Site Description
- Bulk Freighter
- 24ffw 8m
- 275ft Length
- Gravelly Bay, Lake Erie
- 42 33.682 80 05.429
Chronological History #
On April 17, 1888, the steamer PASCAL P. PRATT was launched in Cleveland, Ohio. It played an active role in towing the barge ANNIE M. ASH during its early years. In 1895, the PRATT encountered an incident when it ran ashore on rocks at False Detour due to fog but was eventually released. Significant repairs were undertaken in 1898, and the vessel continued to tow the A.M. ASH and WADENA.
By 1899, the PRATT came under the ownership of the Lakewood Transportation Company based in Fairport, Ohio. It played a pivotal role in towing the ATHENS in 1901. Ownership of the vessel was later transferred to the Lake Erie Towing Company of Cleveland, Ohio, in 1903.
In November 1906, the PRATT suffered damage during a severe storm, but temporary repairs were carried out in Sandusky, Ohio. However, on November 18, 1908, tragedy struck as the PRATT burned and became a total loss on Lake Erie at Long Point. Fortunately, all 18 individuals on board, including Captain W. E. Moore and his crew, were able to escape safely. The vessel was insured, but it succumbed to the fire along with its cargo of 2500 tons of hard coal.
The burning of the PASCAL P. PRATT was covered in the Buffalo Evening News on November 20, 1908. The cause of the fire remained unknown, and the crew’s efforts to extinguish it proved futile. They sought refuge with S. B. Long, the lighthouse keeper at Long Point, and were later transported to Dover. Despite its unfortunate demise, the PASCAL P. PRATT played a significant role in the Great Lakes region and left a lasting impact on maritime history.
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