The Yuba Gold Dredge had been on our to do list for several years. Finally on a hot June day in 2018 on our way up to explore the Allegheny District we decided to detour to the Yuba Gold Fields. A few short miles east of Yuba City we turned north on Hammonton Road and could soon see the dredge towering in the distance. We drove through the open gate and pulled up next to the dredge. There were several pickups and conveyors running near the dredge obviously processing gravels but they didn’t seem to mind our presence. So we walked around a bit and shot some photos as the sunset.
Dredge 17 was rebuilt using parts from…
Dredging on the Yuba began in 1903. Gold Dredge 17 was built in 1917 and is one of 21 that were built. Dredging stopped in 1968 for economic reasons. Many were sold to south america. Dredge 21 was revamped in 1981 with the help of Dave Kopp. Dredge 21 sank in 2003. Later in 2007 Tony Massey helped rebuild Dredge 17 and get it into operation with modern equipment designed to handle the massive amount of gold bearing ‘black sand’. Dredge 17 was rebuilt using parts from some of the then defunct dredges that had been sold to south america.
The dredge was featured on the television show “Yuba Gold Fields-California’s Golden Parks ” episode #130 and featured interviews with Tony Massey by Huell Howser.
If you know more about the Yuba Gold Dredges or have photos you would like to share please comment below.
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Worked on dredge 21 in 1988 after leaving the Army. Such a great experience. The sound I will never forget.