(built 1906; lost November 5–8, 1980)
Vessel Identity & Specifications
- Name: Lauren Castle (formerly General G. M. Sorrel, McAllister Brothers, North American)
- USCG Official No.: 203337
- Built: 1906 by Delaware River Iron Shipbuilding & Engine Works, Chester, PA
- Type: Steel propeller Tug, single-screw, ~98 ft length × 21 ft beam × 11–12 ft depth, ~180 gt / 122 nt, 800 hp engine
(tugboatinformation.com)
Final Voyage & Cause of Loss
- On November 5, 1980, while towing the disabled tanker Amoco Wisconsin from Omena Bay toward Traverse City, MI (Traverse Bay, Lake Michigan), the tanker “tripped”—abruptly overtaking the Tug. This force caused Lauren Castle to strike bottom and slow, setting up a collision from astern by the tanker. She sank within seconds.
(Great Lakes Shipwreck Files) - Only 1 of 4 crew members survived; Engineer William Stephan was lost.
(The Gander)
Wreck Location & Condition
- The wreck lies upright in roughly 392–400 ft of water, 7 miles north of Traverse City, near Cat Head Point, and remained undisturbed until 1999. It was later surveyed using ROV and diving efforts by teams including Northwestern Michigan College. The vessel is described as mostly intact, with visible pilothouse windowpanes and zebra mussel overgrowth.
(The Gander)
Summary Table
| Field | Detail |
|---|---|
| Vessel Name | Lauren Castle |
| Built | 1906, Delaware River Iron Shipbuilding |
| Type & Size | Steel Tug; 98×21 ft; 180 gt |
| Official No. | 203337 |
| Loss Date | November 5, 1980 |
| Tow Vessel | Amoco Wisconsin (tanker) |
| Cause of Loss | Tow tripped; collision; rapid sinking |
| Crew & Casualties | 4 aboard; 1 survived, 1 fatality |
| Wreck Location | ~7 mi N of Traverse City, MI; ~392 ft deep |
| Condition | Generally intact, zebra mussel-covered |
This video provides a visual overview and is based on the wreck’s discovery and condition documentation.
Research Implications & Pathways
- The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) produced a comprehensive marine accident report in mid‑1981 addressing the towing mishap, use of towing gear, and contributing errors.
(TRID, Great Lakes Shipwreck Files, The Gander, YouTube) - Great Lakes Towing & Workboats and community-scale dive archives provide historical and visual detail of the wreck and its condition.
(Great Lakes Tugs & Workboats, The Gander) - Youtube – The Tug Boat Lauren Castle (wreck overview)
Recommended Further Inquiry
To deepen your research:
- Review the full NTSB marine accident report (NTSB-MAR-81-09)
- Analysis of technical failure modes and safety findings.
- Consult USCG documentation and survivors’ statements regarding Deck protocol and response.
- Contact Grand Traverse Bay Underwater Preserve Council for wreck site coordinates, dive logs, and survey imagery.
- Locate insurance or charter documentation from 1980 for salvage claims and ownership changes.
Final Summary
Lauren Castle was a steel-hulled Tug constructed in 1906. On November 5, 1980, she sank rapidly during a towing operation with the Amoco Wisconsin in Grand Traverse Bay. The incident was caused by a tripped Towline that allowed the tanker to ram the Tug from astern. Only one of the four crew survived. The wreck lies intact at nearly 400 ft depth and was located in 1999. It remains a striking example of late‑20th‑century Great Lakes towing accidents and underwater preservation.
Let me know if you’d like assistance tracking archival NTSB reports, dive footage, or related accounts.