Identification & Site Information:

  • • Name(s): Pride
  • • Registry: United States
  • • Official Number: 19681
  • • Vessel Type: Schooner
  • • Year Built: 1866
  • • Year Sank: 1901
  • • Hull Material: Wood
  • • Engines: None
  • • Dimensions:
  • • Length: 71 ft (21.6 m)
  • • Width: 20 ft (6.1 m)
  • • Depth: 6 ft (1.8 m)

Vessel Type

The Pride was a wooden Schooner, a versatile sailing vessel primarily used for cargo transport on the Great Lakes. Smaller schooners like the Pride were essential for navigating the narrower waterways and smaller ports along the lakes.

Description

Built in 1866, the Pride was constructed to carry bulk cargo, such as lumber, coal, or grain, across the Great Lakes. After 35 years of service, the vessel sank in 1901 in Sturgeon Bay, Door County, Lake Michigan. The cause of the sinking is not well-documented but may have been due to structural failure, grounding, or adverse weather conditions.

The shallow nature of the wreck site has left the remains exposed to natural and human influences, yet a surprising amount of the ship’s structure persists.

Final Dispositions

The wreck lies in only 6 ft (1.8 m) of water in Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin.

• The site is flat and partially buried in sand and weeds, but a significant portion of the Hull and Deck structure remains visible.

• Notable artifacts and features include:

• Rudder and sternpost

• Block and deadeyes (used in rigging)

• Centerboard trunk

• Samson Post (a vertical post for securing rigging)

• Part of a hatch coaming

• The foremast hole, indicating the location of the forward mast

Located By & Date Found

The wreck has been extensively surveyed and mapped by the Wisconsin Historical Society Maritime Preservation and Archaeology Program. A detailed site map and further information are available on their website, offering insights into the vessel’s construction and the state of the wreck.

NOTMARs & Advisories

The shallow depth makes the site easily accessible for snorkelers and beginner divers. Visitors should exercise care to avoid disturbing the site, as the wreck is protected under Wisconsin law. Artifacts should not be moved or removed, and sand and weeds should be left undisturbed to preserve the wreck’s condition.

Resources & Links

Keywords, Categories, Glossary

Keywords: Pride, Sturgeon Bay Shipwrecks, Lake Michigan Shipwrecks, Door County, Wooden Schooner

Categories: Great Lakes Shipwrecks, Maritime History, Shallow Wreck Sites

Glossary: Deadeyes, Samson Post, Centerboard Trunk, Hatch Coaming, Foremast Hole

3D Model – Pride

Pride by 3DShipwrecks on Sketchfab