Pretoria(ship)

For the United States Navy troop transport, seeUSS Pretoria (1897).

Pretoria(schooner-barge) Shipwreck Site
U.S. National Register of Historic Places
Launching ofPretoria
Nearest city	Bayfield, Wisconsin
Coordinates	47°05.36′N90°23.66′W
Architect	Davidson, James
MPS	Great Lakes Shipwreck Sites of Wisconsin MPS
NRHP referenceNo.	94000835
Added to NRHP	August 17, 1994

Pretoria,anAmericanschooner barge,was one of thelargest wooden shipsever constructed. She was 103 meters (338 ft) long, had a beam of 13.4 meters (44 ft), and 7 meters (23 ft) in depth. She was built by James Davidson inWest Bay City,Michigan,for use on theGreat Lakes.

"Pretoria" at dock

To strengthen her wooden frame and hull,Pretoriawas constructed using steelkeelsonplates, steel chords, and steel arches. She also was strapped diagonally with steel. She needed adonkey engineto run a pump to keep her interior dry.

TheSaginaw, Michigannewspaper "The Courier-Herald" described "Pretoria" 'slaunchon July 26, 1900 in the following way:

The schooner "Pretoria, the largest wooden boat ever built, was launched at Davidson's shipyard this afternoon, in the presence of a vast multitude. The" Pretoria "will carry 5,000 tons ofiron ore,175,000bushelsofwheat,or 300,000 bushels ofoats...

On 1 September 1905,Pretoriatook on cargo at a pier inSuperior,Wisconsin.Another notable ship, thelake freighterSevona,took on cargo at the same pier shortly afterPretoria.Both ships sank the very next day near theApostle Islandswhen a legendarygalesent them to the bottom ofLake Superior.