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Waukegan (Commodore) US 222863

Explore the history of the Waukegan, a unique tug-to-passenger vessel that met its end in a significant fire in Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin.

Shotline Diving Wreck Profile

  • Name: Waukegan (formerly Commodore)
  • Type: Wooden propeller-driven passenger & package freight vessel
  • Year Built: 1919
  • Builder: Sturgeon Bay Dry Dock, Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin
  • Dimensions: 143 ft (43.6 m); Beam: 30 ft (9.1 m); Depth of hold: 17 ft (5.2 m)
  • Registered Tonnage: 763 tons
  • Location: Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin
  • Official Number: 222863

Wreck Location Map

Vessel Type

Vessel Type: Wooden propeller-driven passenger & package freight vessel

Description

The Waukegan, originally built as the tug Commodore, was converted in 1920 to serve as a passenger and package freight vessel. This transformation allowed her to accommodate passengers and cargo, facilitating trade on Lake Michigan.

History

Built as a U.S. Government Tug (1919-1920)
The vessel was constructed in 1919 for U.S. government service at Sturgeon Bay Dry Dock. She had a sister ship, the Kenosha, built for similar duties.

Converted for Passenger & Freight Service (1920)
In 1920, the Commodore was refitted and renamed Waukegan, allowing her to transport passengers, mail, and small freight cargo between ports on Lake Michigan.

Service Role on Lake Michigan
The Waukegan played a significant role in connecting rural communities to larger commercial centers like Chicago, Milwaukee, and Green Bay.

Significant Incidents

Final Loss and Destruction by Fire

  • Date of Loss: December 5, 1935
  • Location: Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin (winter dock)
  • Cause: Fire
  • Cargo at Loss: None (laid up for winter)
  • Loss of Life: None

On December 5, 1935, while moored at her winter dock, the Waukegan caught fire, leading to the destruction of multiple vessels at the dock, including her sister ship Kenosha, Lucia A. Simpson, Petoskey, and Swift. The fire resulted in a total loss for all five vessels.

Final Disposition

The Waukegan was completely destroyed by fire, and no structural remains are expected to be found. Any metal components may have been salvaged or remain buried at the dock site.

Current Condition & Accessibility

The dock area may contain debris from the multiple vessels lost in the fire. Underwater archaeology or sonar scans could identify wreck remnants or artifacts in Sturgeon Bay.

Resources & Links

[shotline_reference_links slug=”waukegan-commodore-us-222863″ title=”References & Links” show_ref_button=”yes”]

The Waukegan had a unique history, starting as a U.S. government tug before being converted into a passenger and freight steamer. Though no physical remains are expected, her loss is a notable chapter in Great Lakes maritime history.

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.

Shipwreck Report: Steamer Waukegan (Formerly Tug Commodore) (1919–1935)

Identification & Site Information

  • Vessel Name: Waukegan (formerly Commodore) Other Names: Built as Commodore, renamed Waukegan in 1920
  • Official Number: 222863
  • Vessel Type: Wooden propeller-driven passenger & package freight vessel
  • Built: 1919, Sturgeon Bay Dry Dock, Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin (Hull #2479)
  • Home Port: Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin
  • Specifications Length: 143 feet (43.6 metres) Beam: 30 feet (9.1 metres)Depth: 17 feet (5.2 metres)
  • Gross Tonnage: 763 tons
  • Net Tonnage: 517 tons

Operational History

Built as a U.S. Government Tug (1919-1920) The vessel was originally constructed in 1919 as the tug Commodore for U.S. government service. Built at Sturgeon Bay Dry Dock in Wisconsin, which was known for producing tugs, barges, and government vessels. She had a sister ship, the Kenosha, built for similar duties.

Converted for Passenger & Freight Service (1920)

In 1920, the Commodore was converted into a passenger and package freight vessel and renamed Waukegan. This transformation involved refitting the vessel with accommodations for passengers and cargo storage to serve the growing maritime trade on Lake Michigan.

Service Role on Lake Michigan

The Waukegan transported passengers, mail, and small freight cargo between ports on Lake Michigan, likely serving towns in Wisconsin, Illinois, and Michigan. She played a role in the early 20th-century shipping network, connecting rural communities to larger commercial centers like Chicago, Milwaukee, and Green Bay.

Final Loss and Destruction by Fire

  • Date of Loss: December 5, 1935
  • Location: Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin (winter dock)
  • Cause: Fire
  • Cargo at Loss: None (laid up for winter)
  • Loss of Life: None

Incident Details

On December 5, 1935, while moored at her winter dock in Sturgeon Bay, the Waukegan caught fire and was destroyed. The fire engulfed multiple vessels at the dock, also destroying:

  • • Kenosha (her sister ship)
  • • Lucia A. Simpson (one of the last commercial sailing schooners on the Great Lakes)
  • • Petoskey (a well-known freight vessel)
  • • Swift (another wooden steamer)

The blaze resulted in a total loss for all five vessels. The fire may have started due to heating equipment, electrical issues, or accidental ignition, but exact causes remain unknown.

Legacy and Significance

A Rare Tug-to-Passenger Vessel Conversion The Waukegan was originally built as a government tug but later converted into a passenger and freight steamer, a relatively uncommon transformation. This adaptation reflected the economic demand for small package freighters and passenger services during the early 20th century.

Part of the Lake Michigan Transportation Network The Waukegan and similar vessels provided essential passenger and freight transport before the dominance of automobiles, railways, and modern ferries.

Major Fire Disaster in Sturgeon Bay The fire of December 1935 was a significant maritime disaster, leading to the destruction of five ships. The loss of the Lucia A. Simpson, one of the last commercial schooners on the Great Lakes, marked the end of an era for sail-powered cargo transport.

Wreck Site and Potential Remains

  • Location: Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin
  • Current Condition: The Waukegan was completely destroyed by fire, so no structural remains are expected. Any metal components (boiler, engine, fastenings) may have been salvaged or remain buried at the dock site.
  • Potential for Discovery: The dock area may contain debris from the multiple vessels lost in the fire.
  • Underwater archaeology or sonar scans could identify wreck remnants or artifacts in Sturgeon Bay.

Further Research and Resources

  • Door County Maritime Museum (Sturgeon Bay, WI) https://www.dcmm.org Features exhibits on Sturgeon Bay shipbuilding, tugs, and maritime fires.
  • Maritime History of the Great Lakes http://www.maritimehistoryofthegreatlakes.ca Contains records on Great Lakes vessels, conversions, and ship losses.
  • Wisconsin Historical Society – Great Lakes Shipwrecks https://www.wisconsinshipwrecks.org Documents Wisconsin’s maritime history, including ship fires and wrecks.
  • Marine Museum of the Great Lakes at Kingstono= https://www.marmuseum.caHolds records on Great Lakes tugs and converted passenger vessels.
  • David Swayze Shipwreck File

Conclusion

The Waukegan (1919–1935) had a unique history, starting as a U.S. government tug (Commodore) before being converted into a passenger and freight steamer. She played a vital role in Lake Michigan transport before being destroyed in the 1935 Sturgeon Bay fire, which also consumed four other ships. Though no physical remains are expected, the loss is a notable chapter in Great Lakes maritime history.

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