Shotline Diving Wreck Profile

• Name: Anabel II
• Type: Wooden Oil Screw Fish Tug
• Year Built: 1928
• Builder: Burger Boat Co., Manitowoc, Wisconsin
• Dimensions: Length: 59 ft (18 m); Beam: 15 ft (4.6 m); Depth: 6 ft (1.8 m)
• Registered Tonnage: 62 tons
• Location: Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin, at Roen Steamship Company Dock
• Official Number: 228126
• Original Owners: Roen Steamship Company

Wreck Location Map

Vessel Type

The Anabel II was a wooden diesel-powered fish tug, constructed in 1928 by the renowned Burger Boat Company in Manitowoc, Wisconsin. Fish tugs were purpose-built for Great Lakes commercial fishing, featuring enclosed cabins to protect crews from the often harsh and unpredictable weather conditions on Lake Michigan. The oil screw propulsion system, powered by a diesel engine, represented a shift from traditional steam and gas engines to more efficient and reliable diesel power.

Description

At 59 feet in length, the Anabel II was larger than many fish tugs of the time, reflecting a design that could accommodate both heavy fishing equipment and the capacity to haul large catches. Her robust build and size made her a valuable asset for both commercial fishing and potential conversion for towing operations.

History

Initially serving as a commercial fish tug, the Anabel II operated primarily in northern Lake Michigan, supporting the region’s vibrant fishing industry. Like many vessels of her class, she would have been involved in gillnet fishing for species such as lake trout, whitefish, and perch, which were economically vital to Great Lakes communities during the early to mid-20th century.

At some point before her loss, the Anabel II sank at her dock in Manistique, Michigan. Despite this setback, the vessel was salvaged and acquired by the Roen Steamship Company of Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin. Roen intended to convert the vessel from a fishing tug to a towing tug, reflecting her structural strength and versatile design.

Significant Incidents

On January 12, 1956, while docked for the winter at the Roen Steamship Company’s dock in Sturgeon Bay, the Anabel II was destroyed by fire.

Details of the Incident:

• The vessel was undergoing winter storage and maintenance when the fire broke out.
• The exact cause of the fire is not detailed, but fires during winter lay-up were often due to faulty wiring, heating equipment failures, or fuel-related accidents.
• The fire completely consumed the Anabel II, rendering her a total loss.

Casualties:

• Fortunately, no lives were lost in the incident, as the vessel was likely uncrewed during her winter lay-up.

Final Disposition

After the fire at the Roen Steamship Co. dock, the Anabel II was declared a total loss. The vessel was likely scrapped or dismantled following the incident, with no significant salvage efforts recorded beyond clearing the burned wreckage from the dock area.

Current Condition & Accessibility

There is no wreck site associated with the Anabel II as the vessel was destroyed by fire while docked. Any remaining parts were likely removed during cleanup and dismantled.

Resources & Links

References are being reviewed for this wreck.

The Anabel II‘s destruction by fire in 1956 marks the end of a vessel that had served both as a commercial fish tug and was poised for a new role as a towing tug under the Roen Steamship Company. Built by the prestigious Burger Boat Company in 1928, the Anabel II reflects the versatility and durability of Great Lakes fishing vessels, many of which were repurposed for other maritime industries. Despite surviving an earlier sinking incident in Manistique, the vessel met her final end due to a dockside fire in Sturgeon Bay. Her story highlights both the importance of the Great Lakes fishing industry and the ongoing evolution of maritime vessels to meet changing economic demands.