Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: Freddie
- Type: Gas-powered wooden fishing tug
- Year Built: 1901
- Builder: Burger & Burger
- Dimensions: 32.10 ft (9.78 m) X 9.40 ft (2.87 m); Depth of hold: 3.20 ft (0.98 m)
- Registered Tonnage: 8 gross tons
- Location: Inner harbor, Milwaukee, Milwaukee County, Lake Michigan
- Coordinates: Latitude: 43° 01.728′ N; Longitude: 87° 53.640′ W
- Official Number: 237558
- Original Owners: George A. Heitl, Captain Herman Krones
- Number of Masts: None (purpose-built tug/fishing vessel)
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
The Freddie was a small, wooden gas-powered fishing tug, typical of early 20th-century Great Lakes commercial fisheries.
Description
The Freddie was built by Burger & Burger, a Manitowoc shipyard later known as Burger Boat Company. It was compact and shallow-draft, designed for harbor and near-shore fishing or towing service. The vessel was intended for individual or family operation, reflecting the shift from steam to internal combustion for small utility boats.
History
The Freddie entered service in 1901, likely operating in Milwaukee and Racine fishing grounds while performing small harbor towing tasks. Known owners include George A. Heitl, the original owner, and Captain Herman Krones, who was associated with its operation and probable fishing work out of Milwaukee. The vessel represents a transitional era of small Great Lakes working craft, bridging the gap between 19th-century steam tugs and mid-20th-century steel fishing vessels.
Significant Incidents
- Year of Loss: 1945
- Cause: Abandonment in Milwaukee Harbor; no sinking event recorded; the vessel was laid up, likely deteriorated, and declared abandoned.
- Casualties: 0 (no lives lost)
Final Disposition
The remains of the Freddie were likely removed by harbor or Corps of Engineers authorities, as per standard mid-20th century harbor clearing practice. The vessel was abandoned in Milwaukee Harbor in 1945.
Current Condition & Accessibility
The wreck site is listed at a depth of 0 ft, consistent with harbor abandonment rather than deepwater loss. The status is probable removal of wreckage, with no confirmed remains visible today. Harbor abandonment sites of this era are poor archaeological candidates due to maintenance and dredging.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”freddie-us-237558″ title=”References & Links”]
The Freddie serves as an example of early gas-screw fishing tugs, reflecting the technological transition on the Great Lakes and representing Milwaukee’s commercial fishing heritage, which peaked in the early 20th century.
Full Wreck Record — complete historical article, construction details, voyage logs, incident reports, dive conditions, and all research sources.
Join Shotline to read more →