Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: Guido Pfister
- Type: Schooner
- Year Built: 1873
- Builder: J. Hanson, Manitowoc, Wisconsin
- Dimensions: 198 ft (60.4 m); Beam; Depth of hold
- Registered Tonnage: 694.3 GRT / 661.5 NRT
- Location: South Pier, Duluth Ship Canal, Lake Superior
- Official Number: 85304
- Original Owners: Buffalo, New York; Milwaukee and northwestern lumber interests
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
The Guido Pfister was a wooden schooner, built in 1873, designed for bulk freight transport across the Great Lakes.
Description
Measuring approximately 198 feet in length, the Guido Pfister was a sturdy vessel with a registered tonnage of about 694.3 gross tons. It was primarily used for transporting corn and grain from Lake Michigan to ports in the upper Great Lakes.
History
Registered out of Buffalo, New York, the Guido Pfister was owned by lumber interests in Milwaukee and frequently engaged in bulk freight operations. Its service history included numerous voyages across the Great Lakes, contributing to the regional economy.
Significant Incidents
- Date of Loss: 10 October 1885, while entering the harbor at Duluth/Superior.
- The vessel lost its towline while coasting into position behind a tug, causing it to drift uncontrollably into the South Pier of the Duluth Ship Canal.
- The schooner grounded on rocks and was declared a total wreck on the spot.
Final Disposition
After grounding, the Guido Pfister was abandoned in place. It was later dynamited during pier reconstruction in 1898, resulting in its complete destruction.
Current Condition & Accessibility
Underwater surveys have confirmed that there are no intact remains of the Guido Pfister south of the Duluth entrance, indicating that the wreck has been entirely removed.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”guido-pfister-us-85304″ title=”References & Links”]
The loss of the Guido Pfister on 10 October 1885 highlights the dangers of towline failures in confined harbor entrances, particularly under the challenging conditions of the Great Lakes.
Full Wreck Record — complete historical article, construction details, voyage logs, incident reports, dive conditions, and all research sources.
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