Shotline Diving

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Great Lakes Research Archive

Shotline Wreck Record

Construction Cranes with Barge

Explore the unique underwater site of construction equipment in Lake Erie, featuring an upright excavator and scattered machinery from the 1990s.

Shotline Diving Wreck Profile

  • Name: Construction Cranes with Barge
  • Type: Construction Equipment
  • Year Built:
  • Builder:
  • Dimensions: 100 ft X 35 ft (30.5 m X 10.7 m); Beam; Depth of hold
  • Registered Tonnage:
  • Depth at Wreck Site: 16.5 m / 54 ft
  • Location: 35.4 miles at 7T from Conneaut Harbor, Ohio; 20 miles at 120T from Port Burwell, Ontario
  • Coordinates: 42° 29.750′ N, 80° 27.956′ W
  • Original Owners: Dash Construction

Wreck Location Map

Vessel Type

Vessel Type: This underwater site consists of various construction equipment, including two Kohring construction excavators, a diesel generator, and parts of a barge house.

Description

The site features two Kohring construction excavators, one of which is upright with its arm extending 25 feet above the lake bottom, while the second is partially resting on a Caterpillar loader that lies on its side. Additionally, there is a diesel generator and parts of a barge house, including a ceiling-mounted structure with four motors. The wreckage is spread over a sandy bottom, occupying an area approximately 100 feet by 35 feet.

History

The exact events leading to the submersion of this construction equipment remain a mystery. The items belonged to Dash Construction, but no records or reports clarify how or why they ended up on the bottom of Lake Erie. The site is believed to have been created sometime in the 1990s, though the specific date of the sinking is unknown. Despite its recent origins, the wreck has drawn significant interest due to its unusual contents and their unexpected placement on the lake floor.

Significant Incidents

  • The site was discovered by Georgian and Mike Wachter using information provided by Mary Howard. The exact date of the discovery is not documented.

Final Disposition

Notable Features: The upright excavator is a striking feature, its arm rising dramatically from the bottom. The barge house components, including a ceiling-mounted motor structure, are positioned upside down, adding to the mystery and intrigue. A doorway from the barge house extends six feet above the lake bottom. These elements combine to create a surreal and unique underwater environment.

Current Condition & Accessibility

Condition: The wreckage remains stable, with the machinery largely intact, though scattered and partially buried in sand.

Accessibility: The 54-foot depth makes this an excellent site for recreational divers. Visibility may vary based on local sediment conditions, but the site is accessible to divers of most experience levels.

Resources & Links

[shotline_reference_links slug=”construction-cranes-with-barge” title=”References & Links” show_ref_button=”yes”]

The Construction Cranes with Barge site in Lake Erie is a unique dive experience and a lingering mystery in Great Lakes maritime history. Featuring industrial equipment unexpectedly sunk in the 1990s, the site offers both a striking visual environment and a compelling enigma for maritime researchers and diving enthusiasts. Its upright excavator and scattered machinery make it one of the most unusual wrecks in the Great Lakes.

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: Construction Cranes with Barge
  • Type: Construction Equipment
  • Coordinates:
  • Location:
    • 35.4 miles at 7T from Conneaut Harbor, Ohio
    • 20 miles at 120T from Port Burwell, Ontario
  • Depth: 54 feet (16.5 meters)
  • Orientation: Lies East/West
  • Vessel Type Description
    • This underwater site consists of various construction equipment, including:
  • Two Kohring construction excavators:
    • One upright with its arm extending 25 feet above the lake bottom.
    • The second partially resting on a Caterpillar loader that lies on its side.
  • A diesel generator.
  • Parts of a barge house, including a ceiling-mounted structure with four motors.
  • The wreckage is spread over a sandy bottom, occupying an area approximately 100 feet by 35 feet.

History

The exact events leading to the submersion of this construction equipment remain a mystery. The items belonged to Dash Construction, but no records or reports clarify how or why they ended up on the bottom of Lake Erie. The site is believed to have been created sometime in the 1990s, though the specific date of the sinking is unknown.

Despite its recent origins, the wreck has drawn significant interest due to its unusual contents and their unexpected placement on the lake floor.

Final Disposition

Notable Features:

  • The upright excavator is a striking feature, its arm rising dramatically from the bottom.
  • The barge house components, including a ceiling-mounted motor structure, are positioned upside down, adding to the mystery and intrigue.
  • A doorway from the barge house extends six feet above the lake bottom.

These elements combine to create a surreal and unique underwater environment.

Notices to Mariners (NOTMARs)

There are no specific Notices to Mariners associated with this site. However, mariners should remain cautious in the vicinity due to the scattered wreckage and the relatively shallow depth.

Located By & Date

  • The site was discovered by Georgian and Mike Wachter using information provided by Mary Howard.
  • The exact date of the discovery is not documented.

Current Condition & Accessibility

Condition: The wreckage remains stable, with the machinery largely intact, though scattered and partially buried in sand.

Accessibility:

  • The 54-foot depth makes this an excellent site for recreational divers.
  • Visibility may vary based on local sediment conditions, but the site is accessible to divers of most experience levels.

Dive Highlights:

  • The upright excavator provides an excellent photo opportunity.
  • The unusual layout of the equipment creates a unique dive environment, making this site memorable for its mystery and industrial aesthetic.

Historical Significance

The Construction Cranes with Barge site offers a rare glimpse into submerged industrial equipment, representing an unusual type of “shipwreck.” Its unknown history adds an element of intrigue, inviting both divers and researchers to explore and uncover its secrets. The site’s surreal underwater landscape is a testament to human interaction with the Great Lakes, even in unconventional ways.

Resources & Links

  • David Swayze Shipwreck File: Database for Great Lakes wrecks.
  • Bowling Green State University Archives: Historical maritime records.
  • Maritime History of the Great Lakes: maritimehistoryofthegreatlakes.ca.
  • Great Lakes Ships 3D Model Collection: Resources for visual exploration of wreck sites.

Conclusion

The Construction Cranes with Barge site in Lake Erie is a unique dive experience and a lingering mystery in Great Lakes maritime history. Featuring industrial equipment unexpectedly sunk in the 1990s, the site offers both a striking visual environment and a compelling enigma for maritime researchers and diving enthusiasts. Its upright excavator and scattered machinery make it one of the most unusual wrecks in the Great Lakes.

Tags:

#ConstructionWreck #LakeErie #GreatLakesShipwrecks #IndustrialDiving #MaritimeMystery #DashConstruction #DiveLakeErie

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