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’s Underwater Heritage

Vol.11 No. 3 A publication of the Wisconsin Underwater Archeology Association September 2001 The Wreck of the Luxury Yacht : An Early Twentieth Century Time Capsule, Part 2 by Dr. Richard Boyd, Jefferson Gray, Russell Green and Dr. John Jensen tom in 185 feet of water. The wreck is remains virtually unchanged. The imbedded, with the bow rising windlass and associated fittings are approximately 8-9 feet above the clay well preserved and are the largest Inside, page 4: bottom and the stern rising roughly 5 artifacts among a collection of intact feet. A review of historic photographs deck cleats, chocks, scuppers, two Shipwrecks in Review and underwater video footage, com- hawse pipes and an exposed chain by Dr. Richard Boyd bined with the knowledge that the locker. The wooden deck, presumably Rosinco was built with a 5 foot draft, laid in teak, is intact and its seams suggests that perhaps 5-6 feet of the are clearly visible beneath a light wreck is imbedded below the lake sheen of silt. At the cutwater, a cop- of approximately 15 storage batteries, bottom. Consequently, with much of per emblem depicting a pair of wings still hooked in series and to the the vessel exposed and accessible, the is easily discernable and indicative of engine, are housed in an on-deck wreck possesses considerable archeo- the yacht’s elaborate design. Two for- locker that surrounds the engine logical potential. Moreover, the buried ward facing portholes are missing room skylight. When not under diesel portion of the wreck is presumably from the deckhouse, and a heavy, power, these substantial batteries better preserved than that which is small mesh commercial fishing net is supplied power to the vessel’s many exposed, offering even greater arche- tangled in the wreck’s starboard side electrical conveniences, including ological potential. In light of the deck rail and has collapsed several fans, elegant light fixtures and tele- role as a naval auxiliary feet of railing. Rosinco’s graph for communication between the vessel, information relating to the Amidships, the deck rails remain engine room and navigation bridge. vessel’s engineering and construction standing. On the starboard side, a In the stern, fittings for the life characteristics would be particularly steel gangway, once lifted and boat davits are visible, as is a small interesting. secured to the side of the yacht while continued on page 6 At the bow, the vessel’s deck underway, is now deployed and leads down to the lake bottom. Wooden framed storm and screen doors remain securely hinged on the aft and port side doorways of the deckhouse. Despite the efforts of looters, some china, cutlery and furniture remains in the deckhouse, as do the cup- boards and counter tops. A number of chairs have been removed from the vessel and now lay in a twisted pile beneath the extended gangway. Aft of the sizable deckhouse, three of the four skylights above the engine Dining salon of the Georgiana III. The A stateroom on the Georgiana III. The Motor Boat 1916. room are intact. An impressive bank Motor Boat 1916. 2 Wisconsin’s Underwater Heritage September 2001

Association News WUAA Fall Meeting main rows with some cross logs. The album full of "low water level photos" The Fall meeting of the Association upstream log ends are buried in grav- showing what certainly appears to be will be held in Duluth, MN on elly muck while the downstream ends a dam. In fact, he has located a refer- Sunday, Nov.11, 2001, at 9:00 a.m. at stick up into the water. This "pile of ence to a sawmill dam in the area and the Canal Park Museum. Items of logs" goes most of the way across the other mentions of dams. action will include election of officers. river but, near the west side they stop. What’s next? We’ll go back and do For more information contact Tom Here there are some medium sized more detailed mapping. Danny Aerts Villand at 608-221-1996 or tvill@ rocks where the deepest and maybe has sketched out what we have so chorus.net. the fastest portion of the current goes. far. Future mapping may happen this These are the features mapped in what Steam Engine Workshop fall or next spring, when there may has become a WUAA project. be less water and better visibility?! A workshop on marine steam engines Preliminary reports indicate that will be held in Duluth, MN on Nov.11, We are also ready to get into the this may well be the remains of a research part of the project. We the day after the Gales of November crude dam. Craig Malven has an show. See the enclosed flyer for details and registration information. The Dyreson Sawmill Project June 30th, 8:30 am, ten people gath- ered to slog thru the waters of the Yahara River in search of the mean- ing of the logs that had been long ago placed on the river bottom. The water level was high, one spot was actually over Tom’s head, but was clearer than expected. The logs lay parallel to each other, touching one another, forming two

Survey team at the Yahara River site. Photograph by Tom Villand.

