IDENTIFICATION & SITE INFORMATION

• Name: Unspecified Landing Craft (similar to the Wolfe to Kingston Barge)

• Type: Landing Craft (Barge)

• Dimensions: Not specified, comparable to Wolfe-Kingston transport Barge

• Depth at Wreck Site: 126 feet (38 meters)

• Location: Amherst Island, Millhaven Bombing Range, Lake Ontario

• Coordinates: General area near Amherst Island; exact coordinates undisclosed

VESSEL TYPE DESCRIPTION

The vessel is a landing craft, similar in design and function to those used for ferrying vehicles and personnel between Wolfe Island and Kingston. These crafts were utilitarian, flat-bothttps://shotlinediving.com/wp-content/uploads/52895851813_b64678c0f7_c.jpged vessels known for their capacity to carry substantial loads, including military vehicles, across shallow waters. This specific craft was repurposed as a military target at the Millhaven Bombing Range.

HISTORY

Originally employed as a transport Barge in the Wolfe Island to Kingston route, this landing craft became obsolete and was handed over for military training exercises. It was relocated to the Millhaven Bombing Range near Amherst Island, Lake Ontario. During its tenure there, the craft served as a bombing target, often paired with an Anson Bomber that was also sunk in the area during the exercises.

In 1956, a diver rediscovered the wreck during efforts to retrieve lead practice bombs from the site. The wreckage of both the landing craft and the bomber remains in the lake, undisturbed due to salvage restrictions tied to ordnance retrieval contracts.

FINAL DISPOSITION

The vessel was intentionally sunk during bombing practice at the Millhaven Bombing Range. While its location was pinpointed in 1956, no efforts were made to recover the craft itself. The wreck, along with the Anson Bomber, remains on the lakebed as a relic of mid-20th-century military training.

CURRENT CONDITION & ACCESSIBILITY

The wreck lies in deep water at a depth of 126 feet (38 meters). As of 1999, the diver who rediscovered it in 1956 had not disclosed the precise location, leaving the site largely unexplored. Potential hazards include unexploded ordnance from its use as a bombing target, which could pose risks to divers. Accessing the site would require clearance and expertise in navigating hazardous underwater environments.

RESOURCES & LINKS

• Military Records: Archives related to the Millhaven Bombing Range and training exercises may provide more context about the vessel’s role and history.

• Local Dive Communities: Seek out historical diving groups familiar with the Lake Ontario region.

• Aviation & Naval Historical Societies: These organizations might have details about similar vessels or bombing range operations.

ANALYSIS

The landing craft is a rare and intriguing artifact of Lake Ontario’s military and maritime history. Its dual life as a transport vessel and a bombing target makes it significant for understanding mid-20th-century military training practices. The pairing with the Anson Bomber at the Millhaven Bombing Range adds another layer of historical interest, reflecting the range’s importance in preparing military personnel during a time of heightened global tensions.

However, the site’s inaccessibility and potential hazards from unexploded ordnance limit its exploration potential. Preservation efforts, if undertaken, would require careful consideration of these risks.

KEYWORDS

Landing craft, Millhaven Bombing Range, Wolfe Island to Kingston Barge, Amherst Island, military target, Lake Ontario wreck, unexploded ordnance, Anson Bomber, submerged artifact.