The Frank O'Connor was bound for Milwaukee with a load of 3,000 tons of coal when she caught fire, burned to her water line and sank. The 21 man crew took to the life boats and all safely arrived at Cana Island Lighthouse some two and a half miles away.

This massive wooden carrier was a common sight off the Wisconsin coast, carrying coal from eastern ports to Lake Michigan ports. Her length was 301 feet, which was exceptionally long for a wooden ship. Shipbuilders compensated for her tremendous length by adding steel strapping around and along her hull for additional support. The O¿Connor was among the last of the large wooden bulk carriers as shipbuilders introduced new steel vessel designs.

Of particular interest to divers today are her innovative triple expansion steam engine, boilers rising over twenty feet from the bottom, propeller and shat, rudder, anchors and chains, and a steam windless at her bow.

State and federal laws protect this shipwreck. Divers may not remove artifacts or structure when visiting this shipwreck site. Removing, defacing, displacing or destroying artifacts or sites is a crime. More information on Wisconsin's historic shipwrecks may be found by visiting Wisconsin's Great Lakes Shipwrecks website.