Wisconsin’s provides support to mem- Treasurer Gresham, 715-787-4444 Underwater bers’ research and publi- Tom Villand Janet Defnet cation projects. Annual Madison, 608-221-1996 Mukwonago, 414-363- Heritage is pub- membership dues are $15. lished quarterly by the Newsletter Editor 9874 For membership informa- Danny Aerts Wisconsin Underwater Send correspondence to: tion, contact the secretary Middleton, 608-821-0048 Archeology Association, a or write to the address WUAA nonprofit association of below. Activities Coordinator PO Box 6081 individuals and organiza- Cathy Klecker Madison, WI 53716 President Marshall, 608-655-3769 tions interested in study- Jeff Gray email: [email protected] ing and preserving the Madison, 608-271-1382 Website Manager website: underwater cultural Colin Zylka www.mailbag.com/users/ Vice-President Waukesha, 262-524-0145 wuaa/ resources and historical Andy Jalbert sites of Wisconsin. Madison, 608-257-4840 In addition to publishing Directors this newsletter, the Richard Boyd Secretary Association also holds Delafield, 414-464-2092 Russel Leitz semiannual meetings and Oshkosh, 920-231-9082 Robert Korth September 2001 Wisconsin’s Underwater Heritage 3

already have a couple of files of facts, archeological drawings to the site many days you can help out, and if thanks to Craig and Hank Whipple, plan. The vessels slated for documen- you need accommodation. This is a which we can use for a base to work tation are three vessels at great opportunity to learn about or from. If you’d like to get involved in "Birminghams" on the eastern shore brush up on mapping techniques – the research, contact Thomas Villand of Sturgeon Bay. All three wooden not to mention watching the leaves at [email protected] or 608-221-1996. vessels had been involved in the turn in beautiful Door County. He will send a list of what we know stone trade at local quarries. The sites Members with no field experience to and some ideas of what needs to be lie in 0-10 feet of water, so snorkel- you old pros are all welcome, so come done. ing as well as diving opportunities take part in the ECU-WHS-WUAA fall will be available. Participants should event. ECU-WHS-WUAA Project bring their dive gear and tanks. Figureheads Thursday, September 20 to Mapping tools will be provided by Sunday, September 23, 2001 WUAA and ECU. Please come with Cathy Green will present her work on Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin tanks filled. the historical study of ship figure- heads to the Four Lakes Scuba Club A field opportunity for all associa- A cabin has been set aside at in Madison on Wednesday, November tion members! East Carolina Birmingham Cottages for WUAA 7, 2001. The meeting will be held at University’s Program in Maritime members. Those wishing to stay there Jingles Coliseum Bar, 232 E.Olin Studies has been training graduate will share the cost of the cabin. The Avenue. WUAA members are wel- students in Wisconsin waters for cabins are very near the site and do come. for further information contact years. This year, Dr. Brad Rodgers have kitchen facilities, but only 3 Danny Aerts at 608-821-0048 or will lead a small group of students to beds, so keep in mind that it may [email protected]. Sturgeon Bay for three weeks as part involve sleeping bags on the floor. of their annual fall field school. The Please get in touch with WUAA mem- Association will be assisting in ECU’s ber Russ Leitz at 920-231-9082, or mapping efforts over a long weekend at [email protected] if you plan to use from Thursday, Sept. 20 - Sunday, these accommodations. Space is limit- Sept. 23. ed, so contact us as soon as possible. ECU students and faculty will be It is preferable if participants could be on hand Thursday and Friday to there all four days to insure consis- explain ECU’s mapping style and how tency in mapping, etc. However, if WUAA’s contribution will fit into the you can only come up for a portion of project. Wisconsin Historical Society the time that is fine, just indicate underwater archeologists Russ and which days you will be there so we Cathy Green will continue to oversee can plan accordingly. the project on Saturday and Sunday. Participants must sign up in The project will cover underwater advance! Contact Russ Leitz as soon mapping, as well as transferring the as possible and let him know how

Surveying the sawmill site on the Yahara River. Photograph by Tom Villand. 4 Wisconsin’s Underwater Heritage September 2001

