D. C. SHAW (Wooden Dredge Scow) — Fire Loss, 1926

Vessel Overview & Context

  • Type: Wooden-hulled Dredge scow, part of the G. H. Breymann & Bros. Dredging Co. fleet based in Toledo, Ohio
  • Role: Used for dredging the Toledo–Erie channel under U.S. Army Corps contracts
  • Co-incident Vessel: Tug John B. Breymann (formerly Marinette, US 91857), among a fleet of seven vessels moored together in a “boneyard” or ship graveyard on the Maumee River

June 8, 1926 – Fire at Toledo Boneyard

  • Incident: A passing locomotive ember ignited a blaze in the ship graveyard
  • Casualties: None reported among the vessels’ crew, including D. C. SHAW
  • Outcome: The fire destroyed seven vessels in the yard, consumed up to the waterline, including D. C. SHAW, resulting in Total Loss (Shotline Diving, McNally Corp.)

“On June 8, 1926… a fire broke out on the property. The John B. Breymann was among seven vessels destroyed. The Tug burned to the waterline and was declared a Total Loss. … no casualties were reported.” (Shotline Diving)

Final Disposition & Salvage

  • Status: Declared a Total Loss; wreckage likely Abandoned or dismantled in place
  • Aftermath: Signaled the end of wooden dredging vessels in Toledo in favor of newer technology

Sources & Verification

Recommended Research Directions

  • Newspaper Reports: Investigate late June 1926 Toledo Blade archives for fire account specifics, assessment of D. C. SHAW’s loss, and any mention of salvage
  • U.S. Army Corps & Port Authority Records: May include yard inventories of destroyed Dredge scows and replacement documentation
  • G. H. Breymann & Bros. Records: Company archives (if preserved) could reveal scow specifications, insurance filings, and fleet maintenance logs
  • Salvage Documentation: Check Toledo Harbor salvage operation files for vessel disposal or Hull salvage processes

Conclusion

The D. C. SHAW ended her service abruptly during a June 8, 1926 fire in the Toledo ship ‘boneyard’—one of seven vessels lost, with no reported casualties. Positioned in historical context, her end reflects both industrial transition in dredging technology and maritime hazards tied to early 20th-century wooden craft. Further archival research could reveal her specifications, usage, and exact role within the Breymann fleet.