Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: Linda E
- Type: Steel-hulled commercial fish tug
- Year Built: 1937
- Builder: Burger Boat Company, Manitowoc, WI
- Dimensions: 42 ft (12.8 m); Beam; Depth of hold
- Registered Tonnage: 29 gross tons
- Depth at Wreck Site: 79 m / 260 ft
- Location: Approximately 9 miles southeast of Port Washington, WI
- Official Number: 236906
- Original Owners: Leif E. Weborg (owner/captain)
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
A winter-season gill-net fishing towboat employed in chub fishing. Able to sell up to ~1,000 lbs of chubs daily, operating from mid-November through early spring—typically under calm but cold Lake Michigan conditions. The hull contained no watertight subdivision, and standard practices included cleaning fish and net work in a lightly enclosed superstructure with limited visibility.
Description
Linda E, a steel-hulled commercial fish tug, was built in 1937 by Burger Boat Company in Manitowoc, Wisconsin. The vessel was approximately 42 feet long and registered at 29 gross tons. It was powered by a 150 hp diesel engine and operated primarily in the winter months for gill-net fishing.
History
Linda E was homeported in Port Washington, Wisconsin, and was primarily used for chub fishing during the winter season. The vessel was capable of hauling significant catches and operated under specific weather conditions typical for Lake Michigan.
Significant Incidents
- December 11, 1998: Departed Port Washington at ~05:15 AM, last contact at ~09:46 AM reporting nets were hauled with approximately 1,000 lbs of catch onboard.
- Weather conditions were calm with good visibility; no distress signals were sent.
- Coast Guard conducted a search over 3,000 mi², which was suspended on December 13, with no debris or survivors found.
Final Disposition
On June 18, 2000, the wreck of Linda E was discovered by USS Defender, lying upright and embedded in sediment at approximately 260 feet deep. The vessel showed notable damage consistent with a side impact, possibly from a collision.
Current Condition & Accessibility
The wreck is located about 7 miles offshore from Port Washington, WI, at a depth of ~260 feet. It is reported to be upright and largely intact, with visible structural damage on the starboard side.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”linda-e-us-236906″ title=”References & Links”]
Linda E, a 1937-built steel fish tug, vanished without trace on December 11, 1998, during calm weather and light seas. All three crew members were lost, and the cause of the sinking remains indeterminate, with a collision being the only plausible explanation. The wreck was discovered in June 2000 and lies intact at ~260 feet depth.
Full Wreck Record — complete historical article, construction details, voyage logs, incident reports, dive conditions, and all research sources.
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