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.
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.
Breymann & Bros. Dredge
Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Official Number: 41 899
- Vessel Type: Wooden dredge barge (floating plant)
- In Tow: Tugs Goldsmith and Marinette accompanied by three scows
- Date of Loss: September 3, 1899
- Location: Approximately 5 miles west of Lorain, Ohio, Lake Erie
(Great Lakes Shipwreck Files)
Circumstances of Loss
While being towed across open water, the dredge was caught in a sudden, severe storm. The unsteady seas overwhelmed the floating vessel; it capsized, lost its three‑person crew overboard, and sank rapidly. Luck was on their side—rescue tug crews pulled all hands to safety.
(Great Lakes Shipwreck Files)
Final Disposition
Declared a constructive total loss, with an insured value of approximately $50,000. The dredge and its scows remain unrecovered.
(Great Lakes Shipwreck Files)
Casualties
- Crew: 3 – all rescued by tugs; no loss of life
(Great Lakes Shipwreck Files)
Vessel Details
- Ownership: C. H. Breymann & Bros., Toledo, Ohio
- Role: Part of dredging operations, likely for harbor or navigational maintenance
(Great Lakes Shipwreck Files, Wisconsin Shipwrecks)
Context & Significance
Dredge No. 4 represents the vulnerability of floating work platforms when transiting open waters. Its loss underscores the inherent risk of towing large, unpowered vessels during storms at the turn of the 20th century.
Research Opportunities
- Historic Newspapers: Ohio-area papers (e.g., Lorain Journal) around September 1899 may offer eye‑witness reports or storm details.
- Company Records: Breymann & Bros. archives (if extant) or insurance documentation could reveal construction specs and financial records.
- USACE or Harbor Authority Logs: Potential data on dredge construction, employment, or route logs.
Summary
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Type | Wooden dredge barge in tow |
| Loss Date | September 3, 1899 |
| Cause | Capsize in storm |
| Location | 5 mi west of Lorain, Lake Erie |
| Crew | 3, all rescued |
| Disposition | Constructive total loss |