Shotline Diving

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Great Lakes Research Archive

Shotline Wreck Record

H. Dahlke US 205145

Explore the wreck of H. Dahlke, a self-unloading sandsucker that capsized in 1938, showcasing the challenges of cargo stability in Great Lakes shipping.

Shotline Diving Wreck Profile

  • Name: H. Dahlke
  • Type: Steel-hulled self-unloading sandsucker (propeller-driven)
  • Year Built: 1907
  • Builder: Manitowoc Dry Dock Co., Manitowoc, Wisconsin
  • Dimensions: 142 × 34 × 10 ft; 442 GRT / 374 NRT
  • Registered Tonnage: 442 GRT / 374 NRT
  • Location: Sandwich, Ontario
  • Official Number: 205145

Wreck Location Map

Vessel Type

Steel-hulled self-unloading sandsucker (propeller-driven)

Description

Originally constructed as a bulk freighter, H. Dahlke was refitted in 1911 for self-unloading sand operations, a relatively early example of this technology on the Great Lakes.

History

H. Dahlke was built in 1907 by Manitowoc Dry Dock Co. and converted from a regular bulk freighter to a sandsucker in 1911. This conversion marked a significant advancement in cargo handling technology on the Great Lakes.

Significant Incidents

  • While docked in Sandwich (present-day Windsor, Ontario), unloading a cargo of clay, the vessel suffered a cargo shift, destabilizing her.
  • As a result, H. Dahlke capsized and sank at the dock—but all crew were spared; there were no casualties.
  • The ship was considered a total loss, though was later refloated, sold off the lakes, and converted into a “banana boat” (likely transporting fruit).

Final Disposition

The vessel was salvaged and converted for continued service post-recovery; no remains lie at the site.

Current Condition & Accessibility

There are no archaeological wreck remains at the site, as the vessel was salvaged and repurposed.

Resources & Links

[shotline_reference_links slug=”h-dahlke-us-205145″ title=”References & Links”]

H. Dahlke illustrates the critical impact of cargo stability in self-unloading freighters, highlighting the inherent design risks even when docked. Her recovery and conversion after sinking demonstrate resourcefulness in mid-20th-century Great Lakes shipping.

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.

Identification & Vessel Details

  • Name: H. Dahlke
  • Official Number: 205145
  • Type: Steel-hulled self-unloading sandsucker (propeller-driven)
  • Built: 1907 by Manitowoc Dry Dock Co., Manitowoc, Wisconsin
  • Dimensions: 142 × 34 × 10 ft; 442 GRT / 374 NRT
  • Conversion: Converted from a regular bulk freighter to a sandsucker in 1911
    (Great Lakes Shipwreck Files)

Operational Use

Originally constructed as a bulk freighter, H. Dahlke was refitted in 1911 for self-unloading sand operations, a relatively early example of this technology on the Great Lakes
(Great Lakes Shipwreck Files).

Final Incident & Sinking – December 22, 1938, Sandwich, Ontario

  • While docked in Sandwich (present-day Windsor, Ontario), unloading a cargo of clay, the vessel suffered a cargo shift, destabilizing her.
  • As a result, H. Dahlke capsized and sank at the dock—but all crew were spared; there were no casualties
    (Great Lakes Shipwreck Files).
  • The ship was considered a total loss, though was later refloated, sold off the lakes, and converted into a “banana boat” (likely transporting fruit)
    (Great Lakes Shipwreck Files).

Wreck Site & Fate

  • Location: Sandwich, Ontario
  • Sinking Style: Dock sinking; controlled salvage operation recovered the hull later.
  • Final Disposition: Converted for continued service post-recovery; no remains lie at site.

Sources & Archival Citations

  • Great Lakes Shipwreck Files (“D” section) – technical specs, cargo-shift cause, dock sinking, no loss of life, salvage and repurposing outcome
    (Great Lakes Shipwreck Files)

Further Research Opportunities

Research FocusRecommended Next Steps
Salvage & Conversion HistoryInvestigate Canadian Maritime Commission or USSB salvage records post‑1938
Cargo Shift ReportReview dockside accident filings or port authority logs in Sandwich for December 1938
Hull ModificationsCompare pre- and post-conversion drafts to document structural changes for “banana boat” service
Photographic DocumentationSeek period images in Manitowoc shipyard or Sandwich newspapers showing sinking and salvage operations

Significance

H. Dahlke illustrates the critical impact of cargo stability in self-unloading freighters, highlighting the inherent design risks even when docked. Her recovery and conversion after sinking demonstrate resourcefulness in mid-20th-century Great Lakes shipping. While no archaeological wreck remains exist in situ, technical and historical insights into cargo-handling practices, salvage procedures, and fleet adaptation can be gained from this case.

h-dahlke-us-205145 1937-12-22 20:45:00