Dredge No. 4

Explore the wreck of Dredge No. 4, a wooden dredge barge that capsized in a storm on Lake Erie in 1899, with all crew rescued.

Shotline Diving Wreck Profile

  • Name: Dredge No. 4
  • Type: Wooden dredge barge (floating plant)
  • Year Built:
  • Builder:
  • Dimensions:
  • Registered Tonnage:
  • Location: Approximately 5 miles west of Lorain, Ohio, Lake Erie
  • Official Number: 41 899
  • Original Owners: C. H. Breymann & Bros., Toledo, Ohio

Wreck Location Map

Vessel Type

Vessel Type

Wooden dredge barge (floating plant)

Description

Description

Dredge No. 4 was a wooden dredge barge utilized for dredging operations, likely for harbor or navigational maintenance.

History

History

Owned by C. H. Breymann & Bros. of Toledo, Ohio, Dredge No. 4 was part of dredging operations in the late 19th century.

Significant Incidents

Significant Incidents

  • On September 3, 1899, while being towed across open water, Dredge No. 4 was caught in a sudden, severe storm, leading to its capsizing and sinking.

Final Disposition

Final Disposition

The dredge was declared a constructive total loss, with an insured value of approximately $50,000. The vessel and its scows remain unrecovered.

Current Condition & Accessibility

Current Condition & Accessibility

The wreck of Dredge No. 4 is currently unrecovered and remains on the lakebed.

Resources & Links

[shotline_reference_links slug=”dredge-no-4″ title=”References & Links”]

Summary

Dredge No. 4 represents the vulnerability of floating work platforms when transiting open waters, highlighting the risks associated with towing large, unpowered vessels during storms at the turn of the 20th century.

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Full Wreck Record — complete historical article, construction details, voyage logs, incident reports, dive conditions, and all research sources.

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