Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: Dixie
- Type: Dredge Scow
- Year Built: 1941
- Builder: Cheboygan, Michigan
- Dimensions: Length: 88 ft (26.8 m); Beam: 28 ft (8.5 m); Depth: 7 ft (2.1 m)
- Registered Tonnage: 152 tons
- Depth at Wreck Site: 13.1 m / 43 ft
- Location: East of Ashtabula, Ohio
- Coordinates: Approximately 3.8 miles at a bearing of 66 degrees from the Ashtabula East Breakwater Light
- Official Number: 175285
- Original Owners: Price Brothers of Toledo, Ohio
- Number of Masts: Unrigged
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
The Dixie was an unrigged wooden dredge scow, a type of flat-bottomed barge used primarily for dredging operations. These vessels were typically towed to their work sites and were not self-propelled.
Description
Constructed in 1941 in Cheboygan, Michigan, the Dixie measured 88 feet (26.8 meters) in length, with a beam of 28 feet (8.5 meters) and a depth of 7 feet (2.1 meters). The vessel had a gross and net tonnage of 152 tons. As an unrigged dredge scow, it was designed for use in dredging operations, likely equipped with machinery for excavating and removing sediment from the bottom of water bodies.
History
Owned by Price Brothers of Toledo, Ohio, the Dixie was employed in dredging operations on the Great Lakes. On December 4, 1964, while being towed by the tug Superior, the Dixie and the launch Surveyor became separated from the tug during a storm east of Ashtabula, Ohio. The vessels were unmanned at the time. The Coast Guard monitored the drifting Dixie for several days; however, the scow eventually rolled over and sank. The wreck lies in 43 feet (13.1 meters) of water, approximately 3.8 miles (6.1 kilometers) at a bearing of 66 degrees from the Ashtabula East Breakwater Light.
Significant Incidents
- December 4, 1964: The Dixie sank during a storm after becoming separated from the tug Superior.
Final Disposition
The Dixie was declared a total loss following its sinking. There are no records of salvage operations, and the wreck remains submerged at its final resting place.
Current Condition & Accessibility
The wreck of the Dixie lies in 43 feet (13.1 meters) of water, approximately 3.8 miles (6.1 kilometers) at a bearing of 66 degrees from the Ashtabula East Breakwater Light.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”dixie-us-175285″ title=”References & Links” show_ref_button=”yes”]
The loss of the Dixie in December 1964 underscores the hazards faced by non-self-propelled vessels operating on the Great Lakes, particularly during severe weather conditions. Despite being unmanned at the time, the incident highlights the importance of secure towing practices and vigilant monitoring during adverse weather. The Dixie’s wreck remains a point of interest for maritime historians and underscores the rich tapestry of Great Lakes shipping history.
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.
Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: Dixie
- Former Names: None
- Official Number: 175285
- Date Built: 1941
- Builder: Cheboygan, Michigan
- Dimensions: Length: 88 ft (26.8 m); Beam: 28 ft (8.5 m); Depth: 7 ft (2.1 m)
- Gross Tonnage: 152 tons
- Net Tonnage: 152 tons
- Date Lost: December 4, 1964
- Place of Loss: East of Ashtabula, Ohio
- Lake: Lake Erie
- Type of Loss: Storm
- Cargo: None (unmanned at time of loss)
- Loss of Life: None
- Home Port: Toledo, Ohio(Great Lakes Shipwreck Files, YouTube)
Vessel Type
The Dixie was an unrigged wooden dredge scow, a type of flat-bottomed barge used primarily for dredging operations. These vessels were typically towed to their work sites and were not self-propelled.
Description
Constructed in 1941 in Cheboygan, Michigan, the Dixie measured 88 feet (26.8 meters) in length, with a beam of 28 feet (8.5 meters) and a depth of 7 feet (2.1 meters). The vessel had a gross and net tonnage of 152 tons. As an unrigged dredge scow, it was designed for use in dredging operations, likely equipped with machinery for excavating and removing sediment from the bottom of water bodies.(Great Lakes Shipwreck Files)
History
Owned by Price Brothers of Toledo, Ohio, the Dixie was employed in dredging operations on the Great Lakes. On December 4, 1964, while being towed by the tug Superior, the Dixie and the launch Surveyor became separated from the tug during a storm east of Ashtabula, Ohio. The vessels were unmanned at the time. The Coast Guard monitored the drifting Dixie for several days; however, the scow eventually rolled over and sank. The wreck lies in 43 feet (13.1 meters) of water, approximately 3.8 miles (6.1 kilometers) at a bearing of 66 degrees from the Ashtabula East Breakwater Light. (Great Lakes Shipwreck Files)
Final Disposition
The Dixie was declared a total loss following its sinking. There are no records of salvage operations, and the wreck remains submerged at its final resting place.(Great Lakes Shipwreck Files)
Located By & Date Found
The wreck of the Dixie lies in 43 feet (13.1 meters) of water, approximately 3.8 miles (6.1 kilometers) at a bearing of 66 degrees from the Ashtabula East Breakwater Light. (Great Lakes Shipwreck Files)
Notmars & Advisories
There are no specific Notices to Mariners (Notmars) or advisories related to the wreck of the Dixie. However, mariners operating in the vicinity of the Ashtabula East Breakwater should be aware of submerged hazards and consult current nautical charts.
Resources & Links
Conclusion
The loss of the Dixie in December 1964 underscores the hazards faced by non-self-propelled vessels operating on the Great Lakes, particularly during severe weather conditions. Despite being unmanned at the time, the incident highlights the importance of secure towing practices and vigilant monitoring during adverse weather. The Dixie’s wreck remains a point of interest for maritime historians and underscores the rich tapestry of Great Lakes shipping history.
dixie-us-175285 1964-12-04 11:41:00