Unidentified Scuttled Hull – Amherst Island Graveyard

Identification & Site Information

•Name: Unidentified Scuttled Hull (possibly MAPLEGORGE, formerly IONIA/FAIRFAX)

•Type: Bulk Propeller (Steam Screw Vessel)

•Dimensions: Length: 210 feet (64 meters)

•Depth at Wreck Site: 70 feet (21 meters)

•Location: Amherst Island Graveyard, Lake Ontario

•Coordinates: Not explicitly provided but part of the mapped scuttled vessels near Amherst Island.

Vessel Type Description

The unidentified wreck is a bulk propeller vessel, likely part of the Kingston Inner Harbour clean-up in the 1920s. This scuttling operation targeted obsolete vessels to clear space and modernize the harbor. Its characteristics—size, location, and construction—suggest a resemblance to the MAPLEGORGE, a steel-hulled vessel originally launched as the IONIA in 1890 at Grand Haven, Michigan.

Historical Background

The wreck’s possible association with the MAPLEGORGE reflects its journey through several transformations:

1.IONIA (1890-1912):

•Built in Grand Haven, Michigan, and powered by a compound steam engine.

•Experienced a major collision shortly after launch but was repaired and continued in service.

2.FAIRFAX (1912-1920):

•Acquired by new owners and renamed, serving on the Great Lakes as freight demand grew.

3.MAPLEGORGE (1920-1925):

•Renamed and operated under Canada Steamship Lines until its retirement in 1925.

4.Scuttling (1925):

•The vessel was dismantled and scuttled near Amherst Island as part of the Kingston Harbor clean-up.

This timeline aligns with records of vessels disposed of in the Amherst Island Graveyard.

Final Disposition

The unidentified Hull, potentially the MAPLEGORGE, was scuttled deliberately in 1925. It lies in the Amherst Island Graveyard amidst other decommissioned vessels, forming part of a unique underwater archaeological site.

Current Condition & Accessibility

•Depth: 70 feet (21 meters), accessible to recreational divers with moderate experience.

•Condition: Structural degradation typical of scuttled ships, though recognizable features such as Hull outlines and propulsion elements may remain intact.

•Caution: Divers should be aware of potential entanglement risks and scattered debris from other wrecks in the area.

Resources & Links

•Divehub.ca: Information about diving access and conditions for Amherst Island wrecks.

•Historical Collections of the Great Lakes (HCGL): Ship histories and archival records.

•Queens University Photo & Video Archive: Documentation of scuttled vessels, including possible footage of this wreck.

•Preserve Our Wrecks Kingston: Advocacy and resources for preserving shipwrecks in the Kingston area.

Keywords

•Unidentified wreck

•Amherst Island Graveyard

•IONIA, FAIRFAX, MAPLEGORGE

•Kingston Harbor clean-up

•Lake Ontario shipwrecks

•Great Lakes maritime history

Analysis

The unidentified Hull in the Amherst Island Graveyard exemplifies the early 20th-century practices of ship disposal, reflecting the transition from older bulk propeller vessels to modernized shipping fleets. The wreck’s probable identity as the MAPLEGORGE adds historical depth to the site, tracing a path from active service to its final resting place.

For divers and historians, this wreck serves as a tangible connection to the industrial evolution of Great Lakes maritime commerce. The Amherst Island Graveyard, as a collective site, offers unparalleled opportunities to explore and preserve the underwater legacy of a vital shipping era.