Pfohl (st Paul – Lake Huron Steamer Shipwreck (1903)

Shotline Diving Wreck Profile

• Name: St. Paul (renamed Pfohl in 1902)
• Type: Steamer
• Year Built: 1868
• Builder: Thomas Arnold
• Dimensions: Length: 203 ft (61.9 m); Beam: 31.5 ft (9.6 m); Depth of hold: 13.1 ft (4.0 m)
• Registered Tonnage: 909.62 (later adjusted to 827 gross tons in 1903 after rebuilds)
• Location: Off Goderich, Ontario, Lake Huron
• Official Number: 23755
• Original Owners: Eber Ward & Associates, George W. Pfohl

Wreck Location Map

Vessel Type

The Pfohl was a wooden steamer designed for freight and passenger service, particularly in ice-prone waters of the Great Lakes.

Description

Equipped with 50 staterooms, wooden arches, and an iron-lined boiler house, the Pfohl was powered by a single-cylinder low-pressure engine (45×40″ stroke, 500hp) and a firebox boiler (10’6″ x 20′) from the Detroit Locomotive Works.

History

Early Career (1868–1881): Built to operate between Buffalo and Lake Superior, carrying freight and passengers. The vessel faced challenges, including being blown ashore in Duluth Harbor in 1872 and changing ownership multiple times.

Rebuilds and Incidents (1881–1902): The vessel underwent significant rebuilds, including a conversion into a steambarge in 1887. It faced several incidents, including a fire in 1883 that resulted in the death of the first mate and a collision in 1895.

Final Years (1902–1903): Purchased by George W. Pfohl in 1902, the vessel was extensively rebuilt. However, on May 20, 1903, while loaded with coal, it suffered a lamp explosion in the engine room off Goderich, leading to a fire and sinking.

Significant Incidents

• 1872: Blown ashore in Duluth Harbor, recovered and repaired.
• 1883: Burned at Detour, St. Mary’s River; a fire during repairs resulted in the death of the first mate.
• 1900: Caught fire off Alpena, Michigan, towed to safety, sunk for extinguishing, and later raised for repairs.
• May 20, 1903: Lamp explosion in the engine room led to fire and sinking off Goderich, Ontario.

Final Disposition

The Pfohl sank off Goderich, Lake Huron, where the wreckage remains. Despite multiple rebuilds and repairs throughout its career, the vessel’s history of fires and collisions ultimately led to its demise.

Current Condition & Accessibility

The wreck of the Pfohl is submerged in Lake Huron, accessible for diving. Divers are encouraged to practice no-touch documentation methods and to respect the site, leaving only bubbles and taking only memories.

Resources & Links

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The St. Paul/Pfohl exemplifies the challenges faced by 19th-century wooden steamers on the Great Lakes, reflecting the high demands placed on such vessels during the era.