Shipwrecks in Review by Dr. Richard Boyd

lowed eight vessels on Lake Huron. conducted an underwater archeologi- With the finding of the Wexford, only cal survey of the bottomlands adja- two vessels still remain undiscovered: cent to the light. The second preserve, the Hydrus and James Carruthers. A Southwest , encompasses an few years ago, the long-lost freighter area from the Indiana border to Regina was discovered in 85 feet of Holland, Michigan, and out to a depth water off Lexington, Michigan, and of 120 feet. The sanctuary contains a has been a popular dive site ever number of important shipwrecks, since. Since the Wexford is in including the schooner Rockaway on Canadian waters, it is under the pro- which a prominent archeological s is our periodic custom, we tection of the Province of . study was conducted during the again review noteworthy Also on Lake Huron at Alpena, the 1980's. Aunderwater archeological hap- first national marine sanctuary on the It is a well known fact that many penings involving shipwrecks, center- was officially dedicated unique commercial boats were created ing upon events in the Great Lakes, on October 7, 2000. The 448-square to transport cargo on the inland river but also mentioning world-wide dis- mile reserve, called systems of the Midwest. A number of coveries or activities of special impor- National Marine Sanctuary and these boats are known only from his- tance or particular interest. Underwater Preserve contains over torical descriptions and drawings; no This period on the Lakes has not 100 shipwrecks and is the first feder- actual samples have ever been found. boasted a large number of new ship- al marine designate in 25 years to be Recently, low water near Michigan's wreck discoveries, but at least one of created specifically for historical pres- Harvey Marina at Sault Ste. Marie has great significance has occurred. Along ervation. It is the culmination of exposed the remains of a rare dou- Lake Huron's eastern shore, another almost a decade of work to convince ble-ended, Mackinaw-style craft. "ghost ship" from the Great Storm of local businesses and politicians of the Vessels of this type, about 80 feet in 1913, the Wexford, was found! That value of a state-and-federal co-opera- length, were constructed in the east- freighter was transporting a cargo of tive venture. The State of Michigan ern Upper Peninsula and used to grain and steel rails when she disap- and the National Oceanic and move cargo on the St. Mary's and peared with all hands in November of Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), other northern river systems. Plans 1913 while steaming south from the co-administrators of the sanctuary, are currently underway to survey and Goderich area. For years, wreck hunt- will now begin a complete archeologi- protect this special find. ers have unsuccessfully combed that cal survey of all underwater sites, On in May of 1953, region of the lake for the 250-foot most of which have been known and the ore freighter Henry Steinbrenner vessel. Last year, a salmon fisherman heavily dived for many years. sank off Isle Royale with heavy loss scanning the lake for fish between Although Michigan's share of operat- of life. For years, speculation has Grand Bend and Bayfield noted an ing costs is estimated to be about $1 occurred on her final deep water rest- unusual bottom contour about 11 million per year, no user fee will be ing place, usually cited as about 20 kilometers offshore. He reported this charged to visiting divers. miles south of Point Houghton on Isle to local divers who subsequently con- In other preservation activities, the Royale. Lake Superior Magazine firmed the wreck of the Wexford sit- State of Michigan approved two more (August / September 2000) reports in ting upright in 77 feet of water. The shipwreck preserves during the year a "letter to the editor", that this is ship is in excellent condition, 2000. The State's smallest unit is now incorrect and that the wreck is really although it shows signs of having at DeTour Passage and contains only five miles off Saginaw Point on a received a terrible battering in the about 14 square miles of the Upper track of 150 degrees. Whereas storm and is also covered with a layer Peninsula, sandwiched between the Houghton Point is situated on the of zebra mussels. Several excellent mainland and Drummond Island. A south end of Siskiwit Bay near videos have already been made on number of interesting shipwrecks Fisherman's , Saginaw Point is the wreck and are now making the have been found in this area during miles further up the island between rounds of various underwater film the past decade. The DeTour Reef Chippewa Harbor and Middle Islands festivals. Lighthouse is also being conserved Passage. Thomas R. Thornton of The Great Storm of 1913 swal- by a private organization which has Dollar Bay, Michigan, reported wit- September 2001 Wisconsin’s Underwater Heritage 5 nessing the sinking along with four would contain at least five ship- been found in Lake Champlain. other people back in '53. He further wrecks, including the 104-foot steam- Actually, Arnold scuttled most of his claims to have located the hull on his er Adventure which burned and sank boats in the lake after a defeat by the fishfinding sonar during visits to the in shallow water near an island dock British in 1776. Over