, departure notes, early incidents.
- Usually includes smaller craft that big Milwaukee papers overlooked.
- Follow-up in Milwaukee Papers
- Look for storm coverage, ice jams, and rescue details.
- Search 2–7 days after the event for official abandonment notices.
- Cross-Verify with Official Records
- Enrollment surrender date in Milwaukee is often cited.
- Match with US Steamboat Inspection Service or Marine Board reports if available.