Identification & Site Information

  • Robertson (aka Fayling)
  • Official No.: 157127
  • Built: 1884, Grand Haven, MI; built by Duncan Robertson of Grand Haven Shipbuilding (navalmarinearchive.com)
  • Original Name: Robertson
  • Later Name: Fayling (renamed 26 July 1924) (navalmarinearchive.com)
  • Type: Wooden, single-screw Tug (Towboat)
  • Official Number: 157127
  • Final Disposition: Dismantled and scuttled in 1947, ~5 miles east of Superior Entry, Lake Superior; laid up in 1940, enrollment surrendered 16 Apr 1943 at Duluth as “vessel Abandoned,” dismantled in 1947 (navalmarinearchive.com)

Vessel Characteristics

  • Construction: Wood Hull, one Deck
  • Propulsion: Screw-driven, 25 hp steam engine originally; upgraded to 188 hp by 1924 (navalmarinearchive.com)
  • Dimensions: 62.5 ft × 15.6 ft × 6.8 ft (19.05 m × 4.75 m × 2.07 m)
  • Tonnage: 37.94 GT / 23.16 NT

Ownership & History

  • 1884 – Built for George W. Miller, Grand Haven MI.
  • 4 Apr 1887 – Sold to Sands & Maxwell Lumber Co., Pentwater MI.
  • 1889 – Owned by Miller & others, Grand Haven.
  • 26 May 1890 – Sold to Carlos A. Sheldon, Houghton MI.
  • 16 May 1893 – Sold to James Pryor, Houghton.
  • 1901 – Bottom recaulked—maintenance for continued service.
  • 18 Feb 1909 – Acquired by Zenith Dredge Co., Duluth.
  • 26 Jul 1924 – Renamed Fayling, engine upgraded to 188 hp; dimensions and tonnage capabilities slightly adjusted.
  • 1940 – Laid up at Zenith yard.
  • 16 Apr 1943 – Enrollment surrendered at Duluth; deemed “Abandoned.”
  • 1947 – Dismantled and scuttled east of Superior Entry (navalmarinearchive.com)

Final Disposition & Wreck Context

  • Abandonment: Officially marked as Abandoned by U.S. authorities in 1943.
  • Removal: Final action in 1947—vessel was dismantled and deliberately scuttled in Lake Superior waters as a disposal method.
  • Wreck Impact: Likely reduced to Hull remains with boilers and engine components – limited hazard, no marine notices recorded.

Site & Survey Status

  • Coordinates: ~5 mi east of Superior Entry (exact coordinates unverified).
  • Survey Records: No known record of ROV/exploration surveys from NOAA, Michigan/Ohio marine archives.
  • Hazard Listings: No Notices to Mariners or NOAA hazard listing; scuttling suggests intended disposal, not accidental wreck.

Research Gaps & Recommended Next Steps

  • Archival Logs: Examination of Zenith Dredge Company records (Duluth archives) may reveal scuttling details.
  • U.S. Coast Guard logs: Enrollment file from 1943 may include abandonment narrative.
  • Underwater Survey: Suggest commissioning side-scan sonar or ROV pass to confirm remaining structure.
  • Crew/Personnel Search: Limited crew data; review Duluth newspapers (1940–47) for scuttling announcements.

Historical & Archaeological Notes

  • Significance: A small working Tug representing late-19th-century Great Lakes wooden towboats; served multiple industries—lumber, dredging.
  • Preservation Status: As a scuttled disposal, archaeological interest is modest, but remains may hold insight into early propulsion retrofit practices (engine upgrade in 1924).

Key Archival Links & References

  • Naval Marine Archive – Ship database (Grand Haven shipbuilder list; entry #157127 includes Robertson/Fayling timeline) (navalmarinearchive.com)

Conclusion

Robertson/Fayling exemplifies a multi-decade service Tug built in a regional shipyard and later serving industrial operations in Lake Superior via Duluth dredging. The vessel’s end-of-life scuttling in 1947 was procedural rather than catastrophic, yielding minimal on-site wreckage. For a comprehensive archaeological assessment, primary-source logs and a targeted underwater survey are advised.

Keywords: Tug, Towboat, wooden Hull, Lake Superior, Duluth Dredge, scuttled, Robertson shipyard, Zenith Dredge, 1884 build, 1947 dismantled.