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.
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.
Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Robertson (aka Fayling)
- Official No.: 157127
- Built: 1884, Grand Haven, MI; built by Duncan Robertson of Grand Haven Shipbuilding (navalmarinearchive.com)
- Original Name: Robertson
- Later Name: Fayling (renamed 26 July 1924) (navalmarinearchive.com)
- Type: Wooden, single-screw tug (towboat)
- Official Number: 157127
- Final Disposition: Dismantled and scuttled in 1947, ~5 miles east of Superior Entry, Lake Superior; laid up in 1940, enrollment surrendered 16 Apr 1943 at Duluth as “vessel abandoned,” dismantled in 1947 (navalmarinearchive.com)
Vessel Characteristics
- Construction: Wood hull, one deck
- Propulsion: Screw-driven, 25 hp steam engine originally; upgraded to 188 hp by 1924 (navalmarinearchive.com)
- Dimensions: 62.5 ft × 15.6 ft × 6.8 ft (19.05 m × 4.75 m × 2.07 m)
- Tonnage: 37.94 GT / 23.16 NT
Ownership & History
- 1884 – Built for George W. Miller, Grand Haven MI.
- 4 Apr 1887 – Sold to Sands & Maxwell Lumber Co., Pentwater MI.
- 1889 – Owned by Miller & others, Grand Haven.
- 26 May 1890 – Sold to Carlos A. Sheldon, Houghton MI.
- 16 May 1893 – Sold to James Pryor, Houghton.
- 1901 – Bottom recaulked—maintenance for continued service.
- 18 Feb 1909 – Acquired by Zenith Dredge Co., Duluth.
- 26 Jul 1924 – Renamed Fayling, engine upgraded to 188 hp; dimensions and tonnage capabilities slightly adjusted.
- 1940 – Laid up at Zenith yard.
- 16 Apr 1943 – Enrollment surrendered at Duluth; deemed “abandoned.”
- 1947 – Dismantled and scuttled east of Superior Entry (navalmarinearchive.com)
Final Disposition & Wreck Context
- Abandonment: Officially marked as abandoned by U.S. authorities in 1943.
- Removal: Final action in 1947—vessel was dismantled and deliberately scuttled in Lake Superior waters as a disposal method.
- Wreck Impact: Likely reduced to hull remains with boilers and engine components – limited hazard, no marine notices recorded.
Site & Survey Status
- Coordinates: ~5 mi east of Superior Entry (exact coordinates unverified).
- Survey Records: No known record of ROV/exploration surveys from NOAA, Michigan/Ohio marine archives.
- Hazard Listings: No Notices to Mariners or NOAA hazard listing; scuttling suggests intended disposal, not accidental wreck.
Research Gaps & Recommended Next Steps
- Archival Logs: Examination of Zenith Dredge Company records (Duluth archives) may reveal scuttling details.
- U.S. Coast Guard logs: Enrollment file from 1943 may include abandonment narrative.
- Underwater Survey: Suggest commissioning side-scan sonar or ROV pass to confirm remaining structure.
- Crew/Personnel Search: Limited crew data; review Duluth newspapers (1940–47) for scuttling announcements.
Historical & Archaeological Notes
- Significance: A small working tug representing late-19th-century Great Lakes wooden towboats; served multiple industries—lumber, dredging.
- Preservation Status: As a scuttled disposal, archaeological interest is modest, but remains may hold insight into early propulsion retrofit practices (engine upgrade in 1924).
Key Archival Links & References
- Naval Marine Archive – Ship database (Grand Haven shipbuilder list; entry #157127 includes Robertson/Fayling timeline) (navalmarinearchive.com)
Conclusion
Robertson/Fayling exemplifies a multi-decade service tug built in a regional shipyard and later serving industrial operations in Lake Superior via Duluth dredging. The vessel’s end-of-life scuttling in 1947 was procedural rather than catastrophic, yielding minimal on-site wreckage. For a comprehensive archaeological assessment, primary-source logs and a targeted underwater survey are advised.
Keywords: tug, towboat, wooden hull, Lake Superior, Duluth dredge, scuttled, Robertson shipyard, Zenith Dredge, 1884 build, 1947 dismantled.
robertson-fayling-us-157127 1947-07-19 10:42:00