Shotline Diving

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Golden US 86194

Explore the wreck of the Golden, a historic wooden steam tug abandoned in Milwaukee Harbor, showcasing late 19th-century maritime engineering.

Shotline Diving Wreck Profile

  • Name: Golden
  • Type: Wooden steam tug (harbor tug)
  • Year Built: 1892
  • Builder: Wolf & Davidson Shipyard, Milwaukee, WI
  • Dimensions: Length: 63.90 ft (19.47 m); Beam: 17.60 ft (5.36 m); Depth of hold: 8 ft (2.44 m)
  • Registered Tonnage: 44.18 gross tons
  • Location: Milwaukee River / Lake Michigan harbor, Milwaukee, WI
  • Coordinates: 43° 01.465′ N / 87° 54.022′ W
  • Official Number: 86194
  • Original Owners: Martin Golden, C.H. Starke, C.H. Starke Dredge Co., Great Lakes Dredge Company

Wreck Location Map

Vessel Type

The Golden is classified as a wooden steam tug, specifically designed for harbor operations. This type of vessel was essential for maneuvering larger ships in confined waters and assisting with dredging activities.

Description

The Golden was built in 1892 and served primarily in the harbors of Lake Michigan. With a length of 63.90 feet and a beam of 17.60 feet, it was a compact vessel suited for its operational role. The tug was powered by steam and featured a single screw propulsion system.

History

The Golden was constructed by Wolf & Davidson Shipyard in Milwaukee for Martin Golden. Over the years, it changed ownership several times, being sold to C.H. Starke in 1900 and later to C.H. Starke Dredge Co. in 1905. The tug continued to operate in local harbor services until it was purchased by Great Lakes Dredge Company in 1915.

Significant Incidents

  • The Golden does not appear in major casualty reports, indicating a relatively uneventful service history.

Final Disposition

In the summer of 1918, the Golden was abandoned due to age, stripped of machinery, and towed to the north breakwall of Milwaukee Harbor. It was scuttled alongside other retired vessels, including the tug Sioux. This abandonment was a deliberate act rather than a result of a marine disaster, and no lives were lost during this process.

Current Condition & Accessibility

The wreck of the Golden may be buried or scattered due to historical dredging activities in the harbor. Side-scan sonar or magnetometer surveys could help confirm the presence of remaining hull timbers.

Resources & Links

[shotline_reference_links slug=”golden-us-86194″ title=”References & Links”]

The Golden serves as a significant example of late 19th-century harbor tugs built in Milwaukee, reflecting the common practices of vessel disposal in the early 20th century.

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.

Shipwreck Report: Tug Golden (1892–1918). Registry No. 86194

Identification & Site Information

  • Name: Golden
  • Former Names: None recorded
  • Official Number: 86194
  • Built: 1892, Wolf & Davidson Shipyard, Milwaukee, WI
  • Vessel Type: Wooden steam tug (harbor tug)
  • Dimensions:
    • Length: 63.90 ft (19.47 m)
    • Beam: 17.60 ft (5.36 m)
    • Depth of Hold: 8 ft (2.44 m)
  • Tonnage: 44.18 gross tons
  • Propulsion: Steam, single screw
  • Masts: 0
  • Hull Material: Wood
  • Home Port: Chicago, Illinois
  • Service Area: Primarily Lake Michigan harbors (Milwaukee, Menominee)

Location:

  • Body of Water: Milwaukee River / Lake Michigan harbor
  • County: Milwaukee, WI
  • Nearest City: Milwaukee
  • Coordinates: 43° 01.465’ N / 87° 54.022’ W
  • Depth: Approx. 0–20 ft (harbor disposal site)

Service History

  • 1892: Built by Wolf & Davidson at the foot of Washington Street, Milwaukee, for Martin Golden of Menominee, Michigan.
  • 1900: Sold to C.H. Starke, Milwaukee; operated in local harbor service.
  • 1905: Ownership listed under C.H. Starke Dredge Co., which continued to employ the Golden in dredge and harbor operations.
  • 1915: Purchased by Great Lakes Dredge Company, Chicago, IL.
  • The tug performed local harbor and dredge support work throughout its career and does not appear in major casualty reports.

Final Voyage & Disposition

  • Summer 1918 (some sources suggest 1922): Golden was abandoned for age, stripped of machinery, and towed to the north breakwall of Milwaukee Harbor near the municipal garbage plant.
  • Scuttled in shallow water alongside other retired harbor vessels including tug Sioux.
  • No lives were lost.
  • The wreck represents a deliberate abandonment / scuttling, not a marine disaster.

Research Notes

  • Archival material can be cross‑checked with Milwaukee Harbor Master logs and local newspaper obituaries for the Wolf & Davidson yard.
  • Wreckage may remain buried or scattered; harbor dredging has historically disturbed this area.
  • Side‑scan sonar or magnetometer survey may confirm remaining hull timbers.

Resources & References

Summary

The Golden is historically significant as an example of late 19th‑century Milwaukee-built harbor tugs, a class of working vessels largely lost to scrapping and scuttling. Her abandonment at the north breakwall illustrates a common local disposal practice for end‑of‑life harbor craft during the early 20th century.

golden-us-86194 1922-07-29 22:42:00