Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: George Rogers
- Type: Steam-powered wooden tug/towboat
- Year Built: 1889
- Builder: Not yet identified
- Dimensions: Length X ft (Y m); Beam; Depth of hold
- Registered Tonnage: Currently unverified; typical tugs of the period ranged 40–80 ft and ~20–50 GRT
- Location: Off Northport, Leelanau Peninsula, Lake Michigan
- Coordinates: Submerged near Northport, Michigan
- Official Number: Missing
- Original Owners: Grand Haven, Michigan
- Number of Masts: Not applicable
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
Steam-powered wooden tug/towboat, primarily used for towing and assisting larger vessels.
Description
The George Rogers was a wooden tugboat built in 1889, notable for its steam-powered propulsion. The vessel operated primarily in the Grand Haven area, serving various maritime needs.
History
The George Rogers was constructed in 1889, with its specific shipyard details yet to be identified. It was registered in Grand Haven, Michigan, and served as a tugboat until its loss in 1914.
Significant Incidents
- Fire Onboard: A boiler fire broke out on August 29, 1914, while the tug was off Northport near the Leelanau Peninsula.
- Progression: The blaze rapidly engulfed the vessel, consuming it down to the waterline.
- Crew Rescue: All six crew members survived; rescue details not yet documented.
- Sinking: The vessel burned through its hull and sank shortly after the fire.
Final Disposition
The George Rogers sank after a fire caused by a boiler explosion. All crew members were rescued, and the wreck is submerged near Northport, Michigan.
Current Condition & Accessibility
The wreck site is likely in moderate water depth, but precise coordinates and depth remain unknown. It may be of interest for diving or remote sensing.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”george-rogers-1889″ title=”References & Links”]
The George Rogers serves as a significant example of early-20th-century steam tug operations and highlights the vulnerabilities of steam-era maritime vessels. Further research and exploration could provide valuable insights into its history and technical specifications.
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
- Name: George Rogers
- Built: 1889 (details on shipyard not yet identified)
- Type: Steam-powered wooden tug/towboat
- Homeport: Grand Haven, Michigan
- Loss Date: August 29, 1914
- Loss Location: Off Northport, Leelanau Peninsula, Lake Michigan
- Casualties: None of the six crew aboard reportedly lost (manitouislandsarchives.org, Facebook)
Vessel Specifications & Propulsion
- Hull: Wood
- Propulsion: Steam-powered screw tug; specific engine/boiler details pending archival discovery
- Size & Tonnage: Currently unverified; typical tugs of the period ranged 40–80 ft and ~20–50 GRT
Incident & Final Disposition
- Fire Onboard: According to local reports, a boiler fire broke out on August 29, 1914, while the tug was off Northport near the Leelanau Peninsula (Facebook, Reddit).
- Progression: The blaze rapidly engulfed the vessel, consuming it down to the waterline.
- Crew Rescue: All six crew members survived; rescue details not yet documented (Wikipedia).
- Sinking: The vessel burned through its hull and sank shortly after the fire.
Location & Wreck Context
- Wreck Site: Submerged near Northport, Michigan (west shore of Leelanau Peninsula), Lake Michigan (Wikipedia, Reddit).
- Accessibility: Likely in moderate water depth; precise site coordinates and depth unknown. May be of interest for diving or remote sensing.
Archival & Research Gaps
- Builder Records: Shipbuilding documentation (1889) to be investigated in Michigan shipyard, likely Grand Haven.
- Official Enrollment: Enrollment and tonnage recorded in U.S. Customs or U.S. Coast Guard registry—missing Official Number.
- Crew List: Names, roles, captain: to be found in enrollment documents or newspaper articles.
- News Coverage: August/September 1914 local press (Northport, Grand Haven, Traverse City) may report the fire and subsequent rescue.
- Salvage or Court Records: Potential marine court or insurance investigation; query Michigan state archives.
Next Steps for Research & Exploration
- Archive Search: Check enrollment and registry records via National Archives, Grand Haven Marine District.
- Newspaper Collections: Explore local papers like Grand Traverse Herald, Grand Haven Tribune, covering late August 1914 events.
- Field Survey: Commission a targeted sonar or magnetometer survey near the Northport shoreline to locate the wreck.
- Local Collaboration: Reach out to Leelanau Historical Society or recreational dive clubs for dive logs, oral histories, or photographs.
Significance
The George Rogers illustrates early-20th-century steam tug operations in the Grand Haven–Leelanau region. Its fiery destruction—a sudden onboard boiler crisis leading to rapid sinking—makes it a poignant vessel for studies on steam-era maritime vessels and their vulnerabilities. Recovering technical information and mapping the wreck would enrich the historical narrative and offer a valuable archaeological resource.
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