Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: Theora
- Type: Wood-hulled fish tug
- Year Built: 1893
- Builder: Duncan Robertson
- Dimensions: Length 62 ft (18.9 m); Beam 14.3 ft (4.36 m); Depth of hold 6 ft (1.83 m)
- Registered Tonnage: Gross 24.08; Net 12.04
- Location: Iron Bay, Lower Marquette Harbor, Lake Superior
- Official Number: 145640
- Original Owners: John Parker Fish Co., Marquette, Michigan
- Number of Masts: 1
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
Theora is classified as a wood-hulled fish tug, designed for fishing operations on Lake Superior. It features a single deck and is powered by a screw propulsion system.
Description
Theora was built in 1893 by Duncan Robertson in Grand Haven, Michigan. It is noted for being one of the first fishing tugs constructed specifically for Lake Superior. The vessel has a length of 62 feet, a beam of 14.3 feet, and a depth of 6 feet, with a gross tonnage of 24.08 and a net tonnage of 12.04.
History
Theora had a notable service history, particularly in the fishing industry. In 1897, it delivered a record haul of approximately 6 tons of lake trout, a record that stood until 1902. The vessel also performed marine services, including towing and assisting stranded vessels, particularly noted in 1905.
Throughout its operational years, Theora was involved in several significant marine events, including rescuing the crew of the William T. Rend in May 1905 and being trapped in ice in May 1917.
Significant Incidents
- 1920: A boiler fire occurred during maintenance, causing extensive damage to the vessel.
Final Disposition
Theora sank at her mooring at Spear Coal Dock in Iron Bay in 1926. There are no confirmed records of fatalities associated with the sinking. In May 1929, the vessel was lifted by the crane scow Detour, and its machinery was removed before it was scuttled in Iron Bay.
Current Condition & Accessibility
The current condition of Theora is unknown, but it is likely that the wooden hull has degraded over time. The machinery was removed prior to the scuttling, and there have been no public dive surveys or archaeological reports conducted on the wreck.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”theora-us-145640″ title=”References & Links”]
Theora represents an important piece of maritime history as an early wooden screw fish tug. Its operations and eventual scuttling in Iron Bay provide opportunities for archaeological interest and further research into early 20th-century fishing practices and vessel construction.
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
- Name/Built: Theora, Official No. 145640
- Built: 1893, Grand Haven, Michigan — reputed first fishing tug built for Lake Superior, constructed by Duncan Robertson
- Owner upon launch: John Parker Fish Co., Marquette, Michigan
- Type: Wood-hulled fish tug, single deck, screw propulsion
Vessel Specifications
- Hull: Wood
- Decks: 1
- Dimensions:
- Length: 62 ft (18.9 m)
- Beam: 14.3 ft (4.36 m)
- Depth: 6 ft (1.83 m)
- Tonnage: Gross 24.08; Net 12.04
Propulsion System
- Engine: Single-cylinder high-pressure steam engine
- Cylinder bore × stroke: variously noted as 13″×10″ or 10″×13″, possibly 13″×14″
- Boiler: single, 125 psi; dimensions circa 5′ 3″ × 9′
- Propeller: Single screw
Service History & Operational Records
Early Notable Fishery Performance
- 1897: Delivered record haul of ~6 tons of lake trout—record stood until 1902
- Ca. 1905: Performed marine services such as towing and aiding stranded vessels
Marine Events
- May 1905: Rescued crew of William T. Rend near Manitou Island, Keweenaw
- May 1917: Trapped in ice near Sugarloaf Mountain alongside tug Columbia; crew walked over ice to Little Presque Isle for provisions
Mechanical Incident
- 1920: Boiler fire—hot rivet or spark ignited the vessel during maintenance; extensive damage reported and reportedly uninsured
Final Disposition & Sinking History
- 1926: Sank at her mooring at Spear Coal Dock in Iron Bay, Lower Marquette Harbor; no fatality records yet confirmed
- May 1929: Lifted by the crane scow Detour; machinery removed; subsequently scuttled at Iron Bay, Marquette, Lake Superior
Gaps in Record & Research Avenues
Missing Crew & Ownership Records
- Crew list during 1920–1926 (deckhands, engineers, master)
- Further ownership/admittance logs after John Parker Fish Co.
- Fisherman licenses or docking/registry documents
Salvage & Legal Documentation
- Lift and salvage records for May 1929 via Detour – likely in U.S. Army Corps archives
- Location and status of removed engine/boiler components
- Ownership transfer or title abandonment legally documented
Local Newspaper & Archive Leads
- Investigate Marquette-area periodicals (The Mining Journal, Evening News, Daily Mining Journal) circa 1926–29
- Investigate Great Lakes maritime and Michigan public archives for boiler fire incident coverage
Photos & Plans
- Search if any hull plans, builder’s models, or photographs exist in:
- Grand Haven historical society archives
- Marquette maritime museums or University of Michigan archival collections
Wreck & Archaeological Status
- Scuttled: deliberately in Iron Bay (no precise coordinates published)
- Current Preservation: unknown; wooden hull likely degraded; machinery removed prior to sinking
- Survey Status: No public dive surveys, sonar scans, or archaeological reports found
- Next Steps:
- Sonar scanning and magnetometer survey of Iron Bay’s scuttling area
- Contact with local dive clubs (e.g., Marquette Underwater Recovery) for shoals mapping
Conclusion & Significance
- Theora is historically significant as an early wooden screw fish tug specifically built for Lake Superior, representing early commercial fisheries transitioning to powered vessels.
- Her operations from the 1890s through the 1920s demonstrate versatility—record fish hauls, ice rescue operations, and mechanical resilience.
- Scuttling in Iron Bay poses archaeological interest: even with machinery removed, hull remains could inform on late 19th-century wooden tug construction.
- Targeted dive survey and archival research could fill gaps in crew history, mechanical heritage, and structural design.
Next-Step Research Recommendations
- Archive visits: Marquette libraries, Michigan Maritime Museum, USACE Great Lakes District files
- Newspaper examination: Mining Journal digital archives for 1920 boiler fire, 1926 sinking, 1929 salvage
- Ship registry inspection: Enrollment records via National Archives or USCG historical vessel records
- Location survey: Coordinated dive/sonar expedition in Iron Bay; map shallow remains