Shotline Diving Wreck Profile

• Name: Pretoria
• Type: Wooden schooner-barge
• Year Built: 1900
• Builder: James Davidson, West Bay City, Michigan
• Dimensions: 338.4 ft × 44 ft × 24 ft (103.1 m × 13.4 m × 7.3 m)
• Registered Tonnage: 2,790 gross; 2,715 net
• Depth at Wreck Site: 20 m / 65 ft
• Location: Near Outer Island, Apostle Islands, Wisconsin
• Coordinates: Approximate; protected site
• Official Number: 150872
• Original Owners: Davidson fleet interests
• Number of Masts: Three-mast schooner rig

Wreck Location Map

Vessel Type

The Pretoria was a wooden schooner-barge, designed for heavy cargo transport on the Great Lakes.

Description

The Pretoria was one of the largest wooden vessels ever constructed, built by master shipbuilder James Davidson in 1900. Intended as a consort towed by a steel steamer, she represented the final technological peak of wooden ship construction on the Great Lakes. The barge carried iron ore, grain, and coal in bulk, with a carrying capacity exceeding 6,000 tons. Her three-mast schooner rig allowed auxiliary sail use if necessary.

History

When launched, the Pretoria was the largest wooden vessel in the world. Built specifically for the heavy ore and grain trade between Lake Superior, Lake Michigan, and Buffalo, New York, she was designed to maximize capacity while remaining towable by steam consorts.

Throughout her short career, she served under tow by several major steamers, including the Rappamannog (1900) and Sacramento (1901). Despite her immense size and cargo capacity, her wooden hull remained vulnerable under severe Great Lakes weather.

Significant Incidents

On 2 September 1905, the Pretoria was under tow by the steamer Venezuela with a cargo of iron ore. A gale struck near Outer Island in the Apostle Islands, breaking her towline. Left adrift in the storm, she foundered quickly.

Of her crew of 10 or 11, five perished when their yawl capsized near shore. Survivors reached land under dire conditions, highlighting the constant dangers of fall gales on Lake Superior.

Final Disposition

Declared a total loss, the Pretoria sank near Outer Island. The wreck remains broken but partially intact at depths between 55 and 65 ft. Her remains illustrate both the scale and the limitations of wooden bulk carrier construction at the turn of the 20th century.

Current Condition & Accessibility

The wreck was rediscovered in the late 20th century and has since been documented by the Great Lakes Shipwreck Preservation Society and 3DShipwrecks.org. The wreck is protected under Wisconsin historical preservation statutes. Divers may visit but artifact removal is prohibited. Strong currents and weather can create hazards.

Resources & Links

Access to the Pretoria is by boat, with conditions including cold water, occasional strong surge, and variable visibility. The wreck serves as a reminder of the maritime history of the Great Lakes and the challenges faced by wooden vessels.