Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: Viking
- Type: Wooden gas-screw tug
- Year Built: 1897
- Builder: Washington Island, Wisconsin
- Dimensions: 37 × 10 × 6 ft; 10 gross tons, 9 net tons
- Registered Tonnage: 10 gross tons, 9 net tons
- Location: Off Lester Park, near Duluth
- Official Number: 205868
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
Powered by a small internal-combustion engine driving a screw propeller (“gas-screw”), Viking functioned as a workboat, aiding in towing, logging activities, and general harbor duties.
Description
The Viking was a wooden gas-screw tug built in 1897, primarily used for timber and fishing operations. It measured 37 feet in length, 10 feet in beam, and had a hold depth of 6 feet. The vessel was registered at 10 gross tons and 9 net tons.
History
On September 17, 1918, Viking became pinched between the tug Charley Ferris and her towed scow Ajax, and was rammed by the Ajax. The impact led to rapid flooding and sinking. The skipper was thrown overboard, and the engineer drowned as the vessel submerged to the deck.
Significant Incidents
- All hands lost (2 crew members).
Final Disposition
- Outcome: Sunk in shallow waters off Duluth.
- Towed to Safety?: Wreck was likely left in situ; no records indicate salvage.
- Structural Condition: Unknown; presumably sparse remains below the surface.
Current Condition & Accessibility
- No known formal wreck survey or rediscovery reported.
- Presumed resting site near the original sinking coordinates — potentially documented in Duluth local wreck inventories.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”viking-us-205868″ title=”References & Links”]
The sinking of Viking is a tragic illustration of the risks of near-shore towing operations on the Great Lakes. Victims included both crew — navigator and engineer. Given the vessel’s small profile and likely shallow wreck depth, an in-situ dive or sonar survey in the Duluth harbor area may reveal the remains of the tug.
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: Viking
- Official Number: 205868
- Built: 1897, Washington Island, Wisconsin
- Type: Wooden gas-screw tug, used in timber and fishing operations
- Dimensions: 37 × 10 × 6 ft; 10 gross tons, 9 net tons
- Date of Loss: September 17, 1918
- Location: Off Lester Park, near Duluth, Lake Superior
- Casualties: All hands lost (2 crew members) (Great Lakes Shipwreck Files)
Vessel Type & Function
Powered by a small internal-combustion engine driving a screw propeller (“gas-screw”), Viking functioned as a workboat, aiding in towing, logging activities, and general harbor duties.
Circumstances of Loss
On September 17, 1918, Viking became pinched between the tug Charley Ferris and her towed scow Ajax, and was rammed by the Ajax. The impact led to rapid flooding and sinking. The skipper was thrown overboard, and the engineer drowned as the vessel submerged to the deck (Great Lakes Shipwreck Files).
Final Disposition
- Outcome: Sunk in shallow waters off Duluth
- Towed to Safety?: Wreck was likely left in situ; no records indicate salvage
- Structural Condition: Unknown; presumably sparse remains below the surface
Located By & Date Found
- No known formal wreck survey or rediscovery reported
- Presumed resting site near the original sinking coordinates — potentially documented in Duluth local wreck inventories
Notmars & Hazards
- No Notices to Mariners issued at the time
- Wreck remains a minor hazard, given small size and probable shallow resting depth
Resources & Links
- Great Lakes Shipwreck Files (“Viking” entry) (Great Lakes Shipwreck Files)
- Duluth-area maritime incident reports (circa 1918 newspapers and harbor logs)
Conclusion
The sinking of Viking is a tragic illustration of the risks of near-shore towing operations on the Great Lakes. Victims included both crew — navigator and engineer. Given the vessel’s small profile and likely shallow wreck depth, an in-situ dive or sonar survey in the Duluth harbor area may reveal the remains of the tug.
Keywords & Categories
- Region: Lake Superior (Duluth)
- Vessel Type: Gas-screw tug, wooden
- Cause of Loss: Collision while towing
- Year: 1918
- Casualties: Two crew members lost
- Dive potential: Low — small vessel; possible wreckage in shallow waters