Shipwreck Report: Steamer Waukegan (Formerly Tug Commodore) (1919–1935)

Identification & Site Information

• Vessel Name: Waukegan (formerly Commodore) Other Names: Built as Commodore, renamed Waukegan in 1920
• Official Number: 222863
• Vessel Type: Wooden propeller-driven passenger & package freight vessel
• Built: 1919, Sturgeon Bay Dry Dock, Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin (Hull #2479)
• Home Port: Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin
• Specifications Length: 143 feet (43.6 metres) Beam: 30 feet (9.1 metres)Depth: 17 feet (5.2 metres)
• Gross Tonnage: 763 tons
• Net Tonnage: 517 tons

Operational History

Built as a U.S. Government Tug (1919-1920) The vessel was originally constructed in 1919 as the Tug Commodore for U.S. government service. Built at Sturgeon Bay Dry Dock in Wisconsin, which was known for producing tugs, barges, and government vessels. She had a sister ship, the Kenosha, built for similar duties.

Converted for Passenger & Freight Service (1920)

In 1920, the Commodore was converted into a passenger and package freight vessel and renamed Waukegan. This transformation involved refitting the vessel with accommodations for passengers and cargo storage to serve the growing maritime trade on Lake Michigan.

Service Role on Lake Michigan

The Waukegan transported passengers, mail, and small freight cargo between ports on Lake Michigan, likely serving towns in Wisconsin, Illinois, and Michigan. She played a role in the early 20th-century shipping network, connecting rural communities to larger commercial centers like Chicago, Milwaukee, and Green Bay.

Final Loss and Destruction by Fire

• Date of Loss: December 5, 1935
• Location: Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin (winter dock)
• Cause: Fire
• Cargo at Loss: None (laid up for winter)
• Loss of Life: None

Incident Details

On December 5, 1935, while moored at her winter dock in Sturgeon Bay, the Waukegan caught fire and was destroyed. The fire engulfed multiple vessels at the dock, also destroying:

• • Kenosha (her sister ship)
• • Lucia A. Simpson (one of the last commercial sailing schooners on the Great Lakes)
• • Petoskey (a well-known freight vessel)
• • Swift (another wooden Steamer)

The blaze resulted in a Total Loss for all five vessels. The fire may have started due to heating equipment, electrical issues, or accidental ignition, but exact causes remain unknown.

Legacy and Significance

A Rare Tug-to-Passenger Vessel Conversion  The Waukegan was originally built as a government Tug but later converted into a passenger and freight Steamer, a relatively uncommon transformation. This adaptation reflected the economic demand for small package freighters and passenger services during the early 20th century.

Part of the Lake Michigan Transportation Network The Waukegan and similar vessels provided essential passenger and freight transport before the dominance of automobiles, railways, and modern ferries.

Major Fire Disaster in Sturgeon Bay The fire of December 1935 was a significant maritime disaster, leading to the destruction of five ships. The loss of the Lucia A. Simpson, one of the last commercial schooners on the Great Lakes, marked the end of an era for sail-powered cargo transport.

Wreck Site and Potential Remains

• Location: Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin
• Current Condition: The Waukegan was completely destroyed by fire, so no structural remains are expected. Any metal components (boiler, engine, fastenings) may have been salvaged or remain buried at the dock site.
• Potential for Discovery: The dock area may contain debris from the multiple vessels lost in the fire.
• Underwater archaeology or sonar scans could identify wreck remnants or artifacts in Sturgeon Bay.

Further Research and Resources

• Door County Maritime Museum (Sturgeon Bay, WI) https://www.dcmm.org Features exhibits on Sturgeon Bay shipbuilding, tugs, and maritime fires.
• Maritime History of the Great Lakes http://www.maritimehistoryofthegreatlakes.ca Contains records on Great Lakes vessels, conversions, and ship losses.
• Wisconsin Historical Society – Great Lakes Shipwrecks https://www.wisconsinshipwrecks.org Documents Wisconsin’s maritime history, including ship fires and wrecks.
• Marine Museum of the Great Lakes at Kingstono= https://www.marmuseum.caHolds records on Great Lakes tugs and converted Passenger Vessels.
• David Swayze Shipwreck File

Conclusion

The Waukegan (1919–1935) had a unique history, starting as a U.S. government Tug (Commodore) before being converted into a passenger and freight Steamer. She played a vital role in Lake Michigan transport before being destroyed in the 1935 Sturgeon Bay fire, which also consumed four other ships. Though no physical remains are expected, the loss is a notable chapter in Great Lakes maritime history.