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
[shotline_reference_links slug=”gravel-king” title=”References & 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.
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.
Gravel King (Wooden Sand‑Sucker, built 1915) – Thunder Bay Dump Site (Derelict ID No. 35)
Registry & Technical Specifications
- Built: 1915, Chatham, Ontario
- Type: Wooden hull sand-sucker (industrial dredger)
- Dimensions: 84 × 25 ft; approx. 81.6 gross tons
- Registry Port: Chatham, ON
- Next Steps:
- Submit request to Chatham–Kent Museum or Ontario Vessel Archives for registry documentation and builder info.
- Confirm official registry identifiers (deck/engine logs, serial numbers).
Archival Newspaper Research
Suggested search queries for regional papers such as Chatham Daily News, Windsor Star, and Thunder Bay Chronicle-Journal:
- Launch & Construction:
"Gravel King" sand sucker Chatham 1915 launched - Operational Details:
"Gravel King" dredge Chatham harbor operations - Disposition Event:
"Gravel King" wreck Thunder Bay
These are likely to yield launch announcements, dredge history, or dump-site mention during harbor expansions.
Dive‑Site Documentation & Context
- Located in 2004 sonar mapping and confirmed in 2007 ROV surveys as Derelict No. 35, the sand‑sucker forms part of the Thunder Bay “Ship Graveyard” preservation area (Academia).
- Sonar data show section outlines; acoustic logs indicate machinery features consistent with dredge design (Academia).
- Wreck lies in moderately shallow water (20–50 ft), with expected preservation of wooden structure and dredging equipment.
Heritage Narrative Outline
Gravel King offers a compelling story across four thematic chapters:
- Birth in Chatham (1915) – Built during WWI-era industrial expansion to clean and deepen harbor channels.
- Operational Life – Served dredging functions in southwestern Ontario ports until likely decommissioned in the mid-20th century.
- Final Rest – Scuttled in Thunder Bay dump grounds alongside other obsolete workboats.
- Underwater Legacy – Now part of a protected cultural resource group, uniquely representing industrial maritime heritage.
5. Next Steps
- [ ] Registry request to Chatham archives for official records
- [ ] Archive search in regional newspapers using tracked keywords
- [ ] Dive & ROV data request to Thunder Bay NMS for ID No. 35 logs
- [ ] Draft final heritage profile to integrate registry, archival, and site data
Additional Context
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Wreck Group | Part of Parks Canada-confirmed ship graveyard near Thunder Bay (Academia, en.wikipedia.org, en.wikipedia.org) |
| Archaeological Value | Represented as a Level 2 heritage resource in marine archaeology (Academia) |
| Comparative Significance | One of the few preserved early 20th‑century dredging vessels |