Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: Rosinco
- Type: Gas screw yacht (steel motor yacht)
- Year Built: 1916
- Builder: Harlan & Hollingsworth Corporation
- Dimensions: 88 ft (26.8 m) L × 15 ft (4.6 m) B × 7.8 ft (2.4 m) depth of hold
- Registered Tonnage: 82 tons
- Depth at Wreck Site: 59.4 m / 195 ft
- Location: Lake Michigan, approx. 12 miles east of Kenosha, Wisconsin
- Coordinates: 42°37.50′ N, 87°37.62′ W
- Official Number: 214160
- Original Owners: William G. Coxe, Commodore W.L. Baumin, Colonel Robert M. Morse
- Number of Masts: None
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
The Rosinco is classified as a gas screw yacht, specifically a steel motor yacht. It features a riveted steel hull and was designed for speed and efficiency with a high length-to-beam ratio.
Description
Designed by A.M. Main, the Rosinco represented a new era in American powerboat design, emphasizing strength, speed, and seaworthiness. The yacht included a deckhouse, standing rails, scuppers, and windlass, showcasing luxury appointments for private yachting.
History
The Rosinco was built in 1916 by Harlan & Hollingsworth Corporation for William G. Coxe. It was sold in 1919 to Commodore W.L. Baumin and renamed Whitemarsh. In the 1920s, it was acquired by Colonel Robert M. Morse and renamed Rosinco, serving as the flagship of the Chicago Yacht Club, frequently cruising the Great Lakes.
Significant Incidents
- September 19, 1928: The Rosinco struck an underwater obstruction, possibly a floating pile driver or dock timber, resulting in a deep hull breach and rapid flooding.
- All six aboard abandoned ship and were rescued by the Kenosha Coast Guard Station after approximately two hours adrift.
Final Disposition
The Rosinco sank on September 19, 1928, with an estimated loss value of $100,000–$150,000 in 1928 dollars. The wreck is now a protected archaeological site, awarded title to the State of Wisconsin in 2000.
Current Condition & Accessibility
The wreck is located at a depth of approximately 195 ft (59.4 m), is intact and upright, and is well-preserved. The hull and superstructure remain in good condition, with some artifacts such as silverware and china still present. Environmental hazards include commercial fishing nets draping the bow and deckhouse.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”rosinco-georgiana-iii-whitemarsh-us-214160″ title=”References & Links”]
The Rosinco is a significant wreck reflecting the transition from luxury steam to diesel-powered private yachts in the early 20th century. Its historical importance includes innovative naval architecture, its role as a flagship during the Roaring Twenties, and its status as a legally protected archaeological site.
Full Wreck Record — complete historical article, construction details, voyage logs, incident reports, dive conditions, and all research sources.
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