LONDONDERRY (formerly QUEBEC (2)) Wreck Site Overview

Identification & Site Information

•Vessel Name: LONDONDERRY (formerly QUEBEC)

•Type: Steel Sailing Barge

•Dimensions:

•Length: 206.16 feet (62.84 meters)

•Beam: Not specified

•Depth: Not specified

•Depth at Wreck Site: 250 feet (76 meters)

•Location: Amherst Island, Lake Ontario

•Coordinates: N 44°08.162’ W 76°49.615’

Vessel Type Description

The LONDONDERRY, originally registered as QUEBEC, was a robust steel three-masted sailing Barge constructed in 1901 by Carrier-Laine Co. in L vis, Quebec. Designed primarily for the transport of heavy cargo, such as lumber, the Barge had a Gross Tonnage of 1,016.88 tons and a Net Tonnage of 988.75 tons. The vessel’s construction mirrored its sister ship, HAMILTON, reflecting the industrial and shipping needs of the early 20th century.

Historical Summary

•Construction and Early Service: Built for durability and capacity, the QUEBEC (2) served as a vital part of the Great Lakes shipping fleet, often transporting lumber and grain.

•Maintenance Challenges: The vessel required frequent dockings for maintenance and Caulking, indicative of the rigorous demands placed on sailing barges of the era.

•Grounding Incidents:

•In 1906, grounded near Charlotte, New York.

•Stranded on Main Duck Island in 1915.

•Explosion Incident (1919): A catastrophic grain elevator explosion in Port Colborne, Ontario, resulted in the deaths of eleven individuals, including a crew member of the QUEBEC . The ship was declared a constructive Total Loss but was later Rebuilt.

•Renaming and Later Years: Renamed LONDONDERRY in 1929, it changed ownership multiple times, becoming part of various towing and salvage fleets operated by companies such as McAllister Towing and Sincennes-MacNaughton Lines.

Final Disposition

The LONDONDERRY was scuttled in the late 1960s off Amherst Island in Lake Ontario. The decision to scuttle the vessel was likely due to its obsolescence and the expense of maintaining older ships in a modernizing fleet.

Current Condition & Accessibility

•Depth: At 250 feet (76 meters), the wreck is situated in deep water, requiring advanced technical diving skills and appropriate equipment.

•Integrity: The wreck is largely intact, offering valuable insights into early 20th-century shipbuilding and maritime commerce. Over time, it has become encrusted with aquatic life, adding ecological interest to its historical significance.

•Access Challenges: Deep water, strong currents, and cold temperatures make this site suitable only for trained technical divers.

Resources & Links

For additional historical details and diving information:

•Maritime History of the Great Lakes

•Preserve Our Wrecks Kingston

•Kingston Diving Resources

Conclusion

The LONDONDERRY is a compelling site that offers both a glimpse into the maritime history of Lake Ontario and a challenging destination for technical divers. Its evolution from the QUEBEC (2) to its scuttling in the Amherst Island Graveyard reflects the industrial and operational shifts in Great Lakes shipping. The wreck now stands as a submerged testament to an era of maritime resilience and transformation.

Keywords:

•LONDONDERRY

•QUEBEC (2)

•Amherst Island wrecks

•Lake Ontario shipwrecks

•Maritime archaeology

•Great Lakes shipping history

•Deep diving locations