Sioux (c1890)

Shotline Diving Wreck Profile

• Name: Sioux
• Type: Wooden steam harbor tug
• Year Built: ca. 1890s
• Builder: Unknown (likely Milwaukee or Chicago)
• Dimensions: Estimated Length: 55–65 ft (16.7–19.8 m); Beam: ~16 ft (4.9 m); Draft: ~6–7 ft (1.8–2.1 m)
• Registered Tonnage: Approx. 35–45 gross tons
• Depth at Wreck Site: 20 ft
• Location: Milwaukee Harbor, near the north breakwall
• Coordinates: Approx. 43° 01.465′ N / 87° 54.022′ W
• Official Number: Unknown (likely unregistered)
• Original Owners: Ownership history is partially undocumented

Wreck Location Map

Vessel Type

The Sioux is classified as a wooden steam harbor tug, designed for local towing and assistance duties within harbor environments.

Description

Constructed in the ca. 1890s, the Sioux was a wooden vessel with an estimated length of 55 to 65 feet and a beam of approximately 16 feet. It was powered by steam propulsion with a single screw and had a gross tonnage of around 35 to 45 tons. The tug was likely home-ported in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

History

The Sioux served primarily as a local harbor tug, performing general towing and assistance duties. Records from the 1910s indicate that it was utilized in municipal or private harbor service, although specific ownership details remain unclear. Throughout its service, there are no significant casualty reports, suggesting a typical workboat career.

Significant Incidents

• Sioux was dismantled and abandoned in Milwaukee Harbor during the summer of 1918.
• It was scuttled near the north breakwall and city garbage plant, a known site for out-of-service harbor craft.
• No lives were lost during its abandonment.

Final Disposition

After being abandoned, the Sioux was likely scuttled adjacent to the tug Golden. Over time, harbor infill, dredging, and breakwall extensions may have buried or scattered the remains of the vessel.

Current Condition & Accessibility

The site of the Sioux is currently considered a non-navigational hazard. Modern sonar technology may be able to identify any buried wreckage near the north breakwall.

Resources & Links

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The Sioux represents the routine disposal practices of wooden harbor tugs in early 20th-century Great Lakes ports, where vessels were often stripped and scuttled rather than formally scrapped.