Vessel Signals to Open Bridge, etc.
Milwaukee Code of Ordinances § 118-38
in effect118-38. Vessel Signals to Open Bridge, etc.
All vessels, crafts or floats, while navigating, lying or being within that part of Milwaukee which is within the limits of the city, or while navigating, lying or being within any of the rivers of navigable waters within the limits of the city, are prohibited from blowing any steam whistle, for any purpose whatever, except:
1. THREE BLASTS. That when it shall be necessary for them to pass through any bridge within the limits of the city - other than the bridge across the Menomonee river, at the foot of N. Plankinton avenue, and the railroad bridge located about one half block east of the last mentioned bridge, the railroad bridge of the Chicago and Northwestern railroad across the Kinnickinnic river, between Kinnickinnic avenue and S. First street, the Cherry street bridge and the Kinnickinnic avenue bridge - they may give 3 short blasts of the whistle, each blast not to exceed 2 seconds in length, as a signal for such bridge to open.
2. FOUR BLASTS. And as a signal for opening the bridge across the Menomonee river, and the 2 railroad bridges, and the Kinnickinnic avenue bridge, they may give 4 short blasts of the whistle, each blast not to exceed 2 seconds in length.
3. TWO BLASTS. And as a signal for opening Cherry street bridge they may give 2 short blasts of the whistle, each blast not to exceed 2 seconds in length.
4. AS SIGNAL ONLY. Provided, however, that no tug, propeller or steamboat shall sound her whistle while occupying the draw of any bridge in this city, or within 100 feet thereof, unless the same shall be blown by a steamer, propeller or tug lying at a dock as the signal for the opening of the next nearest bridge.
5. FIVE LONG BLASTS, FIRE. Provided, however, that in the event of a fire occurring on board any vessel, except vessels under way, or on the dock to which such vessel is moored, such vessel may sound 5 prolonged blasts of from 4 to 6 seconds duration each on the whistle or siren as an alarm indicating such fire. Such signal may be repeated at intervals to attract attention. It shall be illegal to use such signal for any other purpose. Such signal shall not be used as a substitute for, but may be used in addition to, other means of reporting a fire. Nothing contained herein shall be construed to prohibit the blowing of whistles by any vessel, craft or float in compliance with applicable federal or state law or rules.
Source: City of Milwaukee Legislative Reference Bureau, Milwaukee City Charter and Code of Ordinances (city.milwaukee.gov master PDFs)URL: https://city.milwaukee.gov/ImageLibrary/Groups/ccClerk/Ordinances/Volume-1/CH118.pdf#page=19Fetched: 10/26/2026