Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: Unknown 16
- Type: Dipper dredge (mechanical excavator barge)
- Year Built:
- Builder: Unknown — no registry, no visible marking or builder plaque
- Dimensions: Approx. 53.5 ft × 20 ft
- Registered Tonnage:
- Depth at Wreck Site: 10 m / 33 ft
- Location: Thunder Bay “ship graveyard”, off Mission Island
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
Dipper dredge (mechanical excavator barge)
Description
The Unknown 16 is a wooden dipper dredge, approximately 53.5 feet long and 20 feet wide. The hull is upright and partially embedded in sediment, with the lower hull framing and flat bottom remaining intact. However, the deck machinery and superstructure have been removed or decayed. Likely remnants of dipper crane foundations are visible, and the framing appears reinforced for heavy loads.
History
The construction date of Unknown 16 is not determined, and it is believed to have been deliberately scuttled following abandonment or obsolete disposal of harbor maintenance vessels. Its presence in the Thunder Bay scuttled fleet highlights the evolution of harbor engineering and vessel disposal practices.
Significant Incidents
- Deliberately scuttled following abandonment or obsolete disposal of harbor maintenance vessels.
Final Disposition
Unknown 16 is confirmed as a wreck, located in the Thunder Bay “ship graveyard” off Mission Island in Lake Superior.
Current Condition & Accessibility
The wreck is estimated to be at a depth of 10-18 meters (33-60 feet), consistent with other vessels in the scuttled fleet. The hull remains upright and partially embedded in sediment, with significant structural elements intact.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”unknown-16-dipper-dredge” title=”References & Links”]
Unknown 16 represents a rare surviving example of industrial dredging technology from the Great Lakes region’s maritime infrastructure heritage. Investigating its build and origins can enrich understanding of pre-steel dredge design and early 20th-century harbor modernization.
Full Wreck Record — complete historical article, construction details, voyage logs, incident reports, dive conditions, and all research sources.
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