Identification & Site Information

• • Wreck Name: Munson
• • Vessel Type: Wooden Dredge Barge
• • Length: 100 feet (30 meters)
• • Depth: 110 feet (33 meters)
• • Location: Lemoine Point, Kingston, Lake Ontario
• • Coordinates: N44°12.5690’, W76°36.4960’

Vessel Type Description

The Munson was a wooden Dredge Barge designed to maintain harbor entrances and ensure navigable waterways by clearing debris and deepening channels. These vessels were vital during the 19th century for supporting the construction of ports, bridges, and other maritime infrastructure. Equipped with a steam-powered shovel, the Munson was a critical asset for dredging operations across the Great Lakes.

History

Construction and Service

Owned by E.A. Munson of Cobourg, Ontario, the Munson operated extensively on the Great Lakes, performing vital dredging and construction work. The Dredge was particularly significant for harbor preparation, such as its role in clearing Kingston Harbor for the launch of the Minnedosa, the largest Schooner ever built on the Great Lakes.

Final Voyage

On April 29, 1890, the Munson was en route from Kingston to Rossmore for bridge construction on the Bay of Quinte. Towed by the Tug Emma Munson and accompanied by two scows, the vessel began to list near Lemoine Point due to a leak the crew had underestimated.

Critical Events:

• • The crew severed the towlines to save the Tug and scows.
• • The Munson sank rapidly within four minutes, listing beam-ends first and descending to the lakebed.
• • The ship’s cook, the only person aboard at the time, narrowly escaped. Pulled underwater by the sinking vessel’s suction, he surfaced and was rescued by the Tug crew.

The sinking caused a Total Loss valued at $15,000, with no insurance coverage. The cause of the rapid sinking was determined to be a sprung plank at the bottom of the vessel.

Rediscovery

In 1981, diver Rick Neilson rediscovered the wreck of the Munson. Resting upright at a depth of 110 feet, the wreck is remarkably intact. The steam shovel remains visible, with its arm partially articulated on the lakebed. Artifacts such as plates, bottles, and other remnants of daily life aboard the vessel are scattered around, offering insights into the late 19th-century maritime world.

Current Condition & Accessibility

The Munson is a popular site for advanced divers due to its historical significance and excellent preservation. However, the depth and silt-laden conditions require proper training and careful diving techniques.

Diving Notes:

• • Depth of 110 feet necessitates advanced certification and equipment.
• • Visibility can be reduced by disturbing the silt layer covering the wreck.
• • Divers are encouraged to practice “leave no trace” principles to preserve the site.

Legacy

The Munson embodies the critical role of dredging vessels in the development of Great Lakes commerce and infrastructure. Its story also highlights the inherent risks of maritime work during the 19th century. As a well-preserved wreck, it serves as both a historical artifact and a poignant reminder of the perils faced by those who worked on the Great Lakes.

Photo Galleries & Video

• Video: Shotline Diving Productions, 2024

References & Further Reading

• Maritime History of the Great Lakes https://www.maritimehistoryofthegreatlakes.ca
• Rick Neilson’s Contributions: Rediscovery and documentation of the Munson site. Co-editor of NTDMM Shipwrecks of the Great Lakes Vol. 1 (1999).
• British Whig (Kingston, ON) Archival articles documenting the sinking of the Munson.
• David Swayze Shipwreck File: Comprehensive records of Great Lakes shipwrecks.

Conclusion

The Munson is a time capsule of Great Lakes history, providing divers and historians with a unique window into the past. While it rests silently on the bothttps://shotlinediving.com/wp-content/uploads/52895851813_b64678c0f7_c.jpg of Lake Ontario, its story lives on, serving as a reminder of the courage and resilience of those who worked on the water. Respectful exploration of the wreck ensures its preservation for future generations.

Tags

#MunsonWreck #LakeOntario #GreatLakesShipwreck #Dredge #KingstonHistory #UnderwaterArchaeology #MaritimeHistory #WreckDiving