Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: Roamer
- Type: Wooden propeller diesel tug / fishing tender
- Year Built: 1936
- Builder: Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin
- Dimensions: 38 ft × 12 ft × 5 ft
- Registered Tonnage: 23 gross / 16 net
- Location: Port Wing, Wisconsin
- Official Number: 234923
- Original Owners: Norman and Harris Johnson, Port Wing, Wisconsin
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
The Roamer was classified as a wooden propeller diesel tug and fishing tender, designed for various marine tasks.
Description
Built in 1936, the Roamer measured 38 feet in length, 12 feet in beam, and had a depth of 5 feet. It was registered with a gross tonnage of 23 and a net tonnage of 16. The vessel was owned by Norman and Harris Johnson from Port Wing, Wisconsin.
History
The Roamer served primarily as a tug and fishing tender in the waters of Lake Superior. Its operational history included various marine activities typical for vessels of its type.
Significant Incidents
- Date of Loss: 9 July 1975
- Location: Port Wing, Wisconsin, Lake Superior
- Cause: Destroyed by fire—blaze spread from neighboring fishhouse dock to the vessel
- Casualties: None reported
- Cargo: Not carrying freight at the time
- Wreck Status: Burned to the waterline; hull remains likely charred and partially submerged but exhaustively damaged
Final Disposition
The Roamer was a total loss due to the fire, which rendered the vessel extensively damaged. The remains are likely submerged in shallow waters, making recovery efforts challenging.
Current Condition & Accessibility
The vessel suffered high-severity damage from the fire, with only metal hull components possibly remaining. The wooden structure was largely destroyed. The wreck is located in shallow water (<10 ft), accessible via shore or small boat.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”roamer-us-234923″ title=”References & Links”]
The Roamer was a modest 38-foot wooden diesel tug based in Port Wing, Wisconsin. On 9 July 1975, a fire from an adjacent fishhouse destroyed her at the dock—a total loss but without loss of life. While her remains likely lie in shallow harbor waters, extensive structural damage makes salvage unlikely. Historical or photographic records may be the best source for documenting her existence and demise.
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.
Year Built: 1936, Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin
Official Number: 234923
Vessel Type: Wooden propeller diesel tug / fishing tender
Dimensions: 38 ft × 12 ft × 5 ft
Tonnage: 23 gross / 16 net
Original Owner: Norman and Harris Johnson, Port Wing, Wisconsin
Final Disposition
- Date of Loss: 9 July 1975
- Location: Port Wing, Wisconsin, Lake Superior
- Cause: Destroyed by fire—blaze spread from neighboring fishhouse dock to the vessel
- Casualties: None reported
- Cargo: Not carrying freight at the time
- Wreck Status: Burned to the waterline; hull remains likely charred and partially submerged but exhaustively damaged
- Source: Great Lakes Shipwreck Files – R‑entry summary (greatlakesrex.wordpress.com)
Site & Dive Notes
- Condition: High-severity damage by fire means only metal hull components may remain; wood largely destroyed
- Depth & Accessibility: Berth was dockside in Port Wing harbor; shallow water (<10 ft), accessible via shore or small boat
- Dive Recommendation: Exploration possible but unsafe without verifying structural stability; appropriate for documentation diver survey
Research Recommendations
- Local Records & Newspaper Archives (July 1975):
- Ashland Daily Press, Superior Telegram, or Bayfield County Journal may contain fire incident reports, asset valuations, and dockowner statements.
- Marina/Dock Owner Records:
- Fishhouse operator or Johnson family’s records may include logs or photographs of the fire and subsequent cleanup.
- Insurance & Fire Reports:
- Wisconsin state marine insurance filings or Bayfield County fire department incident reports could provide official loss valuation and cause determination.
- Historical Society or Museums:
- Port Wing Fish Company archives or Bayfield County Historical Society may hold visual documentation or oral histories from the event.
Summary
The Roamer was a modest 38-foot wooden diesel tug based in Port Wing, Wisconsin. On 9 July 1975, a fire from an adjacent fishhouse destroyed her at the dock—a total loss but without loss of life. While her remains likely lie in shallow harbor waters, extensive structural damage makes salvage unlikely. Historical or photographic records may be the best source for documenting her existence and demise.
roamer-us-234923 1975-07-09 19:07:00