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.
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
- Derelict ID: Unknown 16
- Vessel Type: Dipper dredge (mechanical excavator barge)
- Construction Date: Not determined (n.d.)
- Material: Wood
- Dimensions: Approx. 53.5 ft × 20 ft
- Builder/Origin: Unknown — no registry, no visible marking or builder plaque
Wreck Site & Disposition
- Location: Thunder Bay “ship graveyard”, off Mission Island, Lake Superior
- Depth: Estimated 10–18 m (33–60 ft) — consistent with other vessels in the scuttled fleet
- Disposition: Deliberately scuttled following abandonment or obsolete disposal of harbor maintenance vessels
Structural Description & Condition
- The hull is upright and partially embedded in sediment
- Lower hull framing and flat bottom remain intact; deck machinery and superstructure have been removed or decayed
- Likely remnants of dipper crane foundations visible; framing appears reinforced for heavy loads
Research Potential & Next Steps
| Objective | Proposed Action |
|---|---|
| 3D Documentation | Carry out photogrammetry surveys to record hull dimensions and dipping mechanisms |
| Timber Sampling & Dating | Extract core samples for dendrochronological dating and identification of wood species |
| Archival Research | Check regional Douglas County and Port Arthur drilling logs for launch and procurement details |
| Hardware Examination | Examine bolts and fittings for maker’s marks or date stamps |
| Comparative Analysis | Cross-reference with known dredge plans and dimensions from early 20th-century dredge fleets |
Significance
Unknown 16 represents a rare surviving example of industrial dredging technology from the Great Lakes region’s maritime infrastructure heritage. Its presence in the Thunder Bay scuttled fleet underscores the evolution of harbor engineering and vessel disposal practices. Investigating her build and origins can enrich understanding of pre-steel dredge design and early 20th-century harbor modernization.
unknown-16-dipper-dredge 1936-07-21 00:10:00