SWAN PORTLAND DREDGE 1927-1956

Abandoned on banks of Swan River after 1956

Description:

no. 1 Timber Dredge

Owner:

Swan Portland Cement Co

Construction:

Timber. Powered by coal burning steam engine Used to load barges with shell from river bottom to make cement during 1927-1956

Sunk:

Contact was made with Mr. Charlie Klegg who worked for the Swan Portland Cement Co. He said that this vessel was known as No. 1 dredge. It was built of timber and the drag line was powered by a coal burning steam engine. The method of holding these dredges in position was by using two 11/2 ton anchors off the bow with a 600′ line, two 11/2 ton anchors off either side and the fifth anchor weighing 2 ton, straight off the stern. After working an area, the crew would loosen off the side and stern anchors, while tightening the ones on the bow, thus, moving forward. These anchors came off the Lygnern when she sank off Fremantle Harbour in April 1936.

Size:

length 19m beam 7.2m depth 1.0m

Underwater:

Sitting on a sandy bottom edge of Swan river bank near boat ramp

Built:

Unknown

Location:

50m upstream of the Goodwood Parade Boat Ramp

Sinking:

Abandoned and stripped of boiler and machinery after 1956

Longitude:

115. 899645

Latitude:

-31. 953755

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