The FRED PABST Was Launched and the Coroner’s Services Were Not Required

April 22, 2022

By Suzette Lopez

On April 5, 1890, the largest wooden steamer ever built on Lake Michigan slid into the water at Milwaukee’s Wolf & Davidson shipyard. The FRED PABST made quite the splash as reported below by the Milwaukee Journal of that day.

”The steamer FRED PABST was launched this afternoon at 2:30. This is undoubtedly the largest wooden vessel on the lakes, and when her stays were cut away and the immense structure began to slide towards the water’s edge, it seemed as though a seven-story brick block had gone on a bender and was taking in the South side. Half way over her ways she took a tumble to herself, landing in the water some feet below, on her side, at an angle of fully 45 degrees. Just how those who remained on board managed to save themselves is still a mystery, but that they did it is evident from the fact that the coroner’s services have not been required.”

The coroner’s services were not required but a man watching the launch sitting on the rail of the schooner barge FANNY NEIL was shaken off and fell into the water. It was reported that when he was fished out he had only received a cold bath and a black eye.

Named for Milwaukee’s brewer Captain Fred Pabst, the PABST was 310 feet in length over all, 42 feet in beam and 24 feet in depth of hold. She was built for heavy freighting with heavy oak frames held firmly by steel straps, carried three pole spars, without canvas, and a single smoke stack of considerable diameter. At the mastheads, in honor of the gentleman after whom she was named, miniature beer kegs took the place of the balls always seen there. Capt. Daniel P. Craine, formerly of the THOMAS DAVIDSON, took command of her and a crew of at least twenty men. Her owners Wolf & Davidson Steamship Company had made a contract with the Chapin Mining Company to transport ore between Escanaba and Lake Erie ports. The new vessel was valued at $154,000.

The PABST sailed until October 11, 1907, when at 4:00 a.m. while bound up in the St. Clair River between Fort Gratiot light and Point Edward light just off Port Huron, she was sunk by the steamer LAKESHORE. The LAKESHORE was badly stove in about the bow but her forward bulkhead saved her from sinking and she limped off for repairs. The PABST sunk close to shore and the crew all went into the pilot house and were safe.

The FRED PABST was a constructive total loss. She was later raised, dismantled and converted into a floating dry dock and used at Port Huron by the Reid Wrecking Co.

A few historical notes, 1889 was when Capt. Pabst spent $30,000 for some prime shoreline and created the lakeshore resort known as the Pabst Whitefish Bay Resort. After the 1893 Chicago World’s Fair, Capt. Pabst introduced the new Pabst Blue Ribbon beer which is still sold today.

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FRED PABST

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