SAND MERCHANT C153443

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Wreck Name: Sand Merchant
Type: Self-Unloading Sandsucker Dredge
Date of Incident: October 17, 1936
Location: Avon Point, Lake Erie
Coordinates: 41° 34.428′ N, 81° 57.524′ W
Depth: 65 feet (22 meters)
Condition: The wreck is upside down in the mud with a deep trench around it. The propeller and rudder are pointing northwest, and there is a significant debris field to the west of the wreck.

VESSEL TYPE DESCRIPTION #

The Sand Merchant was a self-unloading sandsucker dredge built in 1927 at Collingwood Shipyards in Collingwood, Ontario, Canada. It featured a steel hull and was designed for dredging operations, primarily to extract and transport sand. The vessel was equipped with a screw propulsion system.

The dimensions of the Sand Merchant were as follows:

Length: 252 feet
Beam (Width): 43 feet
Depth: 17 feet
Gross Tonnage: 1981 tons

The Sand Merchant was owned by the International Transportation Co Ltd and was one of the many dredges operating on the Great Lakes during its time.

HISTORY #

The Sand Merchant served for nearly a decade in dredging operations before meeting its tragic end:

1927: The vessel was built at Collingwood Shipyards and launched to serve in dredging operations on the Great Lakes. Its design allowed it to efficiently extract and transport sand from the lakebed.
October 17, 1936: The Sand Merchant foundered and sank off Avon, Ohio, in Lake Erie. The exact circumstances leading to the sinking are not detailed, but the vessel ended up upside down on the lakebed.

FINAL DISPOSITION #

The Sand Merchant lies upside down in the mud at a depth of 65 feet. The wreck is surrounded by a deep trench, which poses risks to divers due to the potential for mud collapse and the difficulty of navigating within the wreck. The suction pipe and dredge framework are located off the starboard side of the wreck. A large debris field is situated to the west, containing various ship parts, including the unloading boom, spotlight, and whistle, as well as sand piles.

The wreck was never salvaged and remains at the site where it sank.

NOTMARs & ADVISORIES #

No current Notices to Mariners (NOTMARs) specifically related to this wreck site have been issued. However, divers are advised to exercise extreme caution when exploring the wreck due to the unstable conditions and potential hazards posed by the mud and debris.

LOCATED BY & DATE #

The wreck of the Sand Merchant was located in the years following its sinking. It is a known site among local divers and maritime historians, with coordinates and details well-documented.

CURRENT CONDITION & ACCESSIBILITY #

The Sand Merchant lies in 65 feet of water, making it accessible to experienced divers. The wreck is in a precarious position, lying upside down with a trench surrounding it. The debris field to the west of the wreck offers additional exploration opportunities, though caution is necessary due to the unstable environment.

RESOURCES & LINKS #

Primary Sources: Historical records, maritime logs, and vessel documentation.
Further Reading:

CONCLUSION #

The Sand Merchant was a significant vessel in Great Lakes dredging operations before its untimely sinking in 1936. The wreck, lying upside down off Avon Point, remains a challenging site for divers, with the surrounding trench and debris field adding to the risks. Despite these dangers, the wreck serves as a poignant reminder of the hazards faced by vessels engaged in industrial operations on the Great Lakes.