PENTLAND US150656, and FA Georger (Twisted Sisters Wreck)

The Pentland and FA Georger were two significant vessels that once plied the waters of the Great Lakes and the St. Lawrence River. Built in the late 19th century, these vessels served in various capacities before meeting their final resting place in the southeast corner of Grenadier Island, where they were deliberately scuttled in 1929. Today, these wrecks, famously known as the Twisted Sisters, lie intertwined on the riverbed, offering a fascinating site for divers and maritime historians.

Construction and Service History #

The Pentland, a steam barge, was constructed in 1894 in Grand Haven, Michigan, by Duncan Robinson. With a length of 192 feet, a beam of 35 feet, and a draft of 14 feet, the Pentland was a formidable bulk carrier with a propeller rig, boasting a tonnage of 827 tons. It was primarily used for transporting large quantities of goods across the Great Lakes and the St. Lawrence River.

The FA Georger, a schooner, was built earlier in 1874 in Tonawanda, New York, by FN Jones. Measuring 200 feet in length with a beam of 35 feet and a draft of 15 feet, the FA Georger was a two-masted vessel with a tonnage of 825 tons. Like the Pentland, the FA Georger played a crucial role in the maritime trade of its time.

The Scuttling and Controversy #

In 1929, both vessels met an unusual end when they were deliberately scuttled by Captain Augustus R. Hinckley near Grenadier Island in the St. Lawrence River. The decision to scuttle these vessels sparked significant controversy as they obstructed access to a gravel pit on the island. Despite the outcry, the ships were sunk, and they now rest side by side on the riverbed, their frames intertwined, earning them the nickname “Twisted Sisters.”

The Wreck Site #

The wrecks of the Pentland and FA Georger are located at coordinates N44 24.89, W75 50.96, in the southeast corner of Grenadier Island. The depth of the site ranges from 10 to 30 feet, with a current of around 0.5-1 knot. The buoy marking the wrecks is conical in shape, attached to a polypropylene line measuring 3/4″ in diameter and 20 feet in length, anchored by an 800-pound iron weight.

Divers visiting the site can observe the remains of these two vessels lying side by side, with their frames entangled in a unique display of maritime history. The proximity and intertwining of the wrecks make the site a popular and intriguing destination for those interested in shipwrecks and underwater exploration.

Ownership and Operational History #

The Pentland and FA Georger had a long and varied history of ownership and operation before their scuttling. The Pentland was owned by several entities, including Joseph C. Ford of Fruitport, MI (1907), the Spring Lake Iron Co. (1908), the Pentland Steamship Co. (1912), and the Ontario Trading Co. (1918). After running aground at Weaver Point in 1921 and being abandoned to the underwriters, the vessels were released in 1922 and eventually came under the ownership of Augustus R. Hinckley of Oswego, NY, in November 1922.

The FA Georger also underwent changes in ownership, eventually falling into the hands of A.R. Hinckley and others from Oswego. Both vessels suffered significant damage beyond repair when they struck the Port Colborne breakwater in Ontario in 1928. The enrollment for the vessels was surrendered in Oswego on May 18, 1928, marking their official abandonment. However, they were salvaged later that year and listed in Green’s Marine Directory in 1929.

Conclusion #

The Pentland and FA Georger wrecks, now resting as the Twisted Sisters, serve as a unique historical site in the St. Lawrence River. Their intertwined remains offer a glimpse into the past, reflecting the maritime history of the Great Lakes and the St. Lawrence River. While the controversy surrounding their scuttling is a reminder of the challenges of balancing industrial progress with environmental preservation, the wrecks themselves stand as a testament to the enduring legacy of these vessels.

External Links and References #

• Maritime History of the Great Lakes: A comprehensive resource detailing the history of shipwrecks and vessels in the Great Lakes region.
• Grenadier Island Historical Society: Information on the island’s history, including the gravel pit and the wrecks of the Pentland and FA Georger.
• Save Ontario Shipwrecks (SOS): Dedicated to preserving and documenting Ontario’s shipwrecks, including the Twisted Sisters.

YouTube Video CC Dan Gildea #