Explore the Edward E. Gillen – Now in Stunning 3D!

We’re thrilled to announce that 3DShipwrecks.org has unveiled its latest interactive wreck model: the fully intact steel harbor tug Edward E. Gillen. This 1908-built vessel, lost in 1981 during a towing accident with the U.S. Coast Guard icebreaker Westwind, now lies upright and preserved in 74 feet of Lake Michigan, just 2.5 miles off Milwaukee.

View the 3D Model Now:
https://3dshipwrecks.org/shipwreck-edward-e-gillen

The Tug with Three Lives

Originally launched as Erstus C. Knight in Buffalo, New York, this steel-hulled tug had a working career that spanned seven decades under three different names:

Erstus C. Knight (1908–1917)
Aubrey (1917–1964)
Edward E. Gillen (1964–1981)

She served everywhere from Erie, PA to Milwaukee, WI, transitioning from steam to diesel propulsion in 1928 and surviving multiple rebuilds and ownership changes. The tug was renamed in 1964 to honor an earlier wooden vessel lost in 1903 — and became a staple in the harbor operations of the Edward E. Gillen Co.

The Sinking: Missteps & a Fast Capsize

The final chapter of the Gillen came suddenly on June 3, 1981, during cable-testing exercises with the 286-ft USCG icebreaker Westwind. A fatal misjudgment in attaching the towline to the tug’s stern — rather than the bow — resulted in a catastrophic force mismatch. As the icebreaker moved ahead, the Gillen was pulled stern-first into the lake. She capsized in under 7 minutes.

Thanks to quick action by the Westwind, all four crew members were rescued from the 48°F (9°C) water, and the incident was later documented in the Wisconsin Submerged Cultural Resource Survey (SCRS).

A Time Capsule Underwater

The wreck of the Edward E. Gillen is a diver’s dream: she rests upright on the lakebed, remarkably intact, with key features including:

Her pilot house and engine room preserved
Fully recognizable hull form
Wreck orientation suitable for recreational and tech divers
Located just a half-mile from the Prins Willem V site

This new 3D model allows anyone — diver or landlubber — to virtually explore the wreck’s structure and features from any angle.

Want the Full Backstory?

Detailed technical documentation, ownership timeline, registry details, and construction history of the Edward E. Gillen (and her prior incarnations) is now available at Shotline Diving:

Read the Wreck Profile:
https://shotlinediving.com/docs/edward-e-gillen-us-205312-erstus-c-knight-aubrey/

Dive In — Digitally or For Real

Whether you’re a researcher, diver, maritime historian, or just a shipwreck enthusiast, the Edward E. Gillen offers a rare glimpse into 20th-century tugboat construction, dieselization, and harbor operations — capped by a rare accident documented in both U.S. Coast Guard and SCRS archives.

Dive the wreck. Learn her story. Share the legacy.