Identification & Site Information:
- • Name(s): Peter W.
- • Registry: United States
- • Official Number: 248805
- • Vessel Type: Fish Tug
- • Year Built: 1945
- • Year Sank: 1980s
- • Hull Material: Wood
- • Engines: None
- • Dimensions:
- • Length: 34.8 ft (10.6 m)
- • Width: 11.6 ft (3.5 m)
- • Depth: 5.0 ft (1.5 m)
Vessel Type
The Peter W. was a small wooden fish Tug, a vessel type designed specifically for commercial fishing operations. Fish tugs were robust, durable boats used to tow nets, retrieve catches, and navigate challenging Great Lakes waters.
Description
Built in 1945, the Peter W. served for decades as a working fish Tug on Lake Michigan, contributing to the region’s commercial fishing industry. By the 1980s, the vessel had reached the end of its operational life and sank under unknown circumstances. Its sinking may have been deliberate, a result of structural failure, or due to adverse conditions.
Final Dispositions
The wreck of the Peter W. lies at a depth of 55 ft (16.8 m) in Lake Michigan, near Wisconsin.
• The Hull of the vessel remains largely intact on the lakebed.
• The Deck has dislodged and lies forward of the Hull, suggesting possible storm or structural damage prior to or during sinking.
• Scattered around the site are fragments of the cabin, further indicating the wreck’s deterioration over time.
Located By & Date Found
The wreck has been documented as part of Wisconsin’s ongoing efforts to preserve its maritime history. It serves as an example of the smaller work vessels that were essential to the Great Lakes’ commercial fishing industry.
NOTMARs & Advisories
The site’s moderate depth makes it accessible to recreational divers with some experience. Divers should approach with care due to the fragile state of the wreck and avoid disturbing or removing artifacts, which is prohibited under Wisconsin’s preservation laws.
Resources & Links
3D Model – Peter W
Peter W by 3DShipwrecks on Sketchfab
Keywords, Categories, Glossary
Keywords: Peter W., Lake Michigan Shipwrecks, Fish Tug, Wisconsin Shipwrecks
Categories: Great Lakes Shipwrecks, Maritime History, Commercial Fishing Vessels
Glossary: Fish Tug, Dislodged Deck, Commercial Fishing Industry, Scattered Cabin Wreckage
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