Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: Robertson (Fayling)
- Type: Wooden, single-screw tug (towboat)
- Year Built: 1884
- Builder: Duncan Robertson of Grand Haven Shipbuilding
- Dimensions: 62.5 ft × 15.6 ft × 6.8 ft (19.05 m × 4.75 m × 2.07 m)
- Registered Tonnage: 37.94 GT / 23.16 NT
- Location: ~5 miles east of Superior Entry, Lake Superior
- Official Number: 157127
- Original Owners: George W. Miller, Sands & Maxwell Lumber Co., Carlos A. Sheldon, James Pryor, Zenith Dredge Co.
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
Wooden, single-screw tug (towboat) designed for towing and dredging operations.
Description
The Robertson, later renamed Fayling, was a wooden tugboat built in 1884. It featured a screw-driven propulsion system and was originally equipped with a 25 hp steam engine, which was upgraded to 188 hp by 1924.
History
Constructed in Grand Haven, Michigan, the Robertson was initially owned by George W. Miller. Over the years, it changed hands multiple times, serving various industries including lumber and dredging. It was laid up in 1940 and officially marked as abandoned in 1943.
Significant Incidents
- 1884 – Built for George W. Miller, Grand Haven MI.
- 1943 – Enrollment surrendered at Duluth; deemed abandoned.
- 1947 – Dismantled and scuttled in Lake Superior.
Final Disposition
The vessel was dismantled and scuttled in 1947, approximately 5 miles east of Superior Entry, Lake Superior. This action was a deliberate disposal method rather than a result of an accident.
Current Condition & Accessibility
As a scuttled vessel, the Robertson is likely reduced to hull remains with limited hazard. No marine notices have been recorded regarding its wreckage.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”robertson-fayling-us-157127″ title=”References & Links”]
The Robertson/Fayling exemplifies a multi-decade service tug built in a regional shipyard and later serving industrial operations in Lake Superior. Its scuttling in 1947 was procedural, yielding minimal on-site wreckage. Further archaeological assessment is recommended.
Full Wreck Record — complete historical article, construction details, voyage logs, incident reports, dive conditions, and all research sources.
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