Great Lakes History (Dixie) Traditional Cache
Great Lakes History (Dixie)
-
Difficulty:
-
-
Terrain:
-
Size: 
(small)
Please note Use of geocaching.com services is subject to the terms and conditions
in our disclaimer.
This cache is part of my Great Lakes History series.
The Dixie was a 88'1"x28'x6'5" Dredge Derrick. It had no power source rather was pushed or pulled by tugs or other boats. It was built in 1941 at Cheboygan, Wisconsin. A storm on Friday, December 4th 1964 was the cause of her demise.
After stretching the season as far as it could be stretched, the tug Superior left Buffalo, NY and headed for Toledo, OH to lay up for the winter. In tow she had the dredge barge Three Brothers and the Dixie. As they approached Ashtabula the weather began to turn. The tug made a turn for safe harbor at Ashtabula, OH. Struggling thru 8 foot swells they were making their way closer but then the tow line to the Dixie snapped and sent her adrift in the building storm. With the Three Brothers still in tow there was no way to go after the Dixie. At 1;30 in the morning The Ashtabula Coast Guard and Army Corp of Engineers vessels spotted and tracked the Dixie. The rough waters made it impossible for them to take her under tow. Two Coast Guard boats followed the Dixie and warned other vessels of her presence. As the Dixie tossed and drifted in the Winter storm she finally gave up her fight, rolled over and sank in the darkness.
Today she lies in about 45 feet of waterWith pipes and debris spread around. Due to the muddy bottom the wreck has slowly been covered. She lies at N41 56.597 W80 43.578
You will need to enter one of the 2 trailheads. I recommend the east entrance which will take you across the old bridge at waters edge where the road used to run. You will then have a short beach walk to the cache location. If you choose the west trailhead you will need to walk eastward to beach then head towards the cache. Please put cache back as found. Use caution, some rock surfaces may become slippery.
Happy Caching!
Additional Hints
(Decrypt)
Lryybj znexf gur fcbg!