Shipwreck Report: Dredge No. 4 (1900)

Identification & Site Information

• Name: Dredge No. 4
• Former Names: Unknown
• Official Number: Unknown
• Type at Loss: Dredge Barge
• Date Built and Launched: Unknown
• Builder: Unknown
• Measurements: Unknown
• Date Lost: September 26, 1900
• Place of Loss: Off Lorain, Ohio, Lake Erie

Vessel Type

Dredge Barge (Non-Self-Propelled)

Description

The Dredge No. 4 was a Dredge Barge, a non-self-propelled work vessel used for excavating and deepening waterways. She was being towed between dredging sites when she met her fate.

At the time of her loss, she was being towed by the tugs PETE GORMAN and DRAGON, likely moving between harbour projects along the Ohio coastline of Lake Erie.

Final Voyage & Loss

On September 26, 1900, while under tow off Lorain, Ohio, Dredge No. 4 sprang a leak forward during a sudden squall. The inrush of water was uncontrollable, and the Dredge quickly Foundered and sank.

Her four-man crew was rescued by the tugs, ensuring no loss of life, but the vessel was declared a Total Loss.

Due to limited documentation, it is unclear whether the wreck was ever recovered. Some sources suggest that this vessel could be the same as another Dredge named “NO. 4”, but no records confirm if they were ever salvaged.

Final Disposition

Sprang a leak and sank off Lorain, Ohio, on September 26, 1900, during a squall.

• Crew rescued: 4 saved by tugs PETE GORMAN and DRAGON
• Declared a Total Loss
• No record of recovery

Located By & Date Found

Nil—there are no confirmed reports of Dredge No. 4‘s wreck being found or salvaged.

NOTMARs & Advisories

Nil—no current navigational advisories related to Dredge No. 4‘s wreck site.

Resources & Links

• Maritime History of the Great Lakes
• Great Lakes Ships Database
• David Swayze Shipwreck File
• Ohio Shipwreck Research

Conclusion

The Dredge No. 4 is one of many Great Lakes work vessels lost due to storms, a testament to the risks faced even by industrial dredging crews. Although her crew survived, the vessel itself was never recovered, leaving her final resting place unknown.

With little documentation on her size, construction, or ownership, Dredge No. 4 remains an obscure but important piece of Ohio’s maritime history. If her wreck were located, it could provide valuable insight into turn-of-the-century dredging operations in Lake Erie.

Keywords, Categories, and Glossary Terms

• Keywords: Dredge No. 4 shipwreck, Lorain Ohio shipwreck, Great Lakes dredging, Lake Erie storm losses, Pete Gorman and Dragon tugboats
• Categories: Lake Erie Shipwrecks, Dredging & Industrial Vessels, Storm-Related Shipwrecks, 20th Century Maritime Losses, Ohio Maritime History
• Glossary Terms:
• Dredge Barge: A flat-bottomed vessel equipped with dredging equipment, used for deepening harbors and waterways.
• Squall: A sudden and intense windstorm, often occurring on the Great Lakes, leading to rapidly deteriorating sea conditions.
• Foundered: A vessel that has taken on water and sunk, typically due to storm conditions, Hull failure, or mechanical issues.