Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: Fearless
- Type: Wooden fish tug
- Year Built: 1893
- Builder: H.B. & G.B. Burger (Burger Boat Company)
- Dimensions: Length: 59.2 ft (18.0 m); Beam: 14.6 ft (4.45 m); Depth of hold: 6.8 ft (2.07 m)
- Registered Tonnage: 28 GRT
- Depth at Wreck Site: 4.6 m / 15 ft
- Location: Milwaukee, Wisconsin
- Coordinates: N 43° 01.92' / W 087° 54.54'
- Official Number: 120943
- Original Owners: E.A. Sonneman, Sheboygan, Wisconsin
- Number of Masts: None
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
The Fearless is classified as a wooden fish tug, designed primarily for commercial fishing operations.
Description
The Fearless was constructed in 1893 at the Burger Boat Company in Manitowoc, Wisconsin. It features a wooden hull and was powered by a steam screw with a single propeller. The vessel measures 59.2 feet in length, 14.6 feet in beam, and has a depth of hold of 6.8 feet.
History
The Fearless was primarily used for commercial fishing, operating out of Jones Island, Milwaukee, a significant center for Great Lakes fishing fleets. Throughout its operational career, it was owned by E.A. Sonneman from Sheboygan, Wisconsin.
Significant Incidents
- By 1943, the Fearless was considered largely obsolete and was abandoned near the St. Paul Railroad Bridge in Milwaukee.
- No lives were lost during its abandonment.
Final Disposition
The vessel was abandoned in shallow water, becoming a relic of its time. Its abandonment marked the end of its operational life as a fishing vessel.
Current Condition & Accessibility
The wreck of the Fearless was rediscovered in 1990 by diver Jerry Guyer. It lies intact but heavily degraded due to age, ice, and shallow exposure. The wreck is located at a depth of 15 feet (4.6 m), making it accessible for shallow-water diving.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”fearless-us-120943″ title=”References & Links”]
The Fearless serves as a significant historical and archaeological site, representing the late 19th-century Great Lakes fishing industry and the transition from wooden to steel vessels.
Full Wreck Record — complete historical article, construction details, voyage logs, incident reports, dive conditions, and all research sources.
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