During the 2025 NOAA hydrographic/documentation survey in the Milwaukee area of Lake Michigan, a previously unidentified small steam-powered tug was documented — one of five newly identified small wrecks from the field season.
🔹 Type: Steam-powered tug (unidentified)
đź“Ź Length: ~68 ft / 20.7 m
âš“ Condition: Highly collapsed (hull sides gone), but the machinery is beautifully diagnostic
🔥 Machinery observed: firebox boiler • single-expansion steam engine • prop shaft • propeller • rudder
đź“Ť Coordinates: Not publicly released yet (visible in survey imagery tied to the 3D model)
💡 Loss: Unknown — possibly scuttled (unconfirmed)
🧑‍🔬 3D Model: Built from 1,080 high-res 30MP images by Andrew Goodman (support: Kendra Kennedy)
🤝 Collaboration: Wisconsin Historical Society + Great Lakes Shipwreck Preservation Society (GLSPS)
🟡 Funding support: a gift from the Racine Lighthouse & Maritime Preservation Society
This is exactly the kind of site that deserves careful, no-touch documentation. Artifacts appear to remain in situ — and as always: Leave only bubbles, take only memories. 🫧
Read more on SLD
If anyone has candidate IDs for a ~68 ft steam tug that could match this machinery/layout in the Milwaukee area, drop leads below. 👇