Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: Dispatch Boat #1
- Type: Service Craft
- Year Built: 1928
- Builder:
- Dimensions: Length X ft (Y m); Beam; Depth of hold
- Registered Tonnage: Not listed
- Location: Chicago, Illinois
- Official Number: Not available
- Original Owners: Great Lakes Dredge & Dock Company
- Number of Masts: None
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
Vessel Type
A small, un-numbered crew/support launch used in the Great Lakes Dredge & Dock Company’s support fleet.
Description
Description
Dispatch Boat #1 was designed for transporting personnel, parts, and possibly light cargo between dredging vessels, barges, and shore facilities.
History
History
Operational between 1928 and 1935, Dispatch Boat #1 was not listed in official U.S. vessel registries, indicating it was likely small and not inspected under federal registry. It would have been documented in internal GLDD fleet or yard logs, photographic records, or Chicago marine records.
Significant Incidents
Significant Incidents
- Possible fire in April 1935 that may have damaged or destroyed Dispatch Boat #1. No publicly available sources confirm this event.
Final Disposition
Final Disposition
The fate of Dispatch Boat #1 remains uncertain, with no public records confirming its specifications or the alleged fire incident.
Current Condition & Accessibility
Current Condition & Accessibility
As of now, Dispatch Boat #1 is not confirmed to exist in any accessible form, and further archival research is needed to uncover its fate.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”dispatch-boat-1″ title=”References & Links”]
Summary
Dispatch Boat #1 was a small service craft used by Great Lakes Dredge & Dock in Chicago, operational circa 1928–1935. Public records offer no confirmation of her specifications or fate, including the alleged April 1935 fire. Detailed archival searches, particularly within GLDD corporate records, are recommended for further investigation.
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.
Basic Details
- Designation: Dispatch Boat No. 1
- Service Period: Between 1928–1935 (as per user info)
- Owner/Operator: Great Lakes Dredge & Dock Company, Chicago
Role & Function
A small, un-numbered crew/support launch used in GLDD’s support fleet—meant for transporting personnel, parts, and possibly light cargo between dredging vessels, barges, and shore facilities.
Known Facts
- Not listed in official U.S. vessel registries with an official number—indicating it was likely small and not inspected under federal registry.
- Like other small dispatch boats at GLDD, it would have been documented in internal GLDD fleet or yard logs, photographic records, or Chicago marine records.
Possible Fire in April 1935?
The question suggests an April fire in 1935 damaged or destroyed Dispatch Boat #1. No publicly available sources (newspapers, company histories, vessel index) confirm this event. Major dredge incidents involving fires are occasionally covered in dredging trade publications or GLDD’s internal logs—but no hits for “Dispatch Boat 1” or similar.
Sources Checked
- Great Lakes Dredge & Dock corporate history and fleet profiles (no specifics on small numbered crew boats) (Great Lakes Dredge & Dock Company, LLC, Milwaukee Public Library)
- Tugboat fleet registries and dredge historical lists (no Dispatch Boat #1 entry)
- Search of newspapers, dredging periodicals, inspection reports—no references found
Research Recommendations
- GLDD Corporate Archives (e.g., at Bowling Green State University) for 1928–1935 fleet logs, incident reports, or photographic records (BGSU Library).
- Trade Publications (e.g., WorkBoat, The Dredge Report) – historical issues from 1935 may report smaller vessel losses.
- Chicago Maritime Records – municipal harbor logs, Coast Guard station logs, local newspapers (April 1935) could contain fire/damage notices.
- U.S. Coast Guard District Logs – logs from Chicago stations might note small craft incidents.
Summary
Dispatch Boat #1 was a small service craft used by Great Lakes Dredge & Dock in Chicago, operational circa 1928–1935. Public records offer no public confirmation of her specifications or fate, including the alleged April 1935 fire. To resolve her story definitively, detailed archival searches—particularly within GLDD corporate records—are the most promising next step.
Would you like assistance accessing these archives, identifying relevant trade journal issues, or searching Chicago newspaper databases from April 1935?
dispatch-boat-1 1935-04-18 10:38:00