As of Tuesday, Milwaukee County is auctioning off the Chris-Craft Roamer boat called Deep Thought that was abandoned on the Lake Michigan lakefront in 2024 after running out of gas.
After more than one attempt, the 44-foot boat was finally pulled from its rocky lakefront perch in May and is now at All-City Towing on the far South Side, awaiting a winning bid.
Auctioning the boat
“This is more than an auction – it’s a creative way to recover public funds and close the loop on an unusual challenge,” said Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley in a statement yesterday.
“Thanks to interdepartmental coordination and community interest, we’re turning a problem into an opportunity.”
The boat is being sold "as-is" and there was no minimum bid. With $25 bid increments, at publication time, 31 bids have pushed the price up to $1,100.
Whoever wins the auction, which closes at noon on Aug. 5, will be responsible for removing and transporting the boat as well as for a 5 percent buyer's premium.
There is no certificate of title for the boat, which – according to news reports – was abandoned by its owners Richard and Sherry Wells, from Mississippi, who ran out of gas and then ran aground during a thunderstorm and couldn't afford to rescue their boat.
However, the Milwaukee County Office of Corporation Counsel said it has, "created a process for transferring ownership legally and appropriately."
Hop on board
For whatever reason – schadenfreude, a symbol of man's struggle against the forces of Mother Nature, boredom ... who knows? – the abandoned boat became a cultural touchstone (and a graffiti canvas) for many.
We got to see a lot of the exterior of Deep Thought while the County pondered the best steps for its removal.
Though there are a couple below decks shots on the online auction page, we decided we needed more.
So, we went on board to get a closer look. Here's what we saw...
There's no denying it, Deep Thought is deeply flawed these days. I'm no expert on boats but I'd guess there shouldn't be gaping holes just above and below the waterline.
On board, most all the finishes – floors, surfaces, etc. – are destroyed and all the decking is torn up, revealing the engine compartment below.
One has to think that its future lies not afloat in a body of water but scrapped for parts – if there are any that remain useful (perhaps those motors?) – or gussied up and used as a roadside or backyard curiosity.
Parks Director Guy Smith acknowledged as much in the announcement of the auction.
“This is your chance to own a piece of Milwaukee’s lakefront story,” Smith said.
“Whether you're a salvager, an artist, or someone with a unique vision, we invite you to participate in this auction and help us turn local history into new opportunity.”
See for yourself
Interested bidders can see the boat for themselves at All City Towing, 1213 W. Mallory Ave., on Tuesday, July 29 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. No RSVP is required.
Born in Brooklyn, N.Y., where he lived until he was 17, Bobby received his BA-Mass Communications from UWM in 1989 and has lived in Walker's Point, Bay View, Enderis Park, South Milwaukee and on the East Side.
He has published three non-fiction books in Italy – including one about an event in Milwaukee history, which was published in the U.S. in autumn 2010. Four more books, all about Milwaukee, have been published by The History Press. A fifth collects Urban Spelunking articles about breweries and maltsters.
With his most recent band, The Yell Leaders, Bobby released four LPs and had a songs featured in episodes of TV's "Party of Five" and "Dawson's Creek," and films in Japan, South America and the U.S. The Yell Leaders were named the best unsigned band in their region by VH-1 as part of its Rock Across America 1998 Tour. Most recently, the band contributed tracks to a UK vinyl/CD tribute to the Redskins and collaborated on a track with Italian novelist Enrico Remmert.
He's produced three installments of the "OMCD" series of local music compilations for OnMilwaukee.com and in 2007 produced a CD of Italian music and poetry.
In 2005, he was awarded the City of Asti's (Italy) Journalism Prize for his work focusing on that area. He has also won awards from the Milwaukee Press Club.
He has been heard on 88Nine Radio Milwaukee talking about his "Urban Spelunking" series of stories, in that station's most popular podcast.