Wisconsin History Day By Day

Related Web Sites:
The Great Lakes Shipwreck File

Wisconsin's Lake Michigan Shipwrecks

Photographs of the "Wisconsin"


Read More About It

"Ghost Ships of the Great Lakes" by Dwight Boyer

"S.S. Wisconsin Shipwrecked Vessel" (videorecording)


Interesting Fact:

The ship was named the "Wisconsin" when built, but had its name changed four times before being renamed "Wisconsin" again in 1924.


Study Questions:

  • What caused the "Wisconsin" to sink?
  • What port had the "Wisconsin" left, and where was the ship headed?
  • What other tragedies took place on Lake Michigan that fall?


    Search these newspaper databases for additional stories about major shipwrecks in Lake Michigan:

  • Newspapers on BadgerLink
  • Wisconsin Historical Society


    U.S. historical events that occurred on October 29:

    1929: "Black Tuesday" hits the New York Stock Exchange, signaling the start of the Great Depression.
    1966: The National Organization of Women is founded.



    • October 29

    October 29, 1929: The steamship "Wisconsin" sank in Lake Michigan. Early reports state that nine people are killed but later it is confirmed that 16 crew members died in the accident.

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