Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: Rock Queen
- Type: Tugboat
- Year Built:
- Builder:
- Dimensions: Not available
- Registered Tonnage: Not available
- Location: Approximately 10 miles (16.1 kilometres) north of Port Sanilac, Michigan
- Official Number: Not available
- Original Owners: Not available
- Number of Masts: Not available
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
Tugboat
Description
The Rock Queen was a working tug operating on Lake Huron. Although her construction details, dimensions, and operational background are not currently documented, vessels of this type were typically used for towing and logistical support for both commercial vessels and industrial operations along the lakeshore. Tugboats like the Rock Queen often ranged from 15 to 40 metres (50–130 feet) in length depending on their intended usage, with reinforced hulls for lake conditions.
History
The Rock Queen met her end after reportedly striking a submerged object approximately 10 miles (16.1 kilometres) north of Port Sanilac, a common route for commercial and industrial vessels navigating Lake Huron. Port Sanilac served historically as a minor harbour and waypoint for vessels on the western shore of the lake. No information has been found detailing the exact circumstances of the collision—whether due to uncharted obstructions, mechanical failure, or adverse weather conditions.
There are no reports indicating the presence of cargo or casualties, and it’s unclear whether the tug was under operation or laid up at the time of the accident.
Significant Incidents
- Reportedly struck a submerged object.
- Location: Approximately 10 miles (16.1 kilometres) north of Port Sanilac, Michigan.
Final Disposition
There are no available details about salvage operations or removal of the Rock Queen. Given the depth and location, it may remain submerged and unrecorded in official wreck registries or was potentially recovered and dismantled.
Current Condition & Accessibility
No formal sonar imaging, diver identification, or registered wreck site for the Rock Queen has been documented in known shipwreck databases or Canadian/US maritime surveys.
There are no active Notices to Mariners (NOTMARs) or navigational advisories warning of an obstruction at or near the site where the Rock Queen is reported to have sunk.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”rock-queen-pre-1980″ title=”References & Links”]
The case of the Rock Queen highlights the hidden risks of navigating Lake Huron, especially near shoreline stretches with variable bottom topography. Though not well-documented, the sinking serves as another reminder of the countless utility vessels that served unheralded roles across the Great Lakes and whose losses, while unrecorded in grandeur, are no less a part of regional maritime heritage.
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.
Rock Queen – Tugboat Sinking in Lake Huron
Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: Rock Queen
- Former Names: None known
- Registration Number(s): Not available
- Date Built and Launched: Not available
- Measurements: Not available
- Date Lost: Not specified
- Location: Approximately 10 miles (16.1 kilometres) north of Port Sanilac, Michigan
Vessel Type
Tugboat
Description
The Rock Queen was a working tug operating on Lake Huron. Although her construction details, dimensions, and operational background are not currently documented, vessels of this type were typically used for towing and logistical support for both commercial vessels and industrial operations along the lakeshore. Tugboats like the Rock Queen often ranged from 15 to 40 metres (50–130 feet) in length depending on their intended usage, with reinforced hulls for lake conditions.
History
The Rock Queen met her end after reportedly striking a submerged object approximately 10 miles (16.1 kilometres) north of Port Sanilac, a common route for commercial and industrial vessels navigating Lake Huron. Port Sanilac served historically as a minor harbour and waypoint for vessels on the western shore of the lake. No information has been found detailing the exact circumstances of the collision—whether due to uncharted obstructions, mechanical failure, or adverse weather conditions.
There are no reports indicating the presence of cargo or casualties, and it’s unclear whether the tug was under operation or laid up at the time of the accident.
Final Disposition
There are no available details about salvage operations or removal of the Rock Queen. Given the depth and location, it may remain submerged and unrecorded in official wreck registries or was potentially recovered and dismantled.
Located By & Date Found
No formal sonar imaging, diver identification, or registered wreck site for the Rock Queen has been documented in known shipwreck databases or Canadian/US maritime surveys.
Notmars & Advisories
There are no active Notices to Mariners (NOTMARs) or navigational advisories warning of an obstruction at or near the site where the Rock Queen is reported to have sunk.
Resources & Links
Consulted historical and shipwreck repositories include:
- Register of Wrecks and Casualties, Inland Waters
- Great Lakes Vessels Online Index – BGSU
- Maritime History of the Great Lakes
- 3D Shipwreck Viewer
- Save Ontario Shipwrecks
- David Swayze Shipwreck File
None of the above returned confirmed references for Rock Queen.
Suggested supplemental video related to nearby wrecks:
This Shipwreck Has A Hidden Story
Conclusion
The case of the Rock Queen highlights the hidden risks of navigating Lake Huron, especially near shoreline stretches with variable bottom topography. Though not well-documented, the sinking serves as another reminder of the countless utility vessels that served unheralded roles across the Great Lakes and whose losses, while unrecorded in grandeur, are no less a part of regional maritime heritage.
Keywords and Categories
- Keywords: Rock Queen, tugboat, Lake Huron, Port Sanilac, submerged object, shipwreck, marine accident
- Categories: Great Lakes Tugboats, Marine Accidents, Uncharted Shipwrecks, Lake Huron Maritime History
Glossary Terms
- Tugboat: A small, powerful vessel used for towing or manoeuvring ships and barges.
- Submerged Object: An underwater obstruction that may not be visible but poses a danger to vessels.
- Capsizing vs. Sinking: Capsizing refers to overturning, while sinking implies total submersion, often due to damage or hull breach.