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.
Full Wreck Record — complete historical article, construction details, voyage logs, incident reports, dive conditions, and all research sources.
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