Forelle – Lake Michigan Tug Shipwreck (1923)

Shotline Diving Wreck Profile

• Name: Forelle
• Type: Steel-hulled fish tug (later “fruit boat”)
• Year Built: 1908
• Builder: Johnston Brothers
• Dimensions: 54.60 ft × 15.80 ft beam × 7.50 ft hold
• Registered Tonnage: 46 gt, 31 nt
• Location: Off Kenosha, Wisconsin in Lake Michigan
• Coordinates: approx. 42°36.637′ N, 87°42.291′ W
• Official Number: 205777
• Original Owners: Cornelius Tamms and Julius Meyer

Wreck Location Map

Vessel Type

The Forelle was a steel-hulled fish tug, which later served as a “fruit boat” for transporting perishable cargo along the Great Lakes.

Description

Built in 1908 by Johnston Brothers in Ferrysburg, Michigan, the Forelle measured 54.60 feet in length, with a beam of 15.80 feet and a hold depth of 7.50 feet. It had a gross tonnage of 46 and a net tonnage of 31.

History

The Forelle was primarily used by the Milwaukee fishing fleet and occasionally operated as a fruit boat during the off-season. It was originally owned by Cornelius Tamms and Julius Meyer, and it conducted fishing runs as far as Green Bay.

Significant Incidents

• On September 19, 1923, the Forelle departed Benton Harbor fully loaded with grapes, bound for Milwaukee.
• A severe gale caused the vessel to founder in Lake Michigan, southwest of Kenosha.
• Wreckage, including fruit baskets and lifejackets, washed ashore between September 22-23, confirming the loss.
• No survivors or hull remains have been located despite searches.

Final Disposition

The Forelle was declared a total loss after foundering, with all six crew members, including Captain Cornelius Tamms, perishing in the incident.

Current Condition & Accessibility

The wreck site is estimated to be located at a depth of 200-400 feet southwest of Kenosha, near the wreck of the yacht Rosinco. While the wreck has not been definitively identified, the recovery of wreckage suggests it is in proximity to shore. Diving conditions are challenging and require technical expertise.

Resources & Links

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The Forelle serves as a reminder of the dangers posed by sudden storms on Lake Michigan, particularly for vessels carrying sensitive cargo. Its loss highlights the transition in maritime operations from sail to motor-driven vessels in the Great Lakes.