Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: Edward E. Gillen
- Type: Diesel Screw Tug
- Year Built: 1908
- Builder: Benjamin L. Cowles
- Dimensions: 56.5 ft (17.2 m) x 15.3 ft (4.66 m) x 7.9 ft (2.4 m)
- Registered Tonnage: 47 GT
- Depth at Wreck Site: 22.5 m / 74 ft
- Location: Lake Michigan, 2.5 miles offshore Milwaukee, WI
- Coordinates: N 43° 01.653′ / W 087° 49.122′
- Official Number: 205312
- Original Owners: Edward E. Gillen Co. (final), previously American Sand & Gravel, Merritt-Chapman Scott Corp.
- Number of Masts: None
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
The Edward E. Gillen was a steel-hulled harbor tug originally built as Erstus C. Knight in 1908. Initially steam-powered using a recycled engine from the tug Mary, she was converted to diesel in 1928 with a Winton 6-cylinder engine.
Description
Measuring 56.5 feet in length with a 15.3-foot beam, she operated in multiple Great Lakes ports throughout her 73-year career.
History
Originally serving the American Sand & Gravel Co. in Erie, PA, the vessel changed names and roles several times. Renamed Aubrey in 1917, she was later sold to American Construction Co. and then Merritt-Chapman Scott. Her 1964 renaming to Edward E. Gillen by the Milwaukee-based firm of the same name honored an earlier wooden tug lost in 1903. She was rebuilt in 1953 and remained active in local maritime work.
Her final assignment involved cable testing with the USCG icebreaker Westwind. A stern towline—against standard practice—was secured, and as the Westwind moved ahead, the tug submerged by the stern and capsized within minutes. All four crew were rescued.
Significant Incidents
- Capsized and sank while engaged in cable tests with USCG Westwind.
- A mismatch in power and improper towline placement contributed to the rapid sinking.
Final Disposition
Located shortly after sinking in June 1981, the site is now documented by Wisconsin Historical Society and 3DShipwrecks.org.
Current Condition & Accessibility
Access: Boat
Entry Point: Milwaukee harbor marinas
Conditions: Generally calm, visibility variable 10–30 ft
Depth Range: 74 ft (22.5 m)
Emergency Contacts: USCG Sector Lake Michigan: +1 414-747-7100, Milwaukee EMS: 911
Permits: Not required, but subject to Wisconsin Historical Society regulations
Dive Support: Local dive shops in Milwaukee support trips to this site and nearby wrecks
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”edward-e-gillen-us-205312-erstus-c-knight-aubrey” title=”References & Links”]
Crew of 4, all survived. No fatalities occurred. No known dedicated memorial.
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.
Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
Other Names: Erstus C. Knight, Aubrey
Official Number: 205312
Registry: United States
Vessel Type: Diesel Screw Tug
Builder: Benjamin L. Cowles
Year Built: 1908
Dimensions: 56.5 ft (17.2 m) x 15.3 ft (4.66 m) x 7.9 ft (2.4 m)
Tonnage: 47 GT
Cargo on Final Voyage: None
Date of Loss: 3 June 1981
Location: Lake Michigan, 2.5 miles offshore Milwaukee, WI
Coordinates: N 43° 01.653′ / W 087° 49.122′
Depth: 74 ft (22.5 m)
Home Port: Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Owners: Edward E. Gillen Co. (final), previously American Sand & Gravel, Merritt-Chapman Scott Corp.
Crew: 4
Casualties: None
Description
The Edward E. Gillen was a steel-hulled harbor tug originally built as Erstus C. Knight in 1908. Initially steam-powered using a recycled engine from the tug Mary, she was converted to diesel in 1928 with a Winton 6-cylinder engine. Measuring 56.5 feet in length with a 15.3-foot beam, she operated in multiple Great Lakes ports throughout her 73-year career.
History
Originally serving the American Sand & Gravel Co. in Erie, PA, the vessel changed names and roles several times. Renamed Aubrey in 1917, she was later sold to American Construction Co. and then Merritt-Chapman Scott. Her 1964 renaming to Edward E. Gillen by the Milwaukee-based firm of the same name honored an earlier wooden tug lost in 1903. She was rebuilt in 1953 and remained active in local maritime work.
Her final assignment involved cable testing with the USCG icebreaker Westwind. A stern towline—against standard practice—was secured, and as the Westwind moved ahead, the tug submerged by the stern and capsized within minutes. All four crew were rescued.
Final Dispositions
Capsized and sank while engaged in cable tests with USCG Westwind. A mismatch in power and improper towline placement contributed to the rapid sinking.
Located By & Date Found
Located shortly after sinking in June 1981, the site is now documented by Wisconsin Historical Society and 3DShipwrecks.org.
Notmars & Advisories
None officially noted. Divers should observe local vessel traffic patterns in Milwaukee harbor approaches.
Dive Information
Access: Boat
Entry Point: Milwaukee harbor marinas
Conditions: Generally calm, visibility variable 10–30 ft
Depth Range: 74 ft (22.5 m)
Emergency Contacts: USCG Sector Lake Michigan: +1 414-747-7100, Milwaukee EMS: 911
Permits: Not required, but subject to Wisconsin Historical Society regulations
Dive Support: Local dive shops in Milwaukee support trips to this site and nearby wrecks
Crew & Casualty Memorials
Crew of 4, all survived. No fatalities occurred. No known dedicated memorial.
Documented Statements & Extracts
“The Gillen was pulled over backwards by the cable connected to the stern. She capsized in seven minutes. All four men were rescued.” – SCRS Report, Wisconsin Historical Society
Registry, Enrollment & Insurance Trails
U.S. Registry No. 205312. Records trace ownership from Erie to Milwaukee over seven decades. Operational through 1981 without major claims until loss.
Site Documentation & Imaging
Photogrammetry, diver video, and high-resolution scans are available via 3DShipwrecks.org. Managed by Wisconsin Historical Society as a cultural dive site.
Image Gallery
Resources & Links
- Wisconsin Shipwrecks Database
- Great Lakes Vessels Online Index – BGSU
- 3DShipwrecks Edward E. Gillen
- USCG Marine Casualty Reports (1981)
References
- Wisconsin Historical Society – SCRS File: Edward E. Gillen
- 3DShipwrecks.org – Site profile and scans
- USCG Marine Casualty Records 1981
NOAA Shipwreck Record Card
Other Names: Erstus C. Knight, Aubrey
Official Number: 205312
Coordinates: N 43° 01.653′ / W 087° 49.122′
Depth: 74 ft (22.5 m)
Location Description: Offshore Milwaukee, Lake Michigan
Vessel Type: Diesel Screw Tug
Material: Steel
Dimensions: 56.5 × 15.3 × 7.9 ft; 47 GT
Condition: Upright, intact
Cause of Loss: Capsizing during towing test
Discovery Date: 1981
Discovered By: Post-incident location via USCG report
Method: Cable recovery and diver report
Legal Notes: Administered by Wisconsin Historical Society
Hazards: None noted
Permits Required: Not generally, state rules apply