the years, arti- island in 1995, although he did not in 1903. The steamer has been a facts from this fleet have unexpected- take LORAN numbers at the site. popular wreck dive for decades, and ly come to light. For example, a Hopefully, some enterprising wreck some artifacts removed by divers in bronze cannon "swivel gun" found in divers will check this out during the the 1960's have now been returned to the lake in 1932 recently appeared on summer months, although the vessel the site. Like Sturgeon Bay, E-Bay, posted to sell for $2,000. will likely be too deep for any practi- Wisconsin, Kelley's Island was once a Inscribed on the gun was manufac- cal diving excursions. leading producer of limestone and the turing data which convinced Art Cohn As reported in the last review arti- wrecks lost near the island were part that the weapon was indeed from cle, The Great lakes Shipwreck of its "stone fleet". Arnold's fleet. Negotiations by New Historical Society at Whitefish Point On the far western end of Lake York's U.S. Attorney, the Navy and has undertaken a search for the Erie, low water has exposed a very the General Services Administration World War I French minesweepers interesting, non-shipwreck archeolog- with the possessor of the cannon which disappeared on Lake Superior ical entity last seen in 1930. A log resulted in an amiable return of the in November of1918. Their planned causeway from the War of 1812, artifact to the Lake Champlain sonar search of Superior Shoals known as Hull's Road, was uncovered Museum. during the year 2000 was postponed by receding water. On his way to In an unprecedented move, the due to bad weather. This year their defend Detroit from the British, State of Rhode Island has used the equipment arsenal will include a new American General William Hull legal technique of declaring salvage ROV which incorporates sonar, still encountered a swampy region which rights to protect important and video cameras, and a robotic impeded his forced march. Hull had Revolutionary War wrecks from trea- grapple. The apparatus can operate to his troops construct a log roadway sure hunters and looters. Underwater depths of 1,000 feet. capable of handling the infantry and archeologists in Rhode Island have Under the discipline of underwater wagons. Although the wooden road sought the exact location of 13 ves- geology, a giant native copper boulder allowed Hull to reach Detroit in three sels sunk by the British in 1778 has been found in Lake Superior near days, he was eventually ousted by when Newport was under siege by Eagle River. The Keweenaw Peninsula the British. Over the years his road American and French forces. Some of is geologically unique in many was inundated by a rising Lake Erie, the wrecks had been located previ- respects, one of these being the pres- not to be exposed again until 1930 ously by vandals and seriously pil- ence of pure native metal deposits and once more in 1999. Michigan fered. Among the undiscovered which were formed before Earth had may nominate the site for placement wrecks was the famous Endeavour, an oxygen atmosphere. Nearly pure on the Register of Historic Places. the "science ship" used by Captain nuggets of copper, silver, and even Out on Lake Ontario, a single James Cook to explore the Pacific. gold have been mined along the Lake shipwreck preserve was established When lost near Rhode Island, the and also found underwater. A diver in spring of the year 2000 by a joint vessel was under private ownership from the geology department of effort of the Oswego Maritime and had been renamed the Lord Michigan Tech University (MTU) at Foundation, Sea Grant and the state Sandwich. Houghton / Hancock has located a of . The steamer David W. State explorers had found two huge submerged copper mass, mea- Mills, which ran aground on Ford sunken vessels, but were aware that suring 18-feet across and weighing Shoal near Oswego in 1919, has been artifact hunters were closing in on the over 20 tons! The boulder may be buoyed and designated as a cultural others. Furthermore, state authorities raised this summer and displayed at sanctuary dive site, the first on Lake were uncertain whether current antiq- the Seaman Mineral Museum at MTU. Ontario. Today the vessel rests in uity laws would cover and protect all Other huge native copper deposits about 20 feet of water with many the sites involved. Thus, in a move have been discovered over the years, parts of the hull and machinery still often used by salvagers themselves, but rarely underwater! in fair shape. This preserve is the first Rhode Island invoked admiralty law On Lake Erie, the State of is of several planned for Lakes Erie and and were legally awarded custody of in the process of establishing its first Ontario plus the St. Lawrence all wooden, non-motorized vessels underwater preserve at Kelley's Seaway. resting within a two-square mile sec- Island. The State Historical Society As WUAA members heard several tor of Narragansett Bay. The grant, and DNR are working with the local years ago in a special program given called a preferred maritime lien, pro- island council which has given final by Art Cohn, a gunship from Benedict tects the site from salvage by domes- approval to the project. The preserve Arnold's Revolutionary War fleet has continued on page 6 6 Wisconsin’s Underwater Heritage September 2001

