Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: Unknown (often referred to as “Dump Scow”)
- Type: Dump Scow (Utility Barge)
- Year Built: Estimated late 19th to early 20th century
- Builder: Unknown
- Dimensions: Estimated length 50-80 ft (15-25 m); Beam; Depth of hold
- Registered Tonnage: Nil
- Location: 300 feet south of the Blue Water Bridge, St. Clair River
- Coordinates: 43.0042, -82.4210
- Official Number: Nil
- Original Owners: Nil
- Number of Masts: Nil
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
Dump Scow (Utility Barge)
Description
Dump scows are flat-bottomed, unpowered barges commonly used for dredging and material disposal. They typically feature split hulls or opening bottoms to allow quick release of sediment or rock. Scows like this were instrumental in early 20th-century navigation and riverbed work, especially in shipping routes like the St. Clair River, which connects Lake Huron to Lake St. Clair and is a vital link in the Great Lakes–St. Lawrence Seaway.
The vessel was reportedly lost 300 feet (91.4 metres) south of the Blue Water Bridge in the St. Clair River. While undocumented in major wreck registries, its location near a critical crossing suggests it may be known to local divers or marine traffic authorities.
History
The vessel’s construction details remain largely unknown, with estimates placing its build in the late 19th to early 20th century. It served as a dump scow, a type of utility barge used primarily for dredging operations.
Significant Incidents
- The vessel foundered and likely remains on the riverbed.
- There is no known salvage record.
Final Disposition
The vessel foundered and likely remains on the riverbed. Due to strong river currents and depth variations, the wreck could have been buried or shifted by sediment and vessel wake.
Current Condition & Accessibility
The wreck is not charted on NOAA or CHS (Canadian Hydrographic Service) maps. Proximity to the Blue Water Bridge and international shipping lane suggests potential for underwater obstruction warnings. Divers should check current marine advisories for this location and be aware of strong currents and visibility challenges in the St. Clair River.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”blue-water-bridge-dump-scow” title=”References & Links”]
Despite its uncertain history and lack of documentation, the Blue Water Bridge Dump Scow represents an important aspect of the maritime operations in the Great Lakes region. Local divers may have knowledge of its exact location and condition.
Legacy Notes & Full Historical Record
This section preserves the original unedited Shotline content for this wreck so that no historical detail is lost as we transition to the new logbook format.
Identification & Site Information
- Name: Unknown (often referred to as “Dump Scow”)
- Former Names: Nil
- Registration Number(s): Nil
- Date Built & Launched: Unknown, estimated late 19th to early 20th century
- Measurements: Estimated length 15–25 m (50–80 ft) typical of dump scows in dredging operations
- Date Lost: Unknown, likely early to mid-20th century
Vessel Type
Dump Scow (Utility Barge)
Description
Dump scows are flat-bottomed, unpowered barges commonly used for dredging and material disposal. They typically feature split hulls or opening bottoms to allow quick release of sediment or rock. Scows like this were instrumental in early 20th-century navigation and riverbed work, especially in shipping routes like the St. Clair River, which connects Lake Huron to Lake St. Clair and is a vital link in the Great Lakes–St. Lawrence Seaway.
The vessel was reportedly lost 300 feet (91.4 metres) south of the Blue Water Bridge in the St. Clair River. While undocumented in major wreck registries, its location near a critical crossing suggests it may be known to local divers or marine traffic authorities.
Final Disposition
The vessel foundered and likely remains on the riverbed. Due to strong river currents and depth variations, the wreck could have been buried or shifted by sediment and vessel wake. There is no known salvage record.
Located By & Date Found
Nil – No official record of discovery.
NOTMARs & Advisories
The wreck is not charted on NOAA or CHS (Canadian Hydrographic Service) maps.
Proximity to Blue Water Bridge and international shipping lane suggests potential for underwater obstruction warnings.
Divers should check current marine advisories for this location and be aware of strong currents and visibility challenges in the St. Clair River.