Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: Northern Dock & Dredge Scow No. 4
- Type: Wooden work scow
- Year Built: 1894
- Builder: Milwaukee
- Dimensions: 192 gross tons, 192 net tons
- Registered Tonnage: 192 gross tons, 192 net tons
- Location: At anchorage off Grassy Point, Duluth, Minnesota
- Official Number: 163491
- Original Owners: Northern Dock & Dredge Co.
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
Wooden work scow, tugged by dredge/work fleet.
Description
Scow No. 4 was a functional wooden scow built in Milwaukee in 1894, serving the Northern Dock & Dredge Co. Her service ended abruptly on October 12, 1918, when a colossal wildfire engulfed the Duluth waterfront.
History
As part of Northern Dock & Dredge Co.’s fleet, Scow No. 4 was moored at Grassy Point when the Cloquet–Duluth wildfire swept through the area. The blaze destroyed nine vessels along with dock facilities, and Scow No. 4 was consumed by fire. No crew were aboard; no casualties occurred.
Significant Incidents
- Scow No. 4 was destroyed in the Cloquet–Duluth wildfire on October 12, 1918.
- Other vessels affected included Scows No. 1, No. 2, No. 3, No. 40, and tugs Ella G. Stone, Mentor, and John H. Jeffrey Jr., along with dredge Dredge Duluth.
Final Disposition
Scow No. 4 was destroyed at her anchorage near Grassy Point with no loss of life, alongside eight other scows, three tugs, and a dredge.
Current Condition & Accessibility
The current condition of the wreck is unknown, and further research may be needed to determine whether any wreckage was removed, scuttled, or remains in situ.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”northern-dock-dredge-scow-no-4-us-163491″ title=”References & Links”]
Scow No. 4 represents a significant loss in the maritime history of the Duluth area, highlighting the impact of natural disasters on local industries.
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.
(built 1894, lost 1918)
Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Vessel Type: Wooden work scow, tugged by dredge/work fleet
- Official Number: 163491
- Built: 1894 in Milwaukee
- Dimensions: 192 gross tons, 192 net tons
- Loss Date: October 12, 1918
- Location: At anchorage off Grassy Point, Duluth, Minnesota, Lake Superior (Great Lakes Shipwreck Files)
Incident Overview
- As part of Northern Dock & Dredge Co.’s fleet, Scow No. 4 was moored at Grassy Point when the Cloquet–Duluth wildfire swept through the area.
- The blaze destroyed nine vessels along with dock facilities, and Scow No. 4 was consumed by fire. No crew were aboard; no casualties occurred (Great Lakes Shipwreck Files).
Context & Related Losses
Also destroyed or damaged in the same event:
- Scows N. 1, N. 2, N. 3
- Scow No. 40
- Tugs: Ella G. Stone, Mentor, John H. Jeffrey Jr.
- Dredge: Dredge Duluth (Great Lakes Shipwreck Files)
Summary
Scow No. 4 was a functional wooden scow built in Milwaukee in 1894, serving the Northern Dock & Dredge Co. Her service ended abruptly on October 12, 1918, when a colossal wildfire engulfed the Duluth waterfront. She was destroyed at her anchorage near Grassy Point with no loss of life, alongside eight other scows, three tugs, and a dredge.
Research Opportunities
| Subject | Why It Matters | Source Ideas |
|---|---|---|
| Fleet registry | Clarify build specs, fleet function, exact original owner | HCGL vessel files, dredge co. records |
| Cloquet–Duluth Fire logs | Archive photos/logs may show scows at Grassy Point | Local archives (Duluth News Tribune, Superior Telegram) |
| Insurance & salvage records | May indicate attempts to recover machinery/hulls | Marine insurers, USCG salvage logs |
| Post-fire site status | Whether wreckage was removed, scuttled, or still in situ | Port authority or coast guard documents |
Next Research Steps
If you’d like to dig deeper, I can help with:
- Retrieving 1918 newspaper coverage focusing on Grassy Point anchorage losses.
- Sourcing HCGL or dredge company vessel files for specifics.
- Locating insurance or salvage reports—perhaps revealing what happened to the hull and machinery post-fire.
- Identifying any archival photos or maps of the burned waterfront area.