Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: Cataract
- Type: Propeller-driven wooden fire tug
- Year Built: 1888
- Builder: Rieboldt & Wolter, Sheboygan, WI
- Dimensions: 106.75 ft (32.5 m) × 24.5 ft; Depth of hold: 11 ft
- Registered Tonnage: 129 tons
- Location: Approximately off the coast of Milwaukee, WI
- Official Number: 126237
- Original Owners: City of Milwaukee Fire Department (1888–1906)
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
Vessel Type
Propeller-driven wooden fire tug, designed for firefighting operations.
Description
Description
The Cataract was Milwaukee’s first fireboat, built in 1888. It served the city’s fire department until its decommissioning in 1906, when it was ceremonially burned and scuttled.
History
History
The Cataract was constructed by Rieboldt & Wolter in Sheboygan, Wisconsin. It was a significant asset for the Milwaukee Fire Department, providing firefighting capabilities on the water.
Significant Incidents
Significant Incidents
- July 27, 1906: The Cataract was towed offshore into Lake Michigan, ceremonially set ablaze, and then scuttled to prevent dereliction.
Final Disposition
Final Disposition
The Cataract was burned and scuttled approximately off the coast of Milwaukee, WI. The wreck likely lies in relatively shallow waters, with possible structural remains and artifact scatter beneath sediment.
Current Condition & Accessibility
Current Condition & Accessibility
The wreck is considered a non-structural hazard, as the informal sinking predates formal Hazard Notices. It may be accessible for survey and research purposes.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”cataract-us-126237″ title=”References & Links”]
Summary
The Cataract, Milwaukee’s original 129-ton wooden fire tug, was ceremonially burned and deliberately scuttled in Lake Michigan on July 27, 1906. Though physically retired more than a century ago, her remains may persist offshore as historical artifacts. A combined archival and remote-sensing investigation could document her remains and enrich Milwaukee’s maritime heritage.
Full Wreck Record — complete historical article, construction details, voyage logs, incident reports, dive conditions, and all research sources.
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