Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: DREDGE No. 4
- Type: Dredge Barge
- Year Built:
- Builder: Unknown
- Dimensions: Unknown
- Registered Tonnage:
- Location: Off Lorain, Ohio, Lake Erie
- Official Number: Unknown
- Original Owners: Unknown
- Number of Masts: Unknown
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
Dredge Barge (Non-Self-Propelled)
Description
The DREDGE No. 4 was a dredge barge, a non-self-propelled work vessel used for excavating and deepening waterways. She was being towed between dredging sites when she met her fate.
At the time of her loss, she was being towed by the tugs PETE GORMAN and DRAGON, likely moving between harbour projects along the Ohio coastline of Lake Erie.
History
On September 26, 1900, while under tow off Lorain, Ohio, DREDGE No. 4 sprang a leak forward during a sudden squall. The inrush of water was uncontrollable, and the dredge quickly foundered and sank.
Her four-man crew was rescued by the tugs, ensuring no loss of life, but the vessel was declared a total loss.
Due to limited documentation, it is unclear whether the wreck was ever recovered. Some sources suggest that this vessel could be the same as another dredge named “NO. 4”, but no records confirm if they were ever salvaged.
Significant Incidents
- September 26, 1900: Sprang a leak and sank off Lorain, Ohio, during a squall.
- Crew rescued: 4 saved by tugs PETE GORMAN and DRAGON.
- Declared a total loss.
- No record of recovery.
Final Disposition
Sprang a leak and sank off Lorain, Ohio, on September 26, 1900, during a squall.
Current Condition & Accessibility
Nil—there are no confirmed reports of DREDGE No. 4‘s wreck being found or salvaged.
Nil—no current navigational advisories related to DREDGE No. 4‘s wreck site.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”dredge-4″ title=”References & Links”]
The DREDGE No. 4 is one of many Great Lakes work vessels lost due to storms, a testament to the risks faced even by industrial dredging crews. Although her crew survived, the vessel itself was never recovered, leaving her final resting place unknown.
With little documentation on her size, construction, or ownership, DREDGE No. 4 remains an obscure but important piece of Ohio’s maritime history. If her wreck were located, it could provide valuable insight into turn-of-the-century dredging operations in Lake Erie.
Full Wreck Record — complete historical article, construction details, voyage logs, incident reports, dive conditions, and all research sources.
Join Shotline to read more →