An Abandoned Copper Dredge

The Keweenaw peninsula’s mining era spanned over 100 years starting in the mid 1800’s through the 1960’s. Join my husband, Chuck (A.K.A. DaViking), and I as we investigate this abandoned copper dredge. From the roadway, M-26, a fence had blocked access to this site. DaViking had other plans. He always knows how to create adventure! We launched Thor on this breezy, bright day to get a closer look at the Quincy Dredge #2.

*I was struck by the amount of stamp sand spread across Torch Lake,*
*narrowing the pathways through the water*.

The Keweenaw Peninsula

Dredge #1 and #2

*This satellite view shows where Dredge #1 sank and the location of Dredge #2.*
*The stamp sand deposits show as gray along the shoreline.*
*Photo Credit: Chuck Hayden*

Quincy Dredge #2

Light ripples lapped against the rusty structure as we drifted toward the sloped building. Stamp sands, now covered with bright green grass, stretched southward as far as I could see.

The Stamping Process

After blasting chunks of underground ore, the large rocks would be carted up a mine shaft in a “skip.” The ore would be unloaded and “stamped” in the mill. In the stamping process an iron anvil-type tool would be used to crush the rock in order to separate the copper. The crushed rock, now pulverized into sand would be released into a waterway.

*The top photos show the iron stamping tools used to crush the ore.*
*The bottom pictures were remnants of stamping mills.*

This dredge was used to sift through the sand tailings and retrieve bits of copper that had been missed previously in the stamping process.

*The metal suction pipe reached forward*
*as if it still wanted to swoop up soil and sift through the sandy remains.*

*The graffiti let us know that we weren’t the only visitors who have been to this long abandoned site.*

Superfund Site

This area was deemed a Superfund site in 1986 due to the environmental impact from the stamp sands on organisms in the area. After extensive clean up, the area was pronounced safe and taken off the Superfund list in 2013.

*The Quincy Stamp Mill (center) operated from 1848 – 1945.*

The vast amount of stamp sands brought me a sense of wonder about this region. The whispers of hard work could be heard in the wilderness on this cool summer morning.

The Secrets of the Keweenaw Peninsula

Unlocking the stories surrounding the Keweenaw peninsula has been fascinating. Stay tuned for more articles about this area of Michigan.

Resources

Take My Trip Article

Quincy Mine Article

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The Restless Viking