Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: A.H. Pitz
- Type: Wooden Steam Screw Tug
- Year Built: 1923
- Builder: McMullen & Pitz Construction Company
- Dimensions: 69.66 ft (21.23 m) length × 18.00 ft (5.49 m) beam × 8.42 ft (2.56 m) depth of hold
- Registered Tonnage: 52.00
- Depth at Wreck Site: 3 m / 10 ft
- Location: Mouth of the Amnicon River, Lake Superior, Douglas County, Wisconsin
- Coordinates: 46° 41.29′ N / 91° 51.25′ W
- Official Number: 222872
- Original Owners: E.C. Knutson Co. (final owner)
- Number of Masts: Not specified
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
The A.H. Pitz is classified as a wooden steam screw tug, designed for harbor service and light coastal operations.
Description
The A.H. Pitz was a 21.23 m (69.66 ft) wooden steam screw tug built in 1923 by the McMullen & Pitz Construction Company of Manitowoc, Wisconsin. Its hull was of wood construction, powered by a steam screw propulsion system typical of early 20th-century tug design. The vessel’s modest dimensions and 52 gross tonnage made it suitable for harbor service, towing, and light coastal operations. Today, the wreck is partially buried in shallow water at the mouth of the Amnicon River, retaining elements of its hull and framing.
History
Built for the McMullen & Pitz Construction Company, the tug was named after company partner Armond Pitz. In 1944, the vessel was sold to the Northern Hardwood Veneers Company of Duluth, Minnesota, and the following year to Walter W. Bowe. In 1947, the vessel was purchased by E.C. Knutson, a dry dock company in Superior, Wisconsin. By 1951, the vessel was deemed surplus and abandoned at the mouth of the Amnicon River, where it has remained since.
Significant Incidents
- 1944: Sold to Northern Hardwood Veneers Company.
- 1945: Sold to Walter W. Bowe.
- 1947: Purchased by E.C. Knutson.
- 1951: Abandoned at the mouth of the Amnicon River.
Final Disposition
The A.H. Pitz was abandoned in 1951. No lives were lost. The wreck lies in shallow water, partially buried but still discernible, and was charted as a visible feature with high positional accuracy during NOAA hydrographic surveys in 1981–82.
Current Condition & Accessibility
The wreck is partially buried in shallow water, with visible structure remains. It is accessible via shore entry at the Amnicon River mouth, but divers should be aware of variable visibility and seasonal weed growth.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”a-h-pitz-us-2370″ title=”References & Links” show_ref_button=”yes”]
As a diver, remember to respect the site by adhering to the principle of ‘leave only bubbles, take only memories.’ The A.H. Pitz serves as a reminder of maritime history and the importance of preserving our underwater heritage.
Legacy Notes & Full Historical Record
This section preserves the original unedited Shotline content for this wreck so that no historical detail is lost as we transition to the new logbook format.
Identification Card
Name: A.H. Pitz
Type: Wooden Steam Screw Tug
Builder: McMullen & Pitz Construction Company
Build Year: 1923
Construction Location: Manitowoc, Wisconsin, USA
Dimensions: 21.23 m (69.66 ft) length × 5.49 m (18.00 ft) beam × 2.56 m (8.42 ft) depth of hold
Gross Tonnage: 52.00
Propulsion: Steam screw
Hull Material: Wood
Cargo on Final Voyage: None (abandoned vessel)
Date of Loss: 1951
Location: Mouth of the Amnicon River, Lake Superior, Douglas County, Wisconsin
Primary Coordinates: 46° 41.29′ N / 91° 51.25′ W
Alternate Survey Coordinates (1981–82): 46° 41′ 32.37″ N / 91° 51′ 29.57″ W
Depth: Shallow water (partially exposed)
Owners: E.C. Knutson Co. (final owner)
Home Port: Superior, Wisconsin, USA
Registry Number: 222872
Description
The A.H. Pitz was a 21.23 m (69.66 ft) wooden steam screw tug built in 1923 by the McMullen & Pitz Construction Company of Manitowoc, Wisconsin. Its hull was of wood construction, powered by a steam screw propulsion system typical of early 20th-century tug design. The vessel’s modest dimensions and 52 gross tonnage made it suitable for harbor service, towing, and light coastal operations. Today, the wreck is partially buried in shallow water at the mouth of the Amnicon River, retaining elements of its hull and framing.
History
Built for the McMullen & Pitz Construction Company, the tug was named after company partner Armond Pitz. In 1944, the vessel was sold to the Northern Hardwood Veneers Company of Duluth, Minnesota, and the following year to Walter W. Bowe. In 1947, the vessel was purchased by E.C. Knutson, a dry dock company in Superior, Wisconsin. By 1951, the vessel was deemed surplus and abandoned at the mouth of the Amnicon River, where it has remained since.
Final Disposition
The A.H. Pitz was abandoned in 1951. No lives were lost. The wreck lies in shallow water, partially buried but still discernible, and was charted as a visible feature with high positional accuracy during NOAA hydrographic surveys in 1981–82.
Located By & Date Found
Surveyed by NOAA during OPR-Z137-WH-81 (1981–82), with chart updates in May 1987. Location confirmed through Wisconsin Historical Society site documentation.
Notmars & Advisories
None noted.
Dive Information
- Access: Shore entry via Amnicon River mouth
- Conditions: Shallow water; variable visibility due to river outflow; seasonal weed growth
- Depth: < 3 m (10 ft)
- Permits: Wisconsin state law prohibits artifact removal without authorization
- Emergency Contacts: US Coast Guard – Sector Duluth, WI
- Local Dive Support: Superior Scuba Charter Services, WI
Crew & Casualty Memorials
No fatalities reported; no crew casualties associated with loss.
Documented Statements & Extracts
“In 1951, the tug A.H. Pitz was abandoned at the mouth of the Amnicon River and has remained there since, partially buried in sand and silt.”
— Wisconsin Historical Society
Registry, Enrollment & Insurance Trails
- Registry Number: 222872
- Official Port of Registry: Superior, WI
Site Documentation & Imaging
Image Gallery
Resources & Links
References
NOAA/WHS Shipwreck Record Card
Wreck Name: A.H. Pitz
Other Names: None
Coordinates: 46° 41.29′ N / 91° 51.25′ W
Depth: Shallow water (partially exposed)
Location Description: Mouth of the Amnicon River, Lake Superior, Douglas County, WI
Vessel Type: Steam Screw Tug
Material: Wood
Dimensions: 21.23 m × 5.49 m × 2.56 m
Condition: Partially buried; visible structure remains
Cause of Loss: Abandonment
Discovery Date: 1981–82 NOAA Survey
Discovered By: NOAA Office of Coast Survey
Method: Hydrographic survey and visual observation
Legal Notes: Protected under Wisconsin state law; artifact removal prohibited
Hazards: None charted
Permits Required: Yes – state authorization