Underwater Heritage
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
Wisconsin’s UNDERWATER HERITAGE Vol.11 No. 2 A publication of the Wisconsin Underwater Archeology Association June 2001 The Wreck of the Luxury Yacht Rosinco: An Early Twentieth Century Time Capsule by Dr. Richard Boyd, Jefferson Gray, Russell Green and Dr. John Jensen brown oak” (The Motor Boat 1916). pumped into the sink, and the range, Georgiana III and renamed her Three built-in sofa beds, a Pullman fitted with a hot water tank, sat on Whitemarsh. Notably, Commodore bed, quartered oak furniture, an top a metal coal box. Ice could be Baum’s Whitemarsh was Chicago’s eight-person dining table and two delivered directly to the vessel’s built first diesel engine yacht (Van Mell sideboards could accommodate sever- in ice-box via a watertight scuttle in 1975). Baum’s heralded Whitemarsh al guests. Cabinet and sideboard the upper deck (The Motor Boat subsequently became Rosinco when doors were glazed with leaded glass. 1916). Finally, for convenience and Colonel Robert Hosmer Morse The owner’s grand stateroom fea- safety, the yacht was equipped with a acquired the vessel in 1925. An avid tured a built-in three-quarters bed 16-foot Luders motor launch and a mariner, Morse joined the Chicago with drawers under, a Pullman bed, 14-foot tender. Yacht Club in 1922 and three years later spent $30,000 refitting the two dressing tables with drawers and Diesel Yachting Arrives On newly acquired Rosinco. Several years mirrors and a cheval mirror in the Lake Michigan bathroom door. The owner’s tub and later Morse became the club’s fleet In 1918, Commodore W.L. Baum washbowl, piped for hot and cold of the Chicago Yacht Club purchased continued on page 6 fresh or salt water, were located the above the waterline in order to drain easily overboard. All rooms, including one for children, were well ventilated and lighted by both natural and elec- trical light. Mahogany trim, carpet, plate glass and tile were used liberally throughout the vessel. Refinement was not limited to the living quarters. Paneled in mahogany, the roomy deckhouse contained a large davenport, card table and mov- able chairs. Green carpeting, uphol- stery, and Pullman shades accented the white mahogany finish, while two 15-inch ports and seven large plate glass windows provided ample light- ing and panoramic views. The state of the art galley also featured novel amenities. The area was enclosed with steel bulkheads to prevent the spread of a potential fire, and equipped with metal dish racks and lockers. Fresh or seawater could be Georgiana III (The Motor Boat 1916) 2 Wisconsin’s Underwater Heritage June 2001 Projects The Dyreson Sawmill Project included a canoe trip over this site useful report. In the spring of 1995 WUAA took an which is located in the Yahara River Interested individuals should con- active position in the Dyreson Fish near the town of McFarland. At the tact Tom Villand who will be coordi- Weir Project. Members mapped this meeting we decided to take on this nating the activities. project in cooperation with the SHSW stone feature which appeared to be of [email protected]; 608-221-1996. prehistoric origin. In the process of and begin as soon as feasible. We mapping we had noticed a wood expect to be involved in three aspects Summer Field Project structure protruding out of the water of the project: The State Historical Society of not far downstream. This structure Historical research Wisconsin is currently working with appeared as if it may be a man-made In water mapping WUAA to find a summer field project dam. in Door County. The SHSW has iden- Reporting. Preliminary investigation suggests tified a Sturgeon Bay wreck as a pos- There is a limit to how many peo- that this wood feature may indeed be sible candidate and will continue to ple that can be involved, but volun- man-made dam and possibly be asso- explore other options. Those interest- teers are certainly needed for each ciated with a sawmill built in the area ed in participating in a summer proj- aspect. The historical research portion in the 1860’s. ect in Door County should contact will involve looking at the original WUAA Secretary Russel Leitz 920- WUAA’S May semiannual meeting land survey, plat maps, newspaper 231-9082, [email protected]. accounts and interviewing local resi- The Program in Maritime Studies at dents along with archeologists that East Carolina University is also tenta- Sawmill site on Yahara River were involved in another nearby site. tively scheduled to carry out fieldwork The preliminary in-water mapping will in Door County this September, and take place Saturday June 30th. This WUAA members may have an oppor- will not involve scuba diving … one tunity to work on that site as well. would be hard pressed to find water Details will be forthcoming. over waist deep. Measuring and sketching skills would be helpful. Finally, the reporting aspect will involve drawing maps and consolidat- ing our work into an interesting and 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 June 2001 Wisconsin’s Underwater Heritage 3 Association News WUAA Fall Meeting A volunteer is needed for final The Fall meeting of the Association designing and printing of new will be held in Duluth, MN The week- WUAA membership/informa- end of the Gales of November show tional brochures. (Nov.10, 2001). Items of action will include election of officers. Details Yahara River Canoe will be in the next newsletter. Tour Toward An Understanding of A a good time was had by all Steam Bob Birmingham discussing a historic site on the Yahara River canoe trip. on the Yahara River. A workshop will be conducted by C. Fifteen people enjoyed the fine Patrick Labadie at the Canal Park weather and saw many nesting geese, things out at www.mailbag.com/ Museum in Duluth on Sunday, ducks and swans along the river. users/wuaa/. If you have ideas, sug- November 11, 2001. Details will be in State Archeologist Robert gestions or information to include on the next newsletter. Contact Cathy Birmingham pointed out some histor- the site, contact Colin at czylka@ Fach at 608-271-8172 or email ical sites of interest along the Yahara execpc.com. WUAA at [email protected] to let River, including pilings in the water Our Four Lakes thought to be from a dam for an old us know you are interested. second edition lumber mill. We hiked up the water WUAA Spring Meeting tower hill in McFarland as he dis- New and improved. The second edi- The Spring Meeting of the coursed on the effigy mounds of the tion of the WUAA book on the Four Association was held on Saturday area. He had a book on the subject Lakes in the Madison area is now May 12, 2001 at the Green Lantern in published last year. "Indian Mounds available. Association members may McFarland. It was brought to order by of Wisconsin" by Robert A. purchase it at the discounted price of Russell Green, substituting for Birmingham and Leslie E. Eisenberg, $12.00. Contact Tom Villand at 608- President Jeff Gray. Nine members can be purchased at the Wisconsin 221-1996, or email us at wuaa@mail- and two guests were present. Historical Society Museum Shop, or at bag.com. There is an additional $3.00 charge for mailing. It is also available Tom Villand reported that we now the University of Wisconsin Press through Madison area dive shops at have $2000 in the treasury. Two Web site: www.wisc.edu/wisconsin- the regular price of $14.95. thousand five hundred was used press ($45.00 hardcover, $18.95 soft- towards the printing of the updated cover). Four Lakes book. Russel Leitz volunteered to organize a ship documentation project. Web Site Cathy Fach and Russel Green volun- The new manager for the association teered to reevaluate our WUAA web site is Colin Zylka. Please check T-shirt before new ones are printed. Canoeing down the Yahara River 4 Wisconsin’s Underwater Heritage June 2001 From Compass to Castor: The Material Culture of the Great Lakes Schooner Columbian in 1871 by Dr. Jay C. Martin he great thing about historical vores, perhaps not earth shattering Gear Inventory of Schooner archeology is that many times news to most historical archeologists. Columbian, November 25, 1871 Tthe clues that one finds in the However the presence of a castor for 1 spirit compass archives are as tantalizing as the arti- spices reminds one that lakefarers fla- 3 marine compasses facts found on the lake or river bot- vored their food (fresh food was com- 1 papeut [patent] log and line tom.