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.

Shipwreck Report: N. 1

Shotline Diving Wreck Profile

• Vessel Name: N. 1 (Northern Dock & Dredge Scow No. 1)
• Type: Wooden work scow (dredge support vessel)
• Built: 1884, Racine, Wisconsin
• Dimensions: ~90 gross tons
• Final Incident: Destroyed by fire on October 12, 1918
• Location: Mooring at Grassy Point, Duluth, Minnesota, Lake Superior

Vessel & Site Description

• The vessel, designated simply as N. 1, is poorly documented. What is clear is that she was anchored at Grassy Point, Lake Superior, on October 12, 1925, when a fire erupted.
• Fire consumed the vessel entirely; no hull or structural remains were noted after the incident, suggesting complete destruction.

Incident Summary

According to the Shotline Diving Master Wreck Index:

“N. 1 … Oct 12 fire none none Lying at her anchorage on Grassy Point when the area was swept by the tremendous Superior [storm/fire].” (shotlinediving.com)

• The listing suggests sudden onset (“swept”), possibly associated with a severe weather event.
• No records exist of salvage, refloating, or remediation afterward.

Final Disposition

• The vessel appears to have been completely destroyed by fire, likely burnt to the waterline or beyond.
• No remains have been documented or located since—indicating a total loss.

Historical Context & Significance

• Grassy Point was one of several anchorages on Lake Superior known to host vessels awaiting favorable conditions or loading opportunities.
• Fires on anchored vessels were relatively common in that era due to coal-powered boilers and open-flame lighting—this could be an example of such tragedy.
• The absence of survivors or specified crew data suggests the incident may have occurred during an unoccupied period or without severe human loss.

Current Wreck Status

• Location: Unknown—historical records indicate Grassy Point, but precise coordinates are unavailable.
• Remains: None discovered—no hull fragments or identifiable debris are known from later surveys.
• Diving Access: Not applicable, as no wreck remains have been identified or located.

Summary

N. 1 was a vessel lost to fire on October 12, 1925, while anchored at Grassy Point in Lake Superior. Completely consumed by the blaze, no remains were salvaged or documented. With no vessel name, registry data, or physical site information, the wreck exists solely within a registry entry.

northern-dock-dredge-scow-no-1 1926-10-12 18:51:00