Shotline Diving

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Rosinco (Georgiana III, Whitemarsh) US 214160

Explore the well-preserved wreck of the Rosinco, a luxury motor yacht from the 1920s, located in Lake Michigan at a depth of approximately 195 ft.

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.

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

  • Former Names: Georgiana III (1916), Whitemarsh (1919)
  • Registry Number: 214160
  • Year Built: 1916
  • Year Sank: 1928
  • Dimensions: 88 ft (26.8 m) L × 15 ft (4.6 m) B × 7.8 ft (2.4 m) depth of hold
  • Gross Tonnage: 82 tons
  • Location of Loss: Lake Michigan, approx. 12 miles east of Kenosha, Wisconsin
  • Coordinates: 42°37.50′ N, 87°37.62′ W
  • Depth: ~185 ft (56.4 m)
  • Lives Lost: 0

Vessel Type & Description

  • Type: Gas screw yacht (steel motor yacht)
  • Hull: Steel, riveted
  • Length-to-Beam Ratio: High, designed for speed and efficiency
  • Propulsion: Diesel screw propulsion
  • Masts: None
  • Deck Layout: Included deckhouse, standing rails, scuppers, windlass; luxury appointments for private yachting
  • Notable Feature: Transitional design incorporating elements of commercial vessels and destroyers for speed and safety

Designed by A.M. Main, naval architect of Harlan & Hollingsworth, the yacht represented a new era in American powerboat design with an emphasis on strength, speed, and seaworthiness.

Service History

  • 1916: Built by Harlan & Hollingsworth Corporation, Wilmington, Delaware, for William G. Coxe, president of the shipyard.
  • 1919: Sold to Commodore W.L. Baumin and renamed Whitemarsh.
  • 1920s: Acquired by Colonel Robert M. Morse of Chicago and renamed Rosinco, serving as the flagship of the Chicago Yacht Club.

The yacht frequently cruised the Great Lakes, hosting private gatherings and representing the peak of luxury yachting during the 1920s.

Final Voyage – September 18–19, 1928

The Rosinco departed Milwaukee around 11:30 p.m. on September 18, 1928, bound for Chicago with five crew and one guest.

  • 2:45 a.m., September 19: The yacht struck an underwater obstruction, possibly a floating pile driver or dock timber, about 12 miles east of Kenosha.
  • Damage: A deep hull breach caused rapid flooding.
  • Crew Response: All six aboard abandoned ship in lifeboats. They sighted Kenosha Lighthouse and began rowing to shore in heavy seas.
  • Rescue: After ~2 hours adrift, Kenosha Coast Guard Station spotted the distress and towed the survivors to safety.

Estimated loss value:* $100,000–$150,000 (1928 dollars).

Today – Site Condition

  • Depth: ~195 ft (59.4 m), intact and upright
  • Condition:
    • Hull & superstructure: Well-preserved
    • Artifacts: Some silverware and china remain
    • Deck Equipment: Windlass, cleats, scuppers, and rails still in place
    • Environmental Hazards: Commercial fishing nets drape bow and deckhouse
  • Ownership: Federal Court (2000) awarded title to the State of Wisconsin, securing its archaeological protection.

The site is a technical diving destination requiring trimix or closed-circuit rebreathers due to depth and decompression obligations.

Notmars & Advisories

  • No official U.S. Coast Guard hazard bulletin issued post-1928.
  • Divers should coordinate with Wisconsin Historical Society and NOAA Thunder Bay for access protocols.

Resources & Links

Shore & Dive Information

  • Depth: 185–195 ft (56–59 m)
  • Entry: Boat access only
  • Dive Rating: Advanced/technical (trimix recommended)
  • Emergency Contact:
    • U.S. Coast Guard – Kenosha Station: +1 262-657-3028
    • 911 for emergencies
  • Nearest Launch: Kenosha, WI
  • Permits: Required for artifact interaction or photography for publication

Conclusion

The Rosinco is a well-preserved steel motor yacht that reflects the transition from luxury steam to diesel-powered private yachts in the early 20th century. Its historical significance lies in:

  • Innovative naval architecture from the Delaware shipbuilding hub.
  • Role as a Chicago Yacht Club flagship during the Roaring Twenties.
  • Status as a legally protected archaeological site, pivotal in preservation law for Great Lakes shipwrecks.

Keywords

Lake Michigan, steel yacht, luxury motor yacht, 1920s, wreck preservation, Kenosha, technical dive, Harlan & Hollingsworth, Rosinco, Georgiana III, Whitemarsh, underwater cultural heritage.

rosinco-georgiana-iii-whitemarsh-us-214160 1928-09-18 01:44:00