Identification & Site Information

Name: MAPLEGREEN (formerly OMAHA)

Type: Propeller Vessel

Dimensions:

•Length: 222.8 feet (67.91 meters)

•Width: 34.8 feet (10.61 meters)

•Depth: 18.7 feet (5.7 meters)

Depth at Wreck Site: Unknown (Amherst Island Graveyard)

Location: Amherst Island Graveyard, Lake Ontario

Coordinates: Specific location within the Amherst Island Graveyard not documented.

Vessel Type Description

The MAPLEGREEN, originally launched as the OMAHA, was a significant propeller-driven vessel built in 1887 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. With a Gross Tonnage of 1,251 tons and Net Tonnage of 800 tons, it was powered by a 66-horsepower engine, supporting its role as a cargo vessel on the Great Lakes. Registered under the official Canadian number 134350, the vessel’s homeport was Montreal, Quebec, under the ownership of Canada Steamship Lines.

History

The MAPLEGREEN had a storied history punctuated by incidents, changes in ownership, and eventual obsolescence. Originally named OMAHA, the ship served in various roles under multiple owners, including the John Fitzgerald estate and the Sidney O. Neff Company.

Key Events:

•1891: Stranded on Gray’s Reef, Lake Huron.

•1896: Stranded on a reef off Devil’s Island, Lake Michigan.

•1914: Sold to foreign interests, with enrollment surrendered in Ogdensburg, New York.

•1920: Renamed MAPLEGREEN under Canada Steamship Lines ownership.

•1924: Retired from active service and Abandoned in 1925.

The vessel was scuttled near Amherst Island as part of a broader effort to dispose of outdated ships from Kingston Harbour during the 1920s. It now rests in the Amherst Island Graveyard alongside other retired vessels.

Final Disposition

The MAPLEGREEN was deliberately scuttled in the Amherst Island Graveyard, a known repository for obsolete vessels. Its scuttling was part of a clean-up initiative to remove retired ships from Kingston’s harbor.

Current Condition & Accessibility

The precise condition and location of the MAPLEGREEN within the Amherst Island Graveyard are unknown. The site is known for its challenging conditions, including debris, limited Visibility, and potentially difficult navigation. Divers interested in exploring this underwater graveyard should prepare for such challenges and consult dive resources for guidance.

Resources & Links

•Divehub.ca Dive Site Information: Overview of the Amherst Island Graveyard.

•Historical Collections of the Great Lakes (HCGL): Archives on vessel histories, including the MAPLEGREEN.

•Queens University Video Tape Holdings POW Photo Project (1998): Visual documentation of wrecks in the area.

•Vlada Dekina Photogallery (2002): Underwater photographs of Lake Ontario shipwrecks.

Keywords

•MAPLEGREEN

•OMAHA

•Amherst Island Graveyard

•Great Lakes shipwrecks

•Canada Steamship Lines

•Lake Ontario diving

•Scuttled vessels

•Kingston Harbour clean-up

Analysis

The MAPLEGREEN serves as a narrative vessel within the broader story of Great Lakes maritime history. Initially constructed for cargo transport, the vessel underwent significant changes throughout its life, reflecting the dynamic nature of the shipping industry. The ship’s transition from OMAHA to MAPLEGREEN under Canadian ownership and its eventual scuttling highlight the lifecycle of vessels during this era.

Today, the wreck is part of the Amherst Island Graveyard, an underwater site of historical importance and a point of interest for divers. While its exact location and condition are unclear, the MAPLEGREEN remains a symbol of the region’s maritime legacy, lying silent among other relics of the Great Lakes shipping industry.