Shotline Diving

Connecting You to the Depths of the Great Lakes

Cataract US 126237

Explore the remains of Milwaukee’s first fireboat, scuttled ceremonially in 1906, with potential artifacts lying offshore in Lake Michigan.

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

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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.

Legacy Notes & Full Historical Record

This section preserves the original unedited Shotline content for this wreck so that no historical detail is lost as we transition to the new logbook format.

Cataract

  • Registry: U.S.
  • Official Number: 126237
  • Type: Propeller-driven wooden fire tug
  • Builder: Rieboldt & Wolter, Sheboygan, WI (1888) (Naval Marine Archive, Great Lakes Shipwreck Files)
  • Dimensions: 106.75′ L × 24.5′ W × 11′ D
  • Gross Tonnage: 129 tons
  • Owner: City of Milwaukee Fire Department (1888–1906)

Final Voyage & Loss

  • Date: July 27, 1906
  • Incident: Decommissioned fire tug was towed offshore into Lake Michigan and ceremonially set ablaze as a public spectacle—then deliberately scuttled (Naval Marine Archive, wmhs.org).
  • Purpose: Served as a prominent display and finale to her service, followed by sinking to prevent dereliction.

Disposition & Wreck Site

  • Disposition: Burned and scuttled approximately off the coast of Milwaukee, WI
  • Site Condition: The wreck likely lies in relatively shallow offshore waters; possible structural remains and artifact scatter may exist beneath sediment
  • Hazard Status: Considered non-structural hazard; informal sinking predated formal Hazard Notices

Significance & Context

  • Milwaukee’s first fireboat, Cataract, served under the city’s fire department before being deliberately retired via scuttling—a unique ceremonial practice
  • The sinking doubled as both a public event and a practical disposal measure, characteristic of early 20th-century vessel retirement

Research & Survey Recommendation

  • Archival & Visual Records:
    • Milwaukee Fire Dept. logs (1906) likely detail the towing and retirement ceremony
    • Contemporary newspaper coverage (e.g., Milwaukee Journal) may offer photos, event descriptions, and exact date/time of sinking
  • Chart Analysis:
    • Early nautical charts may annotate the sinking site; NOAA or Coast Survey maps from 1906–1920 could mark the wreck
  • Site Survey:
    • A side-scan sonar sweep off Milwaukee’s shoreline could locate debris fields or intact structure
    • Follow with an ROV dive to assess preservation: potential vintage firefighting hardware aboard

Sources

  • Bay Shipbuilding Archive: Rieboldt & Wolter-built vessels including Cataract (1888) (wmhs.org, Naval Marine Archive, Milwaukee Public Library)
  • Milwaukee Fireboat History: Waldensian Marine Historical Society files – sinking date and ceremony details (July 27, 1906)

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.

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