🌊 Diving Deep into History with Matthew from Shotline Diving! 📸🤿
A huge shoutout to Matthew for lending his expertise and breathtaking underwater photography to an incredible article promoting Kingston, Ontario as a premier destination for shipwreck diving! 🛳️✨ His stunning images brought the hidden world of Lake Ontario’s shipwrecks to life, unveiling a side of Kingston that few have seen but many will now be eager to explore.
As a proud member of Shotline Diving, Save Ontario Shipwrecks, Dolphin Scuba Club, Preserve Our Wrecks, and 3DShipwrecks, Matthew’s dedication to underwater exploration is truly unparalleled. 🌊💙 His passion shines through every dive and every shot, as he meticulously captures the haunting beauty of century-old wrecks resting beneath the waves. 📷 His work doesn’t just highlight Kingston’s rich maritime history—it plays a vital role in preserving and promoting these underwater treasures for future generations.
One standout contribution is Matthew’s detailed 3D model of the George A. Marsh, whose photo is featured in the article. This model offers an unprecedented, immersive look at the wreck, allowing both divers and history enthusiasts to explore its structure and story in incredible detail. By combining his photography with cutting-edge modeling techniques, Matthew is not just documenting these shipwrecks—he’s bringing them back to life.
Matthew’s work inspires divers from around the world to dive into Lake Ontario’s depths and uncover the forgotten stories lying beneath. His dedication to both exploration and preservation ensures that these submerged pieces of history remain accessible, respected, and protected.
If you’re passionate about diving, maritime history, or just love jaw-dropping underwater photography, Matthew’s work is a must-see. His commitment is helping put Kingston on the map as one of North America’s top diving destinations! 🌍✨
Check out the full article and dive into history! 👇
We’re beyond excited to share that our underwater footage was featured in Jason Botticelli’s latest article, “The Ultimate Guide to Scuba Diving Picton, Ontario,” published on September 4, 2024!
Reposted from Wellington Times – JULY 11, 2024 AT 12:59 PM
Preserving Marine Heritage for Future Generations: The Shipwrecks of Lake Ontario
The Great Lakes are often referred to as the “Inland Seas,” but they also hold another title—the graveyard of thousands of sailing vessels. Beneath their cold, freshwater depths lies a rich tapestry of maritime history, with ships dating back to the age of sail and steam, each with its own story etched into the lakebed. Lake Ontario, in particular, is home to dozens of these sunken relics, especially in the waters surrounding Prince Edward County. While some wrecks may be of limited historical interest, many represent a veritable slice of marine heritage that is invaluable for understanding the region’s past.
One of the leading voices in the effort to preserve this underwater history is Corey Phillips, a passionate diver and member of Save Ontario Shipwrecks (SOS), an organization dedicated to the study, documentation, and preservation of shipwrecks in Ontario’s waters. Recently, Mr. Phillips shared his experiences and insights at the Mariners Museum, shedding light on the importance of protecting these submerged cultural treasures for future generations.
A Personal Dive into History
Mr. Phillips began his journey into the world of diving in 2002, after receiving a birthday gift of dive lessons from his wife, Holly. What started as a thoughtful present quickly turned into a lifelong passion. Since then, Phillips has logged over 900 dives and invested significantly in diving equipment, all in pursuit of uncovering the hidden stories beneath Lake Ontario’s surface.
Diving in Lake Ontario is not for the faint of heart. With depths reaching over 200 feet (61 meters), these dives require meticulous planning and a deep respect for safety protocols. Phillips emphasizes the importance of having multiple spare tanks to ensure a safe ascent, which can take up to two minutes for every minute spent at the bottom. Such precision is crucial when exploring these fragile wrecks, many of which have remained undisturbed for over a century.
The Fragile State of Underwater Heritage
While the cold freshwater environment of Lake Ontario has helped preserve many wrecks, time and human activity pose significant threats. Natural deterioration, coupled with unintentional damage from boat anchors, commercial fishing gear, and even scuba bubbles, accelerates the decay of these historical sites. Unfortunately, unscrupulous diversalso contribute to the problem by taking “souvenirs,” further degrading the integrity of these wrecks.
Recognizing the urgency of the situation, Phillips and his team at Save Ontario Shipwrecks have embarked on a mission to document and protect these underwater landmarks. One of their key initiatives involves creating underwater video footage of the wrecks, which is then transformed into 3-D models. These models not only help track changes over time but also serve as blueprints for future dive activities, ensuring that each expedition minimizes its impact on the site.
Mooring Buoys: Protecting Wrecks from Above
A critical component of this preservation effort is the installation of permanent mooring buoys at dive sites. Traditional anchoring can cause irreparable damage to fragile wrecks, as anchors and chains scrape against the wooden and metal structures. To combat this, Phillips’ team has placed 2,000-kilogram concrete blocks—set by Coast Guard vessels—on the lakebed. These blocks are connected to floating buoys at the surface, providing a secure and clearly marked mooring point for dive boats. This system not only protects the wrecks but also makes it easier for divers to locate and access the sites.
