Lauren Castle

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In 1980 the tug Lauren Castle sank while towing the SS Amoco Wisconsin near Lee Point in Traverse Bay. Engineer William Stephan lost and never recovered.

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According to Willy, today is the 30th anniversary of the sinking of the Lauren Castle. I have read a couple of other reports that had stated the 6th. I believe that Willy KNOWS when his father passed.

Boat was surveyed in 400 feet of water last month by
Hans W. Van Sumeren
Director
Great Lakes Water Studies Institute
Northwestern Michigan College
1701 E. Front Street
Traverse City, MI 49686
Many thanks Hans! William Stephan jr.



15 minute video available on youtube

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Sky, thanks for your response. I finally watched the video tonight. I wanted to wait until today...the 30th anniversary. It brought chills to my skin to see that.
As everyone knows, Willy and I were on the trip last year when they where unable to locate the Lauren Castle. We appriciate and understand how hard it was for Hans, Mark and the crew to get that film. I think it brings Willy comfort to see his fathers grave, even thou they never recovered the body.
Once we move to Wisconsin we will be able to take the Heart of Glass to Traverse City and visit the grave site. The HOG was Willys dad's boat so it is only fitting that Willy takes it to visit his dad. I understand that Willy has a tradition or routine for when he goes to visit. I will let him tell you about it. It involves a priest and a pack of cigs.....ppat

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A little history from Willy....C& P from across the hall....ppat

No takers??? This was from Oct '06 a lot of water here since then!!! ws

yachtsmanbill
Senior Member Posts: 5,138
Join Date: Apr 2006

Re: A "Hatteras" tug boat (few were built) - 10-19-2006, 10:35 PM
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Well now ! Not a lot of people know this story, and I am very surprised you remember it. That happened nov.4,1980. The tug was the LAUREN CASTLE out of Sturgeon Bay. Am I on target yet? Against instructions, she was placed in front as the steering boat with no towing gear other than an H bit. The AMOCO WISCONSIN had no steerage and veered off coarse and tripped the tug. She layed on her side and since all the doors were open she swamped and sank in 15 seconds, with my dad in the engine room. He was the only crewman lost, and never recovered. This occured on the west bay of traverse bay about a half a mile east of Lee point.
That boat belonged to Curly Selvic and 6 years prior to that, upon their return home from a cross lake tow the realized that his son was gone and he was never found.
Every few years I run my Roamer (my dads boat) to suttons bay and pick up Father Charley and go say a mass for the old man.
Small world aint it? Thats why I am so GOD DAMNED adamant about seamanship and safety. Thanks for remembering this! Bill Stephan


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yachtsmanWILLY

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A little history on the Lauren Castle per Boatnerd....ppat

LAUREN CASTLE

Other names : built as GEN. G.M. SORREL, renamed McALLISTER BROS. in 1949, NORTH AMERICAN in 1968 and LAUREN CASTLE in 1969

Official no. : 203337

Type at loss : propeller tug, steel, diesel

Build info : 1906, Delaware Shipbuilding, Chester, PA

Specs : 98x21x11, 180g 122n

Date of loss : 1980, Nov 8

Place of loss : Grand Traverse Bay, 7 mi N ofTraverse City

Lake : Michigan

Type of loss : collision

Loss of life : 1 of 4

Carrying : none

Detail : She was towing disabled tanker AMOCO WISCONSIN when she struck bottom and slowed, causing her to be rammed from behind by the tanker. She sank quickly - some reports say within 15 secoinds. Lies in almost 400 feet of water.

Owned by Selvick & Co.

Two crewmen were killed in a towing accident involving her, fleetmate tug JON M. SELVICK and the cement boat S.T. CRAPO in Mar, 1974.