MILWAUKEE, Wis. (WFRV) – After spending nearly seven months abandoned along Milwaukee’s lakefront, the boat known as ‘Deep Thought’ was finally removed.
On Tuesday, May 6th, the long-awaited operation led to a full day of street closures, announced by Milwaukee County.
Hundreds of people gathered at Bradford Beach yesterday to witness the long-awaited removal of the 75,000-pound boat.
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‘Deep Thought’ had been stranded between McKinley and Broadford beaches since October 13th, 2024, after its owners ran out of fuel, causing the boat so wash ashore.
Over the months, the boat became a quirky local attraction, drawing curious visitors, serving as a backdrop to countless photos, featured in an animated music video, and even a song have been written about the local landmark.
The National Bobble Head Hall of Fame even made a bobble boat.
Earlier attempts to remove the boat didn’t work, at one point, even a barge brought in to help got stuck. But on Tuesday, Milwaukee-based All City Towing finally got the job done using three cranes set up on the beach.
District 3 County Supervisor Sheldon Wasserman emphasized the importance of finally resolving the issue. He said it was a serious safety and environmental concern as the public starting climbing the boat, risking injury.
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The removal cost is estimated at $50,000, with Milwaukee County covering the initial expense.
Crews faced major challenges during the extraction, calling it a difficult and complex operation. But saying goodbye wasn’t easy for some, as many residents felt the boat had become a quirky piece of Milwaukee’s shoreline history.
According to County Executive David Crowley, there’s even talk of possibly salvaging parts of the vessel and selling them, giving the boat one final chapter before it fades into memory.
