Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: Fitz Simons & Connell Dredge No. 6 (commonly called Dredge No. 6, sometimes misread as “906”
- Type: Crane dredge barge; non-self-propelled
- Year Built: 1912 (or possibly 1913)
- Builder: Herman A. Greling (Manitowoc Marine Group)
- Dimensions: 110 ft length × 39.6 ft beam × 11.4 ft depth; gross tonnage ~686 tons
- Registered Tonnage: ~686 tons
- Depth at Wreck Site: 22.86 m / 75 ft
- Location: Lake Michigan, about 6–6.5 miles southeast of Milwaukee, Wisconsin
- Coordinates: N 42° 58.106', W 087° 47.209'
- Original Owners: Fitz Simons & Connell Dredge & Dock Co.
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
The Fitz Simons & Connell Dredge No. 6 is classified as a crane dredge barge, specifically designed for use in sheltered waters and not intended for open-lake towing operations.
Description
This vessel was constructed in 1912 (or possibly 1913) in the Green Bay/Manitowoc area by Herman A. Greling of the Manitowoc Marine Group. It features a steel hull with a wooden superstructure and measures 110 feet in length, 39.6 feet in beam, and 11.4 feet in depth.
History
Owned by Fitz Simons & Connell Dredge & Dock Co., based in New York, the dredge was utilized primarily as a floating crane to maintain harbors and power plant intake channels. It was equipped with a Bucyrus dipper-crane boom, which was suitable for its intended operations.
Significant Incidents
- Date: May 23, 1956
- Commanding Officer: Captain Martin Walsh
- While being towed by the tug E. James Fucik from Oak Creek toward Milwaukee Harbor, the dredge encountered 55 mph winds.
- The vessel began taking on water and listing; a guy wire supporting the dipper boom parted, leading to capsizing and sinking.
- Of the 19 crew members aboard, nine died, many by drowning; the tug crew rescued 13 survivors, three of whom later succumbed.
- A U.S. Coast Guard investigation found Captain Walsh at fault for not transferring crew ashore earlier and for towing the dredge in unsafe weather conditions.
Final Disposition
The Dredge No. 6 now lies upside-down at approximately 75 feet deep, with the hull at around 35 feet. The wreck is marked by a Wisconsin Historical Society shipwreck mooring buoy and is commonly accessed as a mid-depth dive site for advanced recreational divers.
Current Condition & Accessibility
The wreck is in an upside-down position, with massive crane, boiler, and dredging machinery visible. The site offers underwater penetration opportunities under the overturned structure, but overhead hazards necessitate advanced training for divers.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”fitz-simons-connell-dredge-no-6-dredge-no-6-906″ title=”References & Links”]
The Fitz Simons & Connell Dredge No. 6 serves as a significant maritime hazard, highlighting the dangers of towing non-seaworthy vessels in severe weather. It holds historical and archaeological value, providing insight into early 20th-century dredging technology and remains a popular dive site among recreational divers.
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
- Vessel Name: Fitz Simons & Connell Dredge No. 6 (commonly called Dredge No. 6, sometimes misread as “906”) (Wisconsin Shipwrecks)
- Year Built: 1912 (or possibly 1913) at Green Bay / Manitowoc area by Herman A. Greling (Manitowoc Marine Group) (Wisconsin Shipwrecks)
- Vessel Type: Crane dredge barge; non‑self‑propelled (Wisconsin Shipwrecks)
- Dimensions: 110 ft length × 39.6 ft beam × 11.4 ft depth; gross tonnage ~686 tons; steel hull with wooden superstructure (Wisconsin Shipwrecks)
- Final Location: Lake Michigan, about 6–6.5 miles southeast of Milwaukee, Wisconsin; coordinates ~N 42° 58.106′, W 087° 47.209′ (Wisconsin Shipwrecks)
Vessel History & Configuration
- Owned by Fitz Simons & Connell Dredge & Dock Co., New York operator; used as a floating crane dredge to maintain harbors and power plant intake channels (Wisconsin Shipwrecks)
- Equipped with a Bucyrus dipper-crane boom; intended for sheltered waters — not open-lake towing operations (Wisconsin Shipwrecks)
Final Voyage & Loss
- Date: May 23, 1956
- Commanding Officer: Captain Martin Walsh
- While being towed by the tug E. James Fucik from Oak Creek toward Milwaukee Harbor amid approaching storm, encountered 55 mph winds (Wisconsin Shipwrecks)
- The dredge began shipping water and listing; a guy wire supporting the dipper boom parted, causing capsizing and sinking of the vessel (Wisconsin Shipwrecks)
- Of 19 crew aboard, nine died, many by drowning; tug crew rescued 13 survivors, of whom three later succumbed (Wisconsin Shipwrecks, shipwreckexplorers.com)
- A U.S. Coast Guard investigation faulted Captain Walsh for not transferring crew ashore earlier and for towing the dredge in unsafe weather (Wisconsin Shipwrecks)
Wreck Discovery & Dive Site
- Now lies upside‑down at about 75 ft depth (hull at ~35 ft), with massive crane, boiler, and dredging machinery visible (Wisconsin Shipwrecks)
- Marked by a Wisconsin Historical Society shipwreck mooring buoy; commonly accessed as a mid‑depth dive site for advanced recreational divers (Wisconsin Shipwrecks)
- Site features underwater penetration opportunities under the overturned structure; overhead hazards require advanced training (diveaai.com)
Significance
- Maritime hazard: Highlights the dangers of towing non‑sea‑worthy rigs in severe weather — resulting in significant loss of life
- Historical and archaeological value: The intact machinery and crane make Dredge No. 6 a valuable industrial wreck, offering insight into early 20th‑century dredging technology and marine salvage
- Popular dive site: Among Milwaukee’s most frequently visited wrecks outside of traditional ship losses — significant for both recreational diving and historical interpretation
Resources & Links
- Wisconsin Shipwrecks: Fitz Simons & Connell Dredge No. 6 – Detailed wreck record with chart, photos, and dive info (diveaai.com, Wisconsin Shipwrecks, Wisconsin Shipwrecks)
- Shipwreck Explorers article: Historical overview of the vessel, sinking, and operational context (shipwreckexplorers.com)
- U.S. Coast Guard Investigation Report (Dredge 906): Official inquiry into sinking events and causes (United States Coast Guard)
- Grab Dredgers / Dredgepoint: Vessel build details, dates, and sinking summary (dredgepoint.org)
- Aquatic Adventures / AJ Dive Charters: Dive site logistics, depth profile, and hazards noted by local operators (diveaai.com)
Summary Table
| Topic | Details |
|---|---|
| Name | Fitz Simons & Connell Dredge No. 6 (aka Dredge No. 6 or “906”) |
| Type | Steel-hulled crane dredge barge (non‑self‑propelled) |
| Built | 1912 (Green Bay / Manitowoc) |
| Dimensions | 110 × 39.6 × 11.4 ft; ~686 GT |
| Lost | May 23 1956; capsized off Milwaukee while under tow |
| Crew | 19 aboard; 9 fatalities |
| Wreck Location | ~6 mi SE of Milwaukee, Lake Michigan; ~75 ft depth |
| Wreck Condition | Upside-down; crane, boiler, machinery intact |
| Dive Status | Public dive site; mooring buoy present |