The US Army Corps of Engineers says the Dredge William A. Thompson began its final voyage Tuesday  when it left its home base in Fountain City for its final resting spot in Prairie du Chein, Wisconsin.
                    
The 75 year old Thompson was decommissioned in 2005 after a new dredge boat, the Goetz was constructed to take its place.
                     
It was constructed in 1937 and has worked along the Mississippi River and some of its tributaries until it was retired from service. It was used to maintain 850 miles of the Upper Mississippi and 335 miles of the Illinois River, and other inland rivers.
                   
The Thompson will be turned over to a non-profit group in Prairie du Chein when it arrives Wednesday.