The Mysterious Loss of the Dudley (1934)

Identification & Site Information

• Name: Dudley
• Official Number: 170472
• Vessel Type: Wood Dredge Vessel
• Hull Material: Wood
• Number of Decks: 1
• Built By: Unknown shipbuilder
• Year Built: 1926
• Built At: Miami, Florida (uncertain)
• Registry: United States
• Measurements Length: 60 ft (18.3 m) Beam: 26 ft (7.9 m)Depth: 6 ft (1.8 m)
• Tonnage: 95 Gross Tonnage, 95 Net Tonnage

Vessel Type & Description

The Dudley was a small wooden-hulled Dredge vessel, likely built for government or commercial use in dredging operations. It was originally registered out of Miami, Florida, in 1934, though it is unclear how and why it ended up in the Great Lakes region.

With a relatively small size and shallow Draft, the Dudley was well-suited for harbor and river dredging rather than deep-water operations. Its presence on Lake Huron remains a mystery, as no known major dredging projects in the region were linked to the vessel at the time of its loss.

Final Voyage & Disaster

• Date of Loss: November 3, 1934
• Location: Off Au Sable Pierhead Light, near Oscoda, Michigan
• Cause of Loss: Unknown (possibly storm or mechanical failure)
• Loss of Life: Unknown
• Cargo: None

The Foundering

The Dudley was lost in unknown circumstances near the Au Sable Pierhead Light off Oscoda, Michigan, in Lake Huron. The details surrounding its final voyage are scarce, but the vessel Foundered and sank.

Aftermath & Investigation

Very little documentation exists regarding the fate of the Dudley after its loss. No major salvage attempts were recorded, and no significant wreckage has been located.

🔥 Possible Theories for Its Sinking:

1. Structural Failure – A wooden vessel built for shallow water work may not have been structurally sound for deep-water conditions on Lake Huron.
2. Severe Weather – November storms on the Great Lakes are notorious for causing shipwrecks, and the Dudley may have been caught in a sudden squall.
3. Mechanical Issues – As a Dredge vessel, it may have experienced a failure that led to flooding and eventual sinking.

Legacy & Historical Significance

While the Dudley is not one of the most well-known Great Lakes shipwrecks, its mystery and lack of records make it a compelling case. If located, the wreck could provide insights into lesser-known dredging operations and vessel movements on the Great Lakes during the early 20th century.

Resources & Links

• Maritime History of the Great Lakes Database
• David Swayze Shipwreck File
• NOAA Great Lakes Wreck Database

Conclusion

The Dudley remains a largely forgotten shipwreck, with uncertain origins and an unexplained loss. Whether due to a violent storm, mechanical failure, or structural weakness, its final moments are still a mystery. With no wreck discovered yet, Lake Huron may still hold the secrets of this small but intriguing Dredge vessel.

Keywords & Categories 🚢 Dudley shipwreck🌊 Lake Huron wrecks⚓ Lost Dredge vessel 💀 Unsolved shipwrecks 🔎 Maritime mysteries 📜 Great Lakes shipwreck history