TRAMP – Identification & Site Information

• Other Names: Unknown
• Official No.: 226904
• Type at Loss: Gas-powered fish Tug
• Build Info: 1926, Rogers City, MI
• Specs: 56 x 16 x 4 ft, 56 tons
• Date of Loss: Circa 1970
• Place of Loss: Grand Traverse Bay, near Northport, MI
• Lake: Michigan
• Type of Loss: Unknown (Reported as “lost” with no specific details)
• Loss of Life: Unknown
• Carrying: Unknown

History and Description

The TRAMP was a gas-powered fish Tug, likely used for commercial fishing operations in the Great Lakes, specifically around the Michigan coastline. Built in 1926 in Rogers City, Michigan, the vessel had a relatively modest size of 56 feetin length, a 16-foot beam, and a 4-foot depth. The TRAMP was primarily employed for fishing and possibly supporting other maritime activities in the Grand Traverse Bay region.

The exact details of the TRAMP’s loss remain unclear. It is often referred to as “lost”, without clear records or specific incidents leading to its demise. This lack of documentation suggests that the sinking or abandonment may have occurred quietly or without much attention, or possibly due to natural causes like storm damage, a wreck, or operational failure.

Final Disposition

The TRAMP is known to have sunk or been Abandoned near Northport in Grand Traverse Bay. The vessel became a frequent dive target in the Traverse Bay Preserve, making it a popular site for divers interested in exploring historic wrecks. Due to its location, the wreckage of the TRAMP remains a part of the Grand Traverse Bay area’s maritime history and is a site of interest for both recreational and historical exploration.

Notable Features and Current Status

 The wreck of the TRAMP is part of the Traverse Bay Preserve, a designated area that preserves submerged historic shipwrecks. Divers and maritime enthusiasts frequently visit the site to observe the wreck.  As the TRAMP has not been formally documented as a “high-profile” shipwreck, little is known about the specifics of its loss beyond the general timeline of its disappearance, sometime around 1970.

Resources & Links

For further exploration of the TRAMP and similar wrecks in Grand Traverse Bay, visit local diving organizations or preserved shipwreck lists in Michigan’s shipwreck preserves. A few key resources include:

• Traverse Bay Preserve diving operations
• Michigan Shipwreck Research: Offers insights into shipwrecks across the Great Lakes region.
• Shipwreck Preservation Society: For diving tours and wreck history.

Conclusion

The TRAMP may not be as widely known as other historic wrecks of the Great Lakes, but its location in Grand Traverse Bay ensures its preservation and ongoing exploration. While many details of its loss remain unknown, the wreck continues to capture the interest of divers and those fascinated by the maritime history of the Great Lakes.