Dipper Dredge No. 3
Also known as: Dd-3
Why it's listed
Dipper Dredge No. 3 is a steam-powered floating dredge, now sitting in the Lyons drydock of the New York State Barge Canal. Its riveted steel hull dates from 1929 and measures 110 feet long and 34 feet wide. Much of the machinery, including the steam engines, A-frame and boom, was built in 1909 by the Bucyrus Co. and first mounted on a wooden hull in 1910 for dredging the Mohawk River channel. New York State rebuilt the vessel in the late 1920s, and it worked on maintenance dredging until 1986, with a final run in 1988. It is considered significant for its role in building and maintaining the Barge Canal between 1909 and 1957. It is also the last surviving steam-powered canal dredge to retain its steam plant and machinery, and is believed to be the last machinery tied to the canal's original construction. It awaits restoration and public exhibition.
Significance in brief: The dredge is tied to the construction and maintenance of the New York State Barge Canal between 1909 and 1957. It is described as a rare and very complete example of large steam-powered excavation equipment in the state. It is the last surviving steam-powered Barge Canal dredge to keep its steam plant and machinery, and is believed to be the last surviving machinery from the 1905-1918 canal construction.
Machine-generated summary. This summary was generated by a language model from the official nomination document and has not been reviewed line by line by an editor. It may contain errors. Check the source document before relying on any detail. Source: nomination document (PDF) · National Archives catalog entry. NRHP reference 07001257, listed December 11, 2007. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 1665 Drydock Rd., Lyons |
|---|---|
| County | Wayne County |
| Listed | December 11, 2007 |
| Reference number | 07001257 |
| Resource type | Structure |
| Period of significance | 1909-1957 |
| Architect / builder | Bucyrus Co. (mechanical equipment mfg.) |
| Architectural style | Other / steam dredge |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Transportation, Engineering |
| Level of significance | State |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Listed as vacant/not in use; retired to drydock in Lyons, where it awaits plans for restoration and public exhibition. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Coordinates | 43.06460, -77.01921 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
National Register listing is honorary: it recognises significance and does not restrict what a private owner may do without federal money or permits. It unlocks the 20% federal rehabilitation tax credit for income-producing buildings, state credits in many states, and Section 106 review when federal agencies are involved. See what listing means in practice.
Noted as vacant in the nomination. Nomination documents can be decades old; current status may differ. If you are considering buying an empty listed property, read the due-diligence checklist.
General information, not legal or tax advice. Rules change; confirm with your State Historic Preservation Office or a qualified adviser.
Sources and further reading
- National Park Service, National Register of Historic Places database (snapshot May 2026), reference 07001257.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q5280059
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.