Gold Dredger (ruins)

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This historic rusting hulk was a gold dredger. Now owned by Stanislaus County. A monument on La Grange Road near gate. The Dredge Camp is a few miles away that used to service this dredge.

Monument reads: "Behind this monument rests the historic Tuolumne Gold Dredge, which started operation at Patricksville, just east of this location, on June 15, 1938. A Walter Johnson No. 52 model, it floated on a self-created pond of water. It was larger than a football field, weighed over 2500 tons, and cost $543,148 to construct. The dredge used electricity to drive 120 4000 lb. buckets 70 ft. deep to recover gold. It ceased operation in July 1951. The total amount of gold recovered is unknown.."

Photos here:
plus.google.com/photos/109604145471946995634/albums/563...
Nearby cities:
Coordinates:   37°38'0"N   120°28'37"W

Comments

  • In July of 2013, there was a a low but locked gate on the driveway leading to the dredger. There was also a fence surrounding the dredger, which appeared to have been cut at the SW corner some time ago. A wooden ramp at the SW corner provides access onto the Dredger, as the barge like steel hull is about 6' hi. This thing is BIG. If you want to explore the barge like hull, bring a flashlight. Otherwise the deck & superstructure is very accessible, and interesting. Amazing they were able to get such a huge dredger this far away from, and above, the river.
This article was last modified 13 years ago