PRETORIA

3 min read

The Remarkable Tale of the Pretoria (1900): Wisconsin’s Illustrious Shipwreck

In the annals of Great Lakes history, the grand schooner-barge Pretoria holds a distinguished place as the largest wooden ship ever constructed on these majestic waters. Launched in July 1900, this marvel of American wooden shipbuilding technology stood as a testament to the expertise of its builder and owner, James Davidson of West Bay City, Michigan. With its official registry number 150872, the Pretoria was a masterpiece, designed to carry vast cargoes, including iron ore, wheat, and oats.

With her impressive 338-foot length, the Pretoria dwarfed other wooden vessels, yet she remained smaller than her steel counterparts, stretching up to 500 feet. Her value, including cargo, amounted to a substantial $93,000. Alas, this proud ship’s fate took a harrowing turn during her final voyage.

On September 1, 1905, while laden with iron ore from Superior, Wisconsin, the Pretoria found herself caught in a ferocious storm while towed by the Steamer Venezuela. Tragedy struck when her hydraulic steering gear failed, and the tow line between the vessels parted, leaving the Pretoria adrift. As the storm raged, the waves relentlessly pounded her sides, gradually tearing her apart.

Desperate to find safety, the Pretoria dropped anchor but to no avail. The relentless fury of the seas forced her to continue disintegrating. As water inundated the vessel through the hatch combings, some hatches were torn off. With little hope of survival, Captain Smart and his nine-member crew reluctantly abandoned ship. Tragically, five crew members perished when their yawl overturned in the surf near Outer Island.

As the crew sought refuge at the Outer Island lighthouse, the Pretoria met her final resting place. Settling on the lakebed, she now lies beneath fifty-four feet of water, with her masts hauntingly protruding above the surface.

Despite the passage of time, the remnants of the Pretoria remain poignant reminders of her once-majestic presence. Salvaged and broken apart, the hull’s three major pieces, including the bilge, port, and starboard sides, retain remarkable integrity. The anchor windlass, an enduring testament to her grandeur, still adorns the site. Beyond the main wreckage, scattered debris associated with the Pretoria can be found several miles away.

An intriguing addition to the story occurred on June 8, 2001, when the Wisconsin State Historical Society, the Great Lakes Shipwreck Foundation, and the Great Lakes Shipwreck Preservation Society, united to return the Pretoria’s salvaged donkey boiler to its rightful place. Salvaged in 1961 and laid to rest in the woods for four decades, this brass-laden marvel was finally brought back to the wreck site, honoring the memory of the Pretoria and her valiant crew.

Today, the Pretoria rests in the tranquil embrace of Lake Superior, a testament to the indomitable spirit of the sailors who once sailed her decks and the enduring allure of the Great Lakes’ maritime history. As divers explore the haunting depths where the Pretoria resides, they uncover not just a shipwreck but a captivating chapter of Wisconsin’s maritime legacy.