Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: Maggie (Lutz)
- Type: Wooden screw-propulsion fish tug
- Year Built: 1873
- Builder: R. Gray
- Dimensions: 45 ft × 12 ft × 4 ft; Gross tonnage: 15.26 gt; Net tonnage: 8.14 nt
- Registered Tonnage: 15.26 gt
- Location: Approximate: Sheboygan region, Lake Michigan
- Official Number: 90582
- Original Owners: Owned by Fagan et al. (1879), A. Fairchild (1899)
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
Fish tugs were essential mid-Ohio fishermen’s vessels, operating out of ports like Sheboygan with enclosed cabins and mechanical net hauling gear. They became standardized by the early 1900s, but few records exist for their disposal.
Description
The Lutz, later known as Maggie, was a wooden screw-propulsion fish tug built in 1873 in Sheboygan, Wisconsin. It was primarily used for fishing operations and was notable for its design typical of the era.
History
The Lutz was owned by various fishing operators, including Fagan et al. in 1879 and A. Fairchild in 1899. It served the local fishing community until it was deemed aged and derelict.
Significant Incidents
- 1925: The Maggie was purposely scuttled in shallow Lake Michigan waters as a disposal measure for aged and derelict hulls.
Final Disposition
The scuttling of the Maggie reflects a common practice at the time, where small commercial fishing vessels nearing end-of-life were sunk to remove hazards without formal paperwork.
Current Condition & Accessibility
The current condition of the wreck is unknown, and it is likely submerged in shallow waters, making it a potential site for divers interested in historical shipwrecks.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”maggie-lutz-us-90582″ title=”References & Links”]
The Maggie serves as a rare documented case of intentional scuttling among fish tugs, providing valuable insights into local fishing fleet management and informal disposal methods in early 20th-century Great Lakes maritime history.
Full Wreck Record — complete historical article, construction details, voyage logs, incident reports, dive conditions, and all research sources.
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