Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: Unknown 19
- Type: Dump scow
- Year Built:
- Builder: Unknown
- Dimensions: Approximately 123 ft long × 23–28 ft beam
- Registered Tonnage:
- Depth at Wreck Site: 10 m / 33 ft
- Location: Thunder Bay, Mission Island area
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
Dump scow (a barge used for dredged spoil or bulk waste)
Description
The hull remains upright and largely intact below the waterline; upper works removed or deteriorated. Heavy-duty framing and wide beam indicate capacity for substantial spoil loads. Wood planking and keel visible, though silt has partially buried the keel line. No visible hardware or markings, but iron fasteners are evident in the hull structure. Cold freshwater conditions maintain structural integrity, though exposed timbers show slight degradation.
History
Unknown 19 was deliberately scuttled during the early to mid-20th century as part of a harbor cleanup or decommissioning process. The construction date remains undetermined, and no registry plates, builder’s stamps, or nameboards have been observed.
Significant Incidents
- Scuttled during harbor cleanup or decommissioning process in the early to mid-20th century.
Final Disposition
The vessel was deliberately scuttled, contributing to the Thunder Bay ‘ship graveyard’ in Lake Superior.
Current Condition & Accessibility
The wreck is located at an estimated depth of 10–18 m (33–60 ft), consistent with other vessels in the scuttling zone. The hull is largely intact, providing opportunities for archaeological research.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”unknown-19-dump-scow-2″ title=”References & Links”]
Unknown 19 serves as a significant artifact of industrial-era harbor maintenance, offering insights into the engineering practices and regional harbor infrastructure evolution of the early 20th century.
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
- Designation: Unknown 19 (according to local dive and wreck documentation)
- Vessel Type: Dump scow (a barge used for dredged spoil or bulk waste)
- Construction Date: Not determined (n.d.)
- Material: Wood
- Dimensions: Approximately 123 ft long × 23–28 ft beam (beam estimate ranges)
- Builder / Origin: Unknown—no registry plates, builder’s stamps, or nameboards observed
Wreck Site & Disposition
- Location: Thunder Bay “ship graveyard,” Mission Island area on Lake Superior
- Depth: Estimated 10–18 m (33–60 ft), consistent with the other vessels in the scuttling zone
- Final Disposition: Deliberately scuttled during early to mid-20th-century harbor cleanup or decommissioning process
Structural Description & Condition
- The hull remains upright and largely intact below the waterline; upper works removed or deteriorated
- Heavy-duty framing and wide beam indicate capacity for substantial spoil loads
- Wood planking and keel visible, though silt has partially buried the keel line
- No visible hardware or markings, but iron fasteners are evident in the hull structure
- Cold freshwater conditions maintain structural integrity, though exposed timbers show slight degradation
Archaeological Research Opportunities
| Objective | Proposed Activity |
|---|---|
| Hull Recording & Modeling | Conduct side-scan sonar and 3D photogrammetry to accurately document hull form and structural traits |
| Timber Sampling & Dating | Retrieve small-core samples to perform dendrochronology—establish build period and timber origin |
| Fastener & Hardware Survey | Inspect remaining iron fasteners for manufacturer marks or construction typology |
| Archival Correlation | Examine Thunder Bay harbor logs (1900–1950) for records of dredging scows with similar dimensions |
| Comparative Vessel Typology | Cross-compare measurements and framing with documented scows in historical dredge-fleet records |
Cultural & Industrial Significance
Flat-bottomed dump scows like Unknown 19 were essential to industrial-era harbor maintenance, transporting dredged sediment, gravel, and refuse. This preserved hull gives insight into early 20th-century working craft often overlooked in favor of passenger or cargo vessels. Studying its structure and archival origins may deepen our understanding of engineering practices and regional harbor infrastructure evolution.
unknown-19-dump-scow 1936-07-21 00:35:00