Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: Northern Dock & Dredge Scow No. 2
- Type: Wooden work scow
- Year Built: 1883
- Builder: Racine, Wisconsin
- Dimensions: Length X ft (Y m); Beam; Depth of hold
- Registered Tonnage: 84 gross tons; 84 net tons
- Location: Lying at its anchorage off Grassy Point, Duluth, Minnesota
- Coordinates: GPS coordinates not provided
- Official Number: 16489
- Original Owners: Northern Dock & Dredge Co.
- Number of Masts: string
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
The Northern Dock & Dredge Scow No. 2 is classified as a wooden work scow, primarily used for construction and dredging operations.
Description
Scow No. 2 was an 84-ton wooden work scow built in 1883. It was designed for utility in harbor operations and was part of the Northern Dock & Dredge Co. fleet.
History
Built in Racine, Wisconsin, in 1883, Scow No. 2 served the Northern Dock & Dredge Co. for several decades. It was primarily used for dredging and construction work in the Duluth area.
Significant Incidents
- The scow was at anchor when the catastrophic Cloquet–Duluth fire swept through that evening.
- An intense wildfire storm ignited the docks and caused severe damage—the scow burst into flames and was destroyed by fire, along with eight other vessels from the Northern Dock & Dredge Co. fleet.
Final Disposition
On the evening of October 12, 1918, the massive Cloquet–Duluth–Moose Lake fire swept into Duluth and engulfed waterfront operations at Grassy Point. Scow No. 2 burned completely, one of nine vessels lost to the fire, fortunately without loss of life.
Current Condition & Accessibility
The wreck of Scow No. 2 is believed to be submerged at its anchorage off Grassy Point. The exact condition of the wreck is unknown, and it may contain archaeological remains or charred debris.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”northern-dock-dredge-scow-no-2-us-16489″ title=”References & Links”]
Scow No. 2 remains a significant historical artifact of the Cloquet–Duluth fire and serves as a reminder of the devastating impact of wildfires on maritime operations in the early 20th century.
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.
(Work Scow, built 1883; lost October 12, 1918)
Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Official Number: 16489
- Type: Wooden work scow
- Built: 1883 in Racine, Wisconsin
- Hull Specs: 84 gross tons; 84 net tons
- Loss Date: October 12, 1918
- Location: Lying at its anchorage off Grassy Point, Duluth, Minnesota, on Lake Superior (Great Lakes Shipwreck Files)
Incident Overview
- The scow was at anchor when the catastrophic Cloquet–Duluth fire swept through that evening.
- An intense wildfire storm ignited the docks and caused severe damage—the scow burst into flames and was destroyed by fire, along with eight other vessels from the Northern Dock & Dredge Co. fleet (Great Lakes Shipwreck Files).
Crew & Casualties
- No one was aboard at the time; no casualties were reported (Great Lakes Shipwreck Files).
Summary
Scow No. 2 was an 84-ton wooden work scow built in 1883. On the evening of October 12, 1918, the massive Cloquet–Duluth–Moose Lake fire swept into Duluth and at Grassy Point, engulfed waterfront operations. Scow No. 2 burned completely, one of nine vessels leveled by the fire—fortunately without loss of life.
Research Opportunities
| Focus Area | Why It’s Important | Sources |
|---|---|---|
| Fire spread documentation | To understand how far flames advanced across docks | Duluth archival photos, Coast Guard records |
| Dock infrastructure logs | To determine which facilities were lost | Harbor master logs; Duluth Port Authority archives |
| Crew statements or logs | May contain firsthand accounts of damage | Company communications; local newspapers |
| Archaeological remains | Potential submerged wreckage or charred debris | NOAA surveys; Great Lakes marine archaeology logs |