Shipwrecks in The Wreck of the Luxury Review Yacht Rosinco, Part 2 continued from page 5 continued from page 1 tic or international companies and section of missing deck. On the star- survives as a well-preserved example from other claims of ownership. board side an unobstructed compan- of the relative handful of vessels ionway provides access to below deck intended to serve that dual purpose. Up in Alaska, a rare and interest- areas. A deposit of clay on deck, a Additionally, this national signifi- ing, non-maritime, underwater artifact foot thick and approximately 4 feet in cance is paralleled with tremendous was discovered by accident. A group circumference, suggests that the regional and local historical impor- of archeologists were conducting a Rosinco landed on the bottom stern tance. The vessel’s reported claim as tour of previously excavated habita- first. This may have produced a the first diesel yacht on Lake tion sites when several participants "shovel effect" that resulted in clay Michigan, as well as its Fairbanks- noticed the remains of a wooden fish from the lake bottom being deposited Morse connection, brings the trap in a creek, apparently exposed by on deck. Structural damage from the Rosinco’s history closer to home. erosion of the stream bank. The impact appears inconsequential, how- Finally, the yacht’s remarkable state structure, composed of spruce strips ever, and the yacht’s rudder and pro- of preservation ensures that at least tied together with cord, was in peller may be intact, but hidden some of the lingering historical ques- remarkable condition. Samples of the beneath the sediment. tions may still, despite years of loot- wood were carbon-dated to around ing, be answered archeologically. AD 1500, about the same time when Below decks, the yacht’s interior is the nearby camp sites were last occu- likely in good state of preservation, pied. Excavation and preservation of and should yield excellent informa- the fish trap is currently underway. tion relating to the vessel’s elaborate accommodations, shipboard decora- tion and workmanship. Due to its sudden catastrophic sinking, the Rosinco affords a rare glimpse into life on one of the most luxurious Great Lakes yachts of the early twen- tieth century. Historic documents reveal that when the yacht was launched, the salon, dining area and staterooms were finely appointed with oak and mahogany paneling, beams and furniture; the wreck’s cold fresh- water environment is ideal for pre- serving waterlogged wood. Notably, the vessel’s Fairbanks-Morse diesel power plant and associated machin- ery are presently intact. As mentioned in the previous issue of Underwater Heritage, the Rosinco has been found eligible for the National Register of Historic Places and the is currently processing the vessel’s nomination; it should be officially listed later this year. As can be seen by this brief two-part chronicle, the Rosinco possesses significant histori- cal and archeological value. Built by Harlan and Hollingsworth as a finely appointed pleasure craft and WW I naval auxiliary vessel, the Rosinco September 2001 Wisconsin’s Underwater Heritage 7

