Shotline Diving

Connecting You to the Depths of the Great Lakes

Gravel King

Explore the wreck of Gravel King, a wooden sand-sucker from 1915, located in the Thunder Bay Ship Graveyard, offering insights into early 20th-century dredging operations.

Shotline Diving Wreck Profile

  • Name: Gravel King
  • Type: Wooden hull sand-sucker (industrial dredger)
  • Year Built: 1915
  • Builder: Chatham, Ontario
  • Dimensions: 84 × 25 ft; Beam; Depth of hold
  • Registered Tonnage: 81.6 gross tons
  • Location: Thunder Bay, Ontario

Wreck Location Map

Vessel Type

Gravel King is classified as a wooden hull sand-sucker, specifically designed for industrial dredging operations.

Description

Built in 1915, Gravel King was utilized for dredging purposes in southwestern Ontario ports. The vessel is now part of the Thunder Bay Ship Graveyard, where it lies as a derelict site.

History

The Gravel King was constructed during World War I to assist in cleaning and deepening harbor channels. It served operational functions until it was likely decommissioned in the mid-20th century.

Significant Incidents

  • Confirmed as Derelict No. 35 in 2004 sonar mapping.
  • Identified in 2007 ROV surveys as part of the Thunder Bay Ship Graveyard.

Final Disposition

The Gravel King was scuttled in the Thunder Bay dump grounds alongside other obsolete workboats, contributing to the area’s historical significance.

Current Condition & Accessibility

The wreck lies in moderately shallow water (20–50 ft), with expected preservation of its wooden structure and dredging equipment.

Resources & Links

Gravel King represents an important piece of industrial maritime heritage, now protected as part of a cultural resource group in the Thunder Bay area.