Shotline Diving

Connecting You to the Depths of the Great Lakes

Pascal P Pratt US 150424

Explore the wreck of the Pascal P. Pratt, a late 19th-century bulk freighter, now a popular dive site in Lake Erie.

Shotline Diving Wreck Profile

  • Name: Pascal P Pratt
  • Type: Wooden propeller bulk freighter
  • Year Built: 1888
  • Builder: Cleveland, Ohio (details unconfirmed)
  • Dimensions: Length ~275 ft (84 m); Beam; Depth of hold
  • Registered Tonnage: 1,927 Gross Tons
  • Depth at Wreck Site: 7.3 m / 24 ft
  • Location: Gravelly Bay, Lake Erie, near Long Point, Ontario
  • Coordinates: 42°33.682′ N, 80°05.429′ W (approx. 3 mi NW of Long Point Lighthouse)
  • Official Number: US 150424
  • Original Owners: Lakewood Transportation Co., Fairport, OH; later Lake Erie Towing Co., Cleveland
  • Number of Masts: Not specified

Wreck Location Map

Vessel Type

Type: Wooden propeller bulk freighter

Description

The Pascal P. Pratt was a wooden propeller bulk freighter built in 1888. It was primarily used for towing barges and transporting coal and cargo across the Great Lakes.

History

Built on April 17, 1888, in Cleveland, Ohio, the Pascal P. Pratt initially towed barges, including the Annie M. Ash. In 1895, it grounded in heavy fog at False Detour but was successfully refloated. The vessel underwent major repairs in 1898 and continued its towing missions. In 1899, it was purchased by Lakewood Transportation Co. and later transferred to Lake Erie Towing Co. in 1903. The vessel suffered storm damage in November 1906, which required makeshift repairs. On November 18, 1908, while hauling 2,500 ft of hard coal, the Pratt caught fire off Long Point, leading to its grounding to save the crew. All 18 crew members were rescued without casualties.

Significant Incidents

  • 1895: Grounded at False Detour in heavy fog; later refloated successfully.
  • 1906: Storm damage near Sandusky, OH; makeshift repairs completed.
  • 1908: Caught fire off Long Point while hauling coal; beached to save crew; vessel declared a total loss.

Final Disposition

After grounding near Long Point to save lives, the Pascal P. Pratt burned fully and sank in approximately 24 ft (7 m) of water. Salvage operations recovered machinery and about 600 ft of coal. The wreck site in Gravelly Bay is now a submerged historic wreck commonly visited by recreational divers.

Current Condition & Accessibility

The wreck lies at a depth of approximately 24 ft (7 m), making it suitable for beginner divers. Boat access is recommended, as shore diving may be limited. Visibility and conditions in Lake Erie can vary, with seasonal clarity fluctuations. Points of interest include partial remains of the hull, engine components, and scattered coal debris. Divers should be aware of hazards such as sharp timbers and entanglement risks.

Resources & Links

[shotline_reference_links slug=”pascal-p-pratt-us-150424″ title=”References & Links”]

The wreck of the Pascal P. Pratt provides an accessible and informative dive opportunity, rich in industrial maritime history. Its survival in shallow waters preserves both artifact and story—an enduring testament to the Great Lakes’ shipping legacy.

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.

Shotline Diving Wreck Profile

  • Type: Wooden propeller bulk freighter
  • Length: ~275 ft (84 m) (records vary: 272–286 ft) (alcheminc.com)
  • Depth: ~24 ft (7.3 m)
  • Location: Gravelly Bay, Lake Erie, near Long Point, Ontario
  • Coordinates: 42°33.682′ N, 80°05.429′ W (approx. 3 mi NW of Long Point Lighthouse) (Shipwreck World)

Construction & Career Highlights

  • Built: 17 April 1888, Cleveland, Ohio (shipbuilder details unconfirmed) (greatlakesvesselhistory.com)
  • Initial Use: Towed barges like Annie M. Ash
  • 1895: Grounded at False Detour in heavy fog; later refloated successfully
  • 1898: Underwent major repairs; resumed towing missions
  • 1899: Purchased by Lakewood Transportation Co., Fairport, OH
  • 1901: Involved in towing Athens
  • 1903: Ownership transferred to Lake Erie Towing Co., Cleveland
  • Nov 1906: Storm damage near Sandusky, OH; makeshift repairs completed
  • 18 Nov 1908: Caught fire off Long Point while hauling 2,500 t of hard coal; beached to save crew; vessel declared a total loss (Great Lakes Shipwreck Files, Facebook)

Casualties: None among 18 aboard; crew rescued and landed at Port Dover via Long Point Lighthouse keeper

Final Disposition & Site

After being grounded near Long Point to save lives, the Pratt burned fully and sank in ~24 ft (7 m) of water. Salvage operations recovered machinery and ~600 t of coal (Shipwreck World). The site, in Gravelly Bay, is now a submerged historic wreck commonly visited by recreational divers.

Dive Site Information

  • Depth: Approx. 24 ft (7 m) — suitable for beginner divers
  • Access: Boat access recommended; shore dive likely limited
  • Visibility & Conditions: Lake Erie variability; expect seasonal clarity fluctuations
  • Points of Interest: Partial remains of hull, engine components, scattered coal debris
  • Skill Level: Beginner to intermediate; standard wreck diving procedures apply
  • Hazards: Sharp timbers, entanglement risk, coal residue

Historical Significance

The Pascal P. Pratt exemplifies the late 19th-century bulk freight steamer—a workhorse of coal and cargo transport on the Great Lakes. Its grounded fire near Long Point and intact wreck in shallow water make it a rich historical artifact and a popular dive destination. The dual narrative of survival and transport history reflects both maritime resilience and industrial progress of its era.

Resources & Further Reading

  • Great Lakes Vessel History: “Pratt, Pascal P.” – confirmation of 1908 fire and loss (elgincounty.ca, greatlakesvesselhistory.com)
  • ShipwreckWorld map: Coordinates, wreck details, dive insights
  • 1908 Buffalo Evening News coverage – contemporary reporting on fire and crew rescue
  • Great Lakes Maritime History collections – broader context on cargo steamers and towing vessels

Keywords & Categories

Tags: Pascal P. Pratt, Long Point wreck, Lake Erie, coal freighter, bulk steamer, 1908 fire loss, Gravelly Bay dive
Categories: Recreational wreck diving, 19th-century bulk freighters, Lake Erie maritime heritage
Glossary: Bulk freighter, grounding, beached, coal cargo, propeller steamer

The wreck of the Pascal P. Pratt provides an accessible and informative dive opportunity, rich in industrial maritime history. Its survival in shallow waters preserves both artifact and story—an enduring testament to the Great Lakes’ shipping legacy.n

PRATT, PASCAL P. Propeller. U. S. No. 150424. Built 1888, of 1,927 Gross Tons. On Nov. 18, 1908 vessel burned at Long Point, Lake Erie, and became a total loss. Of 18 persons on board, no lives were lost. pascal-p-pratt-us-150424 1908-11-18 07:47:00