In the June 2001 issue of Wisconsin’s times, and only a few are repre- Underwater Heritage the history and sented in the Great Lakes arche- construction of the palatial motor ological record. It is possible yacht Rosinco was examined briefly. that only two vessels comprise This second installment will highlight this exclusive latter group: W.L. the Rosinco’s connection to Harkness’ yacht Gunilda, which Wisconsin, as well as the yacht’s rests in nearly 300 feet of icy final voyage and archeological signif- Canadian water in Lake icance. Superior, and Colonel Robert H. t the time of its loss in 1928, Morse’s Rosinco. These two the Rosinco was owned by splendid vessels may be the last industrialist Colonel Robert H. examples of an era when pres- A tige and power on land were Morse, then vice-president and part owner of Fairbanks-Morse and embodied in extraordinary Engine hatch of the Rosinco. Photograph by Brad Friend Company in Beloit, Wisconsin. In an boats. era of unprecedented prosperity and The final transfer of Rosinco’s leisure activity, Morse’s elaborate ownership assigned new significance Fairbanks-Morse expanded into an yacht was a well-recognized symbol to the already remarkable craft, for it astonishing array of mechanical and of emerging American opulence. is indeed difficult to mention Robert electrical products including farm Specifically, Morse’s yacht, and others Morse without making reference to tractors, air compressors, steam like it, reflected the prosperity of a Fairbanks-Morse, in the same man- pumps, bridge machinery, small new class of entrepreneur: the ner that one associates John D. boats, magnetos, generators, marine wealthy industrialist. As the twenti- Rockefeller with the Standard Oil con- engines, feed grinders, railway motor eth century unfolded, many - glomerate, or George Westinghouse cars and locomotives. Charles H. ful and famous industrialists cruised with the Westinghouse Electric Morse died in 1921 at the age of 88; the Great Lakes in majestic boats. empire. Fairbanks-Morse and he had successfully guided his com- These individuals included the Dodge Company was without question an pany into a position of leadership in brothers (automotive), James J. Hill important contributor to the industrial American engine technology. During (transportation), William Harkness development of Wisconsin and the the 1920s, his sons, Charles H. Jr. (Standard Oil financier), Arthur nation in general. During the nine- and Robert H. Morse, assumed the Shattuck (Kimberly-Clark paper), teenth-century, Fairbanks-Morse was roles of president and vice-president Russell Alger (lumber), Thomas Cole formed by the acquisition and amal- respectively. Colonel Robert Morse (mining) and Andrew Carnegie gamation of diverse manufacturers. became vice-chairman of the board in (steel), among others. The vessels The original E. & T. Fairbanks 1927 and was president and general they constructed or purchased for pri- Company, begun in 1830, was a fab- manager by 1931. Gas and diesel vate use marked an era when prestige ricator of platform scales. These high- engines, including a line of smaller, and power afloat were embodied in ly successful products were widely well-respected marine diesel engines, singular boats. However, their mag- employed in industry, agriculture and eventually became a mainstay of the nificent motor yachts plied the Great postal services throughout the eastern business. The Rosinco was, in fact, Lakes for only a short time. None are and Europe. By 1860, fitted with a Fairbanks-Morse Model known to have survived to modern an extensive Fairbanks sales network 35 marine diesel engine in 1927. had been developed and distributors Final Voyage were allowed to use the company Rosinco’s final voyage began in name. Charles H. Morse, an E. & T. September of 1928 when Morse and a Fairbanks apprentice in 1850, even- small entourage cruised from tually created Fairbanks-Morse, a dis- to . Aboard were Morse, tribution company that introduced his son and three friends, and George Fairbanks scales to the American Lay Weed, a prestigious Chicago Midwest. banker. After a short layover in Success, and capital, came quickly, Milwaukee on Tuesday, 18 September, enabling Morse to acquire new indus- the elder Morse decided to visit the trial products for his growing compa- Fairbanks-Morse plant in Beloit. An ny, including a unique windmill that ardent aviation enthusiast, Morse’s became an enormous marketing suc- son John subsequently persuaded his Fan on the Rosinco. cess and a very popular railroad father to charter a flight from Beloit water pumping station. By 1890, Photograph by Brad Friend continued on page 8 8 Wisconsin’s Underwater Heritage September 2001 The Wreck of the Rosinco, Part 2 continued from page 7 back to Chicago. The Rosinco, then the grand vessel slid, bow first, wooden beams. This appeared consis- flagship of the Chicago Yacht Club, beneath 185 feet of water. Only one tent with the fact that many docks in was to return to Chicago with only casualty was incurred: the ship’s the Racine-Kenosha area were under- Weed and the ship’s crew aboard. canary mascot. going renovation and much debris With its seven passengers The escapees fired up the launch’s from these projects was floating in embarked and Captain Edward Ellison motor and headed west for shore, but the lake. Another theory centered on in command, Rosinco departed after less than a mile the craft began a pile-driving barge that was lost and Milwaukee harbor late Tuesday eve- leaking. The excited castaways bailed adrift in northern . ning. The five-man crew consisted of vigorously, while Captain Ellison sig- Some speculated that this craft might Harry Marumrud (chief engineer), G. naled for help with a small flashlight. have been blown southward where it L. Beatty (steward), John Larson After two hours of motoring and bail- eventually collided with Morse’s (lookout), and able seamen W. H. ing, and still two miles offshore, the yacht. A thorough search of the area, Cerben and Lars Rorick. Ten miles off launch was spotted by Coast Guard carried out by the Coast Guard, failed Kenosha at 2:45 a.m. on Wednesday, Surfman Paul Berg who was to produce evidence of a rogue barge. 19 September, the vessel reportedly patrolling the beach near Kenosha As for the Rosinco, only a few float- struck some floating "box timber" that when he noticed Ellison’s S.O.S. sig- ing cushions, life preservers, a cap- apparently ruptured the steel hull. nal. Berg notified station commander tain’s hat, and some neckties The duty crew quickly awakened William McGraw, a lifesaving boat remained. Days later the Kenosha those who were sleeping below decks was dispatched, and soon the ship- Evening News reported that a Racine and everyone hurried topside. Within wrecked men of the Rosinco found fishing tug had hauled up a small minutes it was plainly evident that themselves safely ashore. The follow- boat from the wreck of the Rosinco. Rosinco had been mortally damaged ing day, all were on their way back to Beyond this, however, the vessel was and was sinking rapidly. Everyone Chicago. a complete loss and the Coast Guard considered the incident closed. promptly jumped ship and swam to During the ensuing days, consid- the small motor launch towed behind erable conjecture arose as to what The Rosinco Today the yacht in tandem with a tiny row- sank the Rosinco. What could cause a Due to Lake Michigan’s cold fresh boat. No sooner had the crew and robust steel vessel to founder so water, the Rosinco’s hull, deck and their guest cast the line off that teth- quickly? Originally, reports circulated deckhouse are structurally intact and ered the launch to Rosinco, when the that the vessel had been struck by exceptionally well preserved. The ves- yacht’s stern lifted into the air and "box timber," that is, a raft of sawed sel is resting upright on the lake bot-

