Dredge 32 (Grafton)
Originally built in 1932, the Dredge 32 is believed to be the oldest cutter suction dredge in operation in the United States.
The following is a brief account of its history according to current Captain (J. Curtis “Monkey” Savoie) and Deck Captain (Ricky “Pecan” Stelly) who have each worked on the vessel for over 35 years.
Special thanks to Mr. Drewey Beard for his efforts in collecting this information.
History
1932
The “32” as it is commonly referred to today, was constructed in 1932 by Dravo Construction in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania under the name Dredge Grafton.
Note that the USACE had also commissioned another dredge built in 1932, the Dredge Potter that is still in operation. However, the Potter is a dustpan-style dredge as opposed to the cutter-suction style of the Dredge 32.
1933
Dredge 32 circa 1933
Following its construction, the dredge was commissioned in 1933 and delivered to Owner-Operator USACE St. Louis and put to work mainly on the Mississippi, Missouri, and Ohio Rivers.
The dredge continued its work maintaining and developing the national infrastructure under the US Army Corps of Engineers and was eventually acquired by Bauer Dredging (Port Lavaca, TX) in the early 1960s and renamed to its current moniker of Dredge 32.
1974
In 1974, the dredge was purchased from Bauer Dredging by Bean Dredging (New Orleans, LA) who continued to operate the vessel for another 13 years before its final transfer of ownership to Mike Hooks, LLC in 1987.
1987
In December of 1987, Mr. Mike Hooks, founder of Mike Hooks, LLC, purchased the Dredge 32 from Bean Dredging.
Allegedly, Mr. Hooks purchased the dredger as scrap and intended to salvage the vessel for parts. Upon its arrival, Hooks decided instead to put the 32 to work and it has continued to operate to this day under the direct supervision of Captain Savoie and Mr. Stelly.
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