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.
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