Scow #2 – Lake Michigan Work Shipwreck (1900)

Shotline Diving Wreck Profile

• Name: Scow #2
• Type: Wooden work/dredge scow
• Year Built:
• Builder:
• Dimensions:
• Registered Tonnage:
• Location:
• Official Number: 21900

Wreck Location Map

Vessel Type

Vessel Type: Wooden work/dredge scow (no recorded name—identified by number)

Description

Official Number: 21900
Registry: U.S., loss date recorded as November 20, 1900
Known Details: Listed as “sunk” in Great Lakes Shipwreck Files; no further descriptive data available.

History

Incident: “Sunk” – but no record exists of location, voyage, cargo, or weather conditions.
Casualties: Not recorded; absence of mention likely indicates no crew loss, but unconfirmed.
Likely Fate: Typical of scow losses, she may have foundered, swamped, or capsized—possibly sank near harbor or work site.

Significant Incidents

• Incident: “Sunk” – but no record exists of location, voyage, cargo, or weather conditions.
• Casualties: Not recorded; absence of mention likely indicates no crew loss, but unconfirmed.
• Likely Fate: Typical of scow losses, she may have foundered, swamped, or capsized—possibly sank near harbor or work site.

Final Disposition

Research Gaps & Recommended Investigation:
Official Registry Records: Access the U.S. Vessel Enrollment or Documentation register to find build specs, ownership, home port, and classification details.
Shipping & Harbor Bulletins: Look into regional port logs or U.S. Coast Guard “Notice to Mariners” entries for salvage or hazard notices around late 1900.
Local Newspaper Archives: Search local press (e.g. Detroit Free Press, Cleveland Plain Dealer, Duluth News Tribune) from Nov 1900 for reports of a scow sinking at harbor docks or dredge operations.
Lifesaving Station Records: Request logs from U.S. Lifesaving Service stations coastal to suspect regions for any incident reporting on that date.
Archaeological Potential: Upon identifying a probable location, conduct a side-scan sonar and magnetometer survey to locate submerged remains indicative of a wooden dredge scow.

Current Condition & Accessibility

Potential Significance:

• Scow type vessels were vital but underrepresented county-level freight craft; uncovering this hull would provide insight into dredging, harbor maintenance, or construction operations of the era.
• Documenting even poorly recorded wrecks like these enriches Great Lakes maritime heritage, showcasing the broader occupational spectrum of working vessels.

Resources & Links

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Scow #2 represents a significant yet under-documented aspect of Great Lakes maritime history. Further research and exploration could yield valuable insights into the operational practices of the time.