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.
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.
Fish Tug Scuttled in 1925
Identification & Vessel Overview
- Name(s): Lutz, later known as Maggie
- Year Built: 1873, Sheboygan, Wisconsin (Builder: R. Gray)
- Official No.: 90582
- Type: Wooden screw-propulsion fish tug
- Dimensions: 45 ft × 12 ft × 4 ft; Gross tonnage: 15.26 gt; Net tonnage: 8.14 nt
- Ownership: Owned by Fagan et al. (1879), A. Fairchild (1899) — fishing operators based in Sheboygan.
Final Disposition – Scuttling Confirmed
- Date: 1925, based on Inland Seas, Vol. 63, No. 4 (Winter 2007)
- Action: Purposely scuttled, likely in shallow Lake Michigan waters, as a disposal measure for aged and derelict hulls.
- The scuttling reflects a common practice at the time—small commercial fishing vessels nearing end-of-life were sunk to remove hazards without formal paperwork.
(2manitowoc.com, wisconsinharbortowns.net)
Historical Context
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. Lutz/Maggie is notable as one of the few documented cases where a fish tug’s end-of-service is recorded as intentional scuttling.
(Wikipedia, harveyhadland.com)
Summary Table
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Vessel Name(s) | Lutz / Maggie |
| Build Year & Location | 1873, Sheboygan, Wisconsin |
| Vessel Type | Wooden screw fish tug |
| Final Disposition | Scuttled in 1925 |
| Disposal Method | Purposeful sinking of derelict hull |
| Scuttling Location | Approximate: Sheboygan region, Lake Michigan |
Image Captions
- Visual comparisons show typical wooden fish tug designs similar to Lutz/Maggie, from preserved examples like the Islander and Oliver H. Smith. These images reflect hull form and proportions typical of Sheboygan-built tugs.
(Wikipedia, UW-Madison Libraries, Facebook, Pinterest, Reddit)
Significance & Importance
- Small wooden vessels like Maggie were often opaquely disposed of—this scuttling case constitutes rare documentation.
- Provides insight into local fishing fleet management, vessel life cycles, and informal disposal methods in early 20th-century Great Lakes maritime history.
Recommendations for Deeper Research
- Access the full Inland Seas article (Winter 2007): likely provides contextual details of the scuttling, including reasons, location, or local fisheries board actions.
- Consult Sheboygan Press archives (circa 1925): potential local reports on fishing fleet reductions or harbor cleanup.
- Contact Sheboygan Historical Research Center: they may hold harbor commission logs or fisheries administration records referencing vessel disposal.
- Engage with Great Lakes diver or local maritime groups, which occasionally catalogue informal underwater debris or wreck sites around Sheboygan harbor.