Vicksburg-based Jadwin damaged Saturday near Morgan City

Published 10:07 am Tuesday, January 28, 2020

The dredge Jadwin, operated by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Vicksburg District, was damaged Saturday when it collided with a westbound tow in the Intracoastal Waterway, about 9 miles west of Morgan City, La.

Port of Morgan City Director Raymond “Mac” Wade said the Jadwin was working in the area at the time of the wreck. No one was reported injured.

He said the Jadwin was expected to go to one of the shipyards in Morgan City for repairs. Wade said the dredge was expected to do some dredging in the Atchafalaya River before it returns to Vicksburg.

Email newsletter signup

Sign up for The Vicksburg Post's free newsletters

Check which newsletters you would like to receive
  • Vicksburg News: Sent daily at 5 am
  • Vicksburg Sports: Sent daily at 10 am
  • Vicksburg Living: Sent on 15th of each month

According to information from the Vicksburg District, the Jadwin sustained damages from the collision, including a 20-foot dent along its discharge pipeline. The Corps called the damage minor.

 The dredge is expected to briefly dock in Morgan City later this week for necessary emergency repairs that were identified before the accident.

Lt. Michael Groff, senior investigating officer for the U.S. Coast Guard Marine Safety Unit in Morgan City, said the Jadwin collided with a six-barge tow at the Wax Lake Outlet where it crosses the Intercoastal Waterway about 11 a.m. Saturday.

He said the dredge was working at the intersection of Wax Lake and the waterway and had been working in the area for about one week. He did not know if the Jadwin was dredging at the time of the collision.

Groff declined to give further information, citing the ongoing investigation into the collision.

Built at the Marietta Manufacturing Co., in Point Pleasant, W.Va., the Jadwin was launched Oct. 30, 1933, and named for Lt. Gen. Edgar Jadwin, who was chief of engineers during the 1927 flood.

It performs dredging duties on the Mississippi River and ports along the river during the traditional low water season from July to December.

About John Surratt

John Surratt is a graduate of Louisiana State University with a degree in general studies. He has worked as an editor, reporter and photographer for newspapers in Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama. He has been a member of The Vicksburg Post staff since 2011 and covers city government. He and his wife attend St. Paul Catholic Church and he is a member of the Port City Kiwanis Club.

email author More by John