Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: Unknown 12
- Type: Dump scow (barge)
- Year Built:
- Builder: Unknown—no registry or yard documentation yet identified
- Dimensions: Approx. 75 ft long × 30 ft beam
- Registered Tonnage:
- Depth at Wreck Site: 10 m / 33 ft
- Location: Thunder Bay “ship graveyard,” just offshore Mission Island
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
Vessel Type
Dump scow (barge)
Description
Description
Unknown 12 is a wooden dump scow, likely constructed in the Great Lakes region in the late 19th or early 20th century for dredging, spoil hauling, or harbor maintenance. The hull appears upright or slightly embedded in sediment, with the superstructure dismantled and no visible machinery or fittings.
History
History
The vessel was scuttled deliberately as part of early 20th-century harbor clearance or scrap disposal efforts. Its construction date remains undetermined, but it is believed to have been used for industrial purposes in the region.
Significant Incidents
Significant Incidents
- Scuttled as part of harbor clearance efforts.
Final Disposition
Final Disposition
Unknown 12 was scuttled in Thunder Bay, contributing to the area known as the ‘ship graveyard.’ Its condition is largely intact, with cold freshwater conditions aiding preservation.
Current Condition & Accessibility
Current Condition & Accessibility
The wreck is estimated to be at a depth of 10-18 m (33-60 ft). The hull is largely intact, with structural features such as reinforced longitudinal beams and thicker floor timbers visible. Preservation is enhanced by the freshwater environment, despite the absence of upper works.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”unknown-12-dump-scow” title=”References & Links”]
Significance
Unknown 12 represents a distinctive class of working vessels that supported harbors, dredging operations, and industrial lakefront activity—often overlooked in Great Lakes maritime archaeology. Its intact wooden hull provides valuable data on local scow construction and disposal practices. Detailed study could expand understanding of early 20th-century harbor maintenance ecology and local craftsmanship.
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.
Site Identification
- Vessel Type: Dump scow (barge)
- Designation: Unknown 12 (per local dive records)
- Construction Date: Not determined (n.d.)
- Material: Wood
- Dimensions: Approx. 75 ft long × 30 ft beam
- Builder: Unknown—no registry or yard documentation yet identified
- Origin: Likely constructed in Great Lakes region (late 19th or early 20th century) for dredging, spoil hauling, or harbor maintenance
Wreck Site & Disposition
- Location: Thunder Bay “ship graveyard,” just offshore Mission Island, Lake Superior
- Depth: Estimated 10–18 m (33–60 ft)
- Disposition: Scuttled deliberately as part of early 20th-century harbor clearance or scrap disposal
- Orientation and Condition:
- Hull appears upright or slightly embedded in sediment
- Superstructure dismantled; no visible machinery or fittings
- Framing and hull planking largely intact; cold freshwater supports preservation
Archaeological Observations
- Hull Form: Box-like barge hull with wide beam—designed for maximum cargo capacity
- Structural Features: Reinforced longitudinal beams and thicker floor timbers consistent with uneven load-bearing for spoil materials
- Visible Artifacts: No deck equipment or fittings visible in initial dive imaging; no nameboards or hardware markings identified
- Preservation: Freshwater conditions and low current enhance structural survival despite stripped upper works
Research Potential & Next Steps
| Research Area | Suggested Activity |
|---|---|
| Construction Dating | Perform dendrochronology on hull timbers to approximate build period |
| Hull Documentation | Commission 3D photogrammetry mapping to document hull form and framing |
| Hardware Survey | Inspect for embedded bolts, nails, or fittings that may bear maker’s marks |
| Archival Research | Review Thunder Bay docking and dredging contracts from 1900–1950 for matching scow specs |
| Comparative Analysis | Compare with known scow blueprints or dredge fleet records from Port Arthur/Huron construction yards |
Significance
Unknown 12 represents a distinctive class of working vessels that supported harbors, dredging operations, and industrial lakefront activity—often overlooked in Great Lakes maritime archaeology. Its intact wooden hull provides valuable data on local scow construction and disposal practices. Detailed study could expand understanding of early 20th-century harbor maintenance ecology and local craftsmanship.
unknown-12-dump-scow 1936-07-20 23:32:00