Working in the Yahara River. Photograph by Tom Villand. September 2001 Wisconsin’s Underwater Heritage 9

Lumberman Project

There has been a great deal of con- mooring on the wreck. In early ologist, spoke with Wisconsin Public cern with respect to the deterioration September, The UW-Milwaukee's Radio's Larry Meiller and answered of the wreck of the schooner research vessel Neeskay with some callers' questions. From a 22-foot . Lost in the Spring of skillful maneuvering from Captain boat anchored near the site, Cathy 1893 off Oak Creek, Wisconsin, the Ron Smith and able assistance from Green used a cell phone to participate Lumberman rests in 60 feet of water Skip Porter and Greg Stamatelakys, in the four-way conversation. The RV and is in a remarkable state of pres- slowly lowered the mooring block to a Neeskay, while moored directly above ervation. The wreck represents one of spot 24 feet off the stern of the the wreck, served as the center of the few relatively intact wooden Lumberman. communications. schooners sunk at a shallow depth in Also in early September members During the mapping process, an the Great Lakes and is subsequently of the involved organizations set up a alarming discovery was made. Upon an important wreck for new divers to baseline, which provides a point of measuring distances between fixed learn about wooden ship construction reference for most measurements. eye-bolt monitoring stations on the and history. Area divers have noted The baseline will remain a permanent stern of the wreck, it was discovered with concern the collapse of the fixture on the site until the project is that the Lumberman’s hull was flex- schooner's bow capstan into the ves- finished. Other tasks included hand ing up to two inches in the surge of sel's deck and the theft of some of the fanning sediment away from lower Lake Michigan. With the surge occur- vessel's decking. Other damage has parts of the wreck and removing ring in only 3-4 foot seas, concern been incurred due to dive boats drag- zebra mussels from areas that will has been expressed that further flex- ging and grappling for the wreck. require precise measurement. Offset ing may be occurring during more The Great Lakes Shipwreck measurements were taken off the inclement weather. Future efforts will Research Foundation is leading a baseline and stainless steel eyebolts revolve around monitoring this area cooperative effort on the Lumberman. were installed at strategic points on of the wreck and formulating a stabi- Other organizations involved are the the wreck to be used as measuring lization plan to help preserve the Wisconsin Historical Society, the stations for future monitoring. The wreck for years to come. Wisconsin Underwater Archeology GLSRF will frequently come back to Plans are now underway to com- Association, the Great Lakes monitor the site, re-measuring to see plete an assessment, archeological Shipwreck Preservation Society and if the shape of the vessel has survey and physical stabilization of the Underwater Archeology Society of changed. the wreck. The Historical Society Chicago. The RV Neeskay served as the plans to nominate the wreck to the During dives early this summer dive platform for the video and audio National Register of Historic Places significant progress was made on a production, while the Sea Grant’s RV when the necessary work has been rough survey and sitemap of the Orion and the GLSRF’s Explorer car- completed. wreck and underwater video and stills ried divers and news media to and Please check the website: www. were shot. GLSRF is working with from the site along with conducting ghost-ships.org/lumberman for more discoverer Dan Johnson, who has diving operations. With the weather information, to volunteer or to sign original footage of the wreck's cooperating nicely, the dive team not onto the email list. appearance when discovered. only mapped, but also shot underwa- Information for this article was In July divers from the GLSPS, ter video and tried out some under- water communications gear. The visi- provided by Brad Friend and Cathy Watermark Productions and the Green, among others. Wisconsin Historical Society per- bility on the wreck was fairly good, at formed assessment dives and placed about thirty feet. Combining the video a temporary mooring buoy. Initial with the audio, reporters asked ques- assessments indicated that the wreck tions to divers as they mapped the is still fairly stable and may not be in Lumberman. need of reinforcement at this time. GLSPS members attempted to affix The team mapped more of the monitoring points to detect any fail- wreck and conducted a live radio ure of the wreck's structure. interview from the deck of the A grant from the Great Lakes Lumberman – 60 feet below the sur- Shipwreck Research Foundation has face. While hovering just above the allowed the placement of a permanent wreck, Jeff Gray, the state u/w arche- 10 Wisconsin’s Underwater Heritage September 2001