Currently, there are mooring buoys at eight locations near Prince Edward County, with plans to install two more in the near future. These buoys are a testament to the ongoing commitment of the diving community and organizations like Save Ontario Shipwrecks to safeguard Ontario’s maritime history.
Shipwrecks of Lake Ontario: A Glimpse into the Past
Mr. Phillips has explored most of the shipwrecks in the Lake Ontario region, each with its unique story and historical significance. Among the most notable are:
Katie Eccles – A well-preserved wreck that remains a favorite among divers.
City of Sheboygan – A vessel whose anchor is now displayed at the Mariners Museum, offering a tangible connection to its storied past.
Oliver Mowat – Perhaps one of the most tragic, this ship sank after a collision near Main Duck Island, resulting in the loss of the captain and two crew members. The vessel’s riven hull is still visible underwater, serving as a haunting reminder of the perils faced by sailors on the Great Lakes.
While some wrecks remain intact, others have been stripped of valuable components before being scuttled, reflecting the varied fates of these maritime relics. Regardless of their condition, each wreck contributes to the broader narrative of Ontario’s maritime heritage.
Legal Protections and Preservation Efforts
Ontario’s waters are home to thousands of shipwrecks, all of which are protected by law from being disturbed or salvaged. However, there are three locations where diving is strictly prohibited due to their historical and cultural significance:
Edmund Fitzgerald– The site of the infamous freighter’s sinking, considered a grave site.
Hamilton and Scourge – Two War of 1812 warships resting at the bottom of Lake Ontario, recognized as war memorial sites.
For all other wrecks, divers are encouraged to follow protocols that minimize their impact on these fragile sites. Organizations like Save Ontario Shipwrecks play a vital role in educating the diving community and advocating for the continued protection of these underwater treasures.
Building a Community of Preservationists
Phillips and Save Ontario Shipwrecks are working tirelessly to build a community of divers, historians, and maritime enthusiasts dedicated to preserving Ontario’s underwater heritage. Through outreach programs, educational initiatives, and collaborative dive projects, they hope to inspire a new generation to appreciate and protect these submerged historical sites.
For those interested in learning more or getting involved, visit saveontarioshipwrecks.ca, where you can find information on ongoing projects, dive opportunities, and ways to contribute to the preservation of Ontario’s maritime history.
Conclusion
The shipwrecks of Lake Ontario are more than just relics of the past; they are windows into the history that shaped the economic and cultural development of Ontario and the broader Great Lakes region. Thanks to the efforts of divers like Corey Phillips and organizations like Save Ontario Shipwrecks, these submerged treasures are being documented, protected, and shared with the world. By fostering a sense of community and responsibility, we can ensure that these vital pieces of our marine heritage are preserved for future generations to explore and appreciate.
Keywords:Lake Ontario shipwrecks, Save Ontario Shipwrecks, Great Lakes maritime heritage, Corey Phillips diver, Katie Eccles wreck, Oliver Mowat shipwreck, City of Sheboygan anchor, Ontario underwater archaeology, maritime preservation, Prince Edward County diving, Lake Ontario marine history, shipwreck conservation, Great Lakes diving sites.
Northern Diving Adventures, a new charter in the Niagara region, is now using SLD’s maps. They are only the second dive group to actually ask for permission, and we couldn’t be more thrilled!
We’re excited to share that Mark Truezki was featured on CBC Radio’s Ontario Morning on May 23, 2024, where he spoke with host Molly Thomas about an incredible underwater discovery in Fenelon Falls!
Mark had the chance to explore a piece of Fenelon Falls’ timber industry history, hidden beneath the river’s surface for over 125 years. This fascinating glimpse into the past showcases the rich logging heritage of the region, where sunken relics from the booming lumber trade still rest, waiting to be rediscovered.
This interview brings attention to the importance of underwater archaeology in preserving and understanding Ontario’s maritime and industrial history. A huge shoutout to Mark and the CBC team for helping to share this incredible story!
On Saturday, May 18th, Dan had the opportunity to present to members of the 1000 Islands diving community, sharing insights on Shotline Diving’s mission and ongoing efforts in the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence River.
The presentation covered the extensive work being done to locate, document, and preserve shipwreck history, ensuring that these vital pieces of our maritime heritage remain accessible for generations to come.
Other key topics discussed at the annual 1000 Islands Diving Symposium included:
The history of the Maggie L.
Advancements in 3D wreck modeling
The ongoing efforts of Save Ontario Shipwrecks (SOS)
This event highlighted the importance of international collaboration in preserving our underwater cultural heritage. By coming together, we can ensure these historical wrecks remain documented, protected, and appreciated for their significance to both divers and historians alike.
A huge thank you to everyone who participated and contributed to making this symposium a success!
The season is off and running with no time to waste, and the upcoming weekend looks fantastic! There’s no better time than now to gear up and dive in. At SLD, we encourage you to dive, document, and report your dive conditions to our community. Your contributions help keep everyone informed and engaged.