Maritime Databases

Door County Advocate have to guess how the DCA might 2 - 10 for number of lines of have spelled a name. information Russel Leitz reports that the Door Russel intentionally left out vessel a - for article over 10 lines County Advocate Marine database is dates if information was repetitious, Wreck location - Every time it online. It has about 39,000 entries, such as on a weekly route. wrecked. It may of left wreckage covering 1862 - 1949 and took about behind even though it was raised. 5 years to complete. In converting from his program to what’s online, the apostrophe was GLSRF You may go directly to the data- dropped. If you are looking for names The Great Lakes Shipwreck Research base at: http://www.seagrant.wisc. with an apostrophe, such as Frank Foundation has put four searchable edu/shipwrecks/dcadvocate/index. O’Connor, you must leave a space relational maritime history databases html where the apostrophe is to go. Happy online on their website which WUAA You will also find a link on the searching. members will find extremely useful. WUAA web site at: http://www.mail- If anyone finds missing dates that They have built a complex, multi- bag.com/users/wuaa/ they feel should be included, please field search engine for David or go to the Sea Grant web site let Russel know at [email protected]. Swayze’s wrecklist and imported it under What’s New at: http://www. Periodic updates will be made to the into a relational database. seagrant.wisc.edu/shipwrecks/ database. They also put Kimm Stabelfeldt's If you have never visited the Sea Russel would like to thank the 2000-record Great Lakes shipwreck Grant web site, do so. It has a lot of State Underwater Archeology depart- coordinate database online behind a information on shipwrecks. ment, especially Russ Green, State search engine as well as the entire Historical Department computer per- The database fields include: 5000-record wreck index from sonnel and Sea Grant for getting it Mansfield's History of the Great Object - quarry, pier, dock, shipyard, online. lighthouse, range light, lightship, Lakes and the the 5000-record The Association would also like to Captains’ obituary and types of unpublished Directory of Great Lakes thank Russel for the tremendous vessels such as barque, schooner, Commercial Sail by Loudon S. Wilson. amount of work he put into this proj- steamer, tug, consort, barge, The last two were done for Save ect. steambarge, propeller and etc. Ontario Shipwrecks. Name - of vessel, captain, quarry, Manitowoc Pilot The databases are online at www. pier, dock, lighthouse and etc. The Manitowoc Pilot newspaper was ghost-ships.org/databases.asp Date - when in paper a weekly that ran from 1859 - 1932. Presently the database is completed Page - in paper through 1878 with a goal of complet- Notes - short bit of information of ing the rest in one year. The complet- what info is in paper ed part will be online soon, with more Other Spellings - some that were ini- added as it is completed. tially noticed. Russel Leitz would like to thank In searching for vessels, Russel the State Historical Library for fur- says, he cannot over emphasize that nishing microfilm copies and the many of the vessel names had differ- State Underwater Archeological ent spellings. You must use different department for getting a microfilm combinations of parts of the name to reader. He is now able to work at come up with all sources. See the help home instead of the local library note alongside Name in the program. using interlibrary loans and paying An example would be when searching for parking. for the vessel Jennibel, you will find New fields have been added in the name spelled as Jennie Belle, addition to those used in the Door Jennie Bell, Jenibel, Jennibel, County Advocate database. They are: Jennybell and Jennybel. When you Column - in paper type in part of a name, you will also come up with all other vessels with Size - of info in paper the same combination of letters. You c - complete info is in notes September 2001 Wisconsin’s Underwater Heritage 11 WHS Activities The Wisconsin Historical Society has sank the steamer . During the sends a strong message to divers and had a busy summer of fieldwork. With early 1960s many artifacts were salvers across the Great Lakes region. three full-time employees this year, recovered – including the ship’s 5-foot Historic artifacts associated with the WHS has been able to move for- by 7-foot boiler. On 8 June 2001, after wrecked vessels should remain togeth- ward with a number of initiatives. almost 40 years above water, the boil- er at the wreck site. Salvaging artifacts er from the wreck of the was deprives others of the privilege of Moorings returned to the site. experiencing history first-hand and In May and June, the WHS placed This unique story began in July of destroys the artifacts’ inherent value moorings on six of the state’s most 1963, when Captain Edward Erickson, by detaching them from their historic popular shipwrecks. That brings the using his barge the , sal- context. By taking only pictures and total number of historic shipwreck vaged the wreck’s boiler. Notably, leaving only bubbles, divers can help moorings in Wisconsin to twelve. The Erickson’s Outer Island, a WW II era the preserve Wisconsin’s maritime new moorings off Door County include LTC (Landing Craft Tank), was itself a heritage for this and future genera- markers on the , Carrington historic vessel and saw action during tions. and Pilot Island wrecks. Additionally, the D-Day invasion. The boiler was the schooner Lumberman, which lies ECU and Notes from the Field brought back to the Erickson property just southeast of Milwaukee, received East Carolina University again takes to where it rested until earlier this sum- a mooring this September. Previously the waters of Sturgeon Bay to train mer. A few years ago, Erickson, local established moorings in Lake graduate students in nautical archeol- divers and others decided the boiler Michigan are on the historic ships ogy by documenting a number of could be best interpreted and pre- Frank O’Conner, Hetty Taylor, sunken vessels from the local stone served alongside the wreck of the and Selah Chamberlain. In the Apostle trade. A joint effort of the WHS and Pretoria. Over the next two years, the Islands area of Lake Superior, the ves- ECU, this annual field school benefits WHS worked with the group to sels Pretoria and Sevona now are the students and the state of arrange for the boiler's return. marked with mooring buoys. These Wisconsin by increasing the informa- ships join the and During the early morning hours of tion known about this little studied as buoyed shipwrecks in the Apostles. 8 June 2001, Rob Erickson, Edward’s area of maritime history. Be sure to son, and the crew of the Outer Island We would like to thank all of those checkout the article on page 3 of this made the four-hour trip from Bayfield, who help set and maintain the buoys. newsletter for more information on Wisconsin, to the Pretoria site. The moorings program continues to be how you can participate. Come out to Underwater archeologists from the a group effort. Sturgeon Bay to improve your map- Wisconsin Historical Society were ping skills, and to get on the Web! Having doubled the number of already on site and had marked off an moorings in one summer, the WHS is The ECU field school and the area where the boiler was to be Lumberman Project can be seen online taking early steps for the Wisconsin dropped. Erickson skillfully maneu- Maritime Trails initiative. Currently at the Notes from the Field Web site: vered the former landing craft over a www.shsw.wisc.edu/shipwrecks/notes. under development by the WHS, the marker buoy, and the Outer Island Trails are designed to wind above and Follow along or review past projects as crew rolled the boiler over the side archeologists from the WHS, divers below the waves highlighting with the help of a small front-loader. Wisconsin’s maritime cultural resourc- from the Great Lakes Shipwreck The drop was perfect. The boiler now Research Foundation, ECU students, es, including lighthouses, maritime rests about 25 feet from the wreck. museums, historic and archeological and WUAA volunteers, post daily The successful project was possible areas, as well as shipwrecks. updates and photographs throughout due to the efforts of several individu- the field season. Pretoria Boiler als and organizations, most notably Another project was the returning of Ed Erickson and the Erickson's family. the ship Pretoria’s salvaged boiler. WHS would also like to give thanks Lake Superior’s have to: Pat Labadie, Jim Reagan, Bruce claimed many ships, though few as Bowers, Rob Erickson and the crew of immense as the 338-foot Pretoria, one the Outer Island, Tony and Bobbie of the largest wooden ships ever to Ripple, Ken Dobson of SER Inc., Al sail the Great Lakes. Resting in 50 feet Brown of Watermark Pictures, the of water, the wooden schooner-barge Great Lakes Shipwreck Preservation wrecked a mile off Outer Island during Society and the Great Lakes Shipwreck a violent storm in September of 1905. Research Foundation. It was, in fact, the same storm that The return of the Pretoria’s boiler 12 Wisconsin’s Underwater Heritage September 2001

Coming Events Sep.20-23, 2001 Underwater Surveys in Door County, conducted by East Carolina University and WUAA. Contact Cathy Fach, 608-271-8172. Nov. 10, 2001 Gales of November, featured speaker Jean-Michael Cousteau. Contact Mary George, 218- 727-2497 or email [email protected]. Nov. 11, 2001 WUAA Fall Meeting. Duluth, MN, contact Russ Green, 608-271-8172. Nov. 11, 2001 Smoke on the Water, WUAA Workshop conducted by C. Patrick Labadie. Duluth, MN, con- tact Cathy Fach, 608-271-8172. Mar. 16, 2002 Ghost Ships Festival. Clarion Hotel and Conference Center, Milwaukee, contact Brendon Baillod, 414-403-3240(Cell), [email protected], www.ghost-ships.org.

Wisconsin Underwater Archeological Association P.O. Box 6081 Madison, WI 53716

For those interested in the study and preservation of Wisconsin’s underwater history and cultural resources.