Identification & Site Information

•Wreck Name: Unnamed “Maplenamed” Vessel (Nicknamed “Queen Mary”)

•Type: Steamer, Bulk Propeller

•Dimensions:

•Length: 220 feet (67.06 meters)

•Depth at Wreck Site: Not specified

•Location: Amherst Island Graveyard, Lake Ontario

•Coordinates: N 44° 08.696’, W 76° 36.921’

Vessel Type Description

The “Queen Mary” was part of the “Maplenamed” series of vessels under Canada Steamship Lines, functioning as a bulk Propeller Steamer. These vessels were integral to the Great Lakes shipping economy, transporting coal, grain, and other bulk goods. With a length of 220 feet, the “Queen Mary” was a prominent figure in regional maritime operations, likely serving as a reliable cargo carrier in its time.

History

The “Queen Mary” was scuttled in 1925 during the cleanup of Kingston’s Inner Harbour, a project aimed at removing obsolete vessels from service. As part of the Amherst Island Graveyard, the “Queen Mary” joined other retired ships in a deliberate sinking operation. While specific operational records for the “Queen Mary” are sparse, its size and probable affiliation with Canada Steamship Lines suggest it played a significant role in Great Lakes shipping during its operational years.

The practice of scuttling vessels like the “Queen Mary” was common in the early 20th century as older ships were replaced by more efficient, modern vessels. The nickname “Queen Mary” could reflect the vessel’s stature or importance within its fleet, drawing parallels to its more famous namesake ocean liner.

Final Disposition

The “Queen Mary” rests within the Amherst Island Graveyard at the specified coordinates. The scuttling marked the end of its service life, and it remains part of a collection of vessels deliberately sunk in the area.

Current Condition & Accessibility

The wreck of the “Queen Mary” is accessible to divers but may present typical challenges of exploring graveyard sites. The vessel likely lies in a degraded state, with debris scattered from the scuttling process. Limited Visibility and potential entanglement hazards are common concerns in such environments.

Important Considerations for Divers:

•The wreck lies in the Amherst Island Graveyard, where several other vessels were scuttled, making it a site of significant historical interest.

•Divers should be cautious of remnants from the scuttling process and respect the historical nature of the site.

Resources & Links

•Divehub.ca: Dive site information for Amherst Island Graveyard wrecks.

•Historical Collections of the Great Lakes (HCGL): Detailed historical ship records and vessel histories.

•Queens University Video Tape Holdings POW Photo Project 1998: Archival footage and photographs documenting the graveyard.

•Vlada Dekina Photogallery 2002: A collection of photographs, potentially featuring the “Queen Mary.”

Keywords

•Queen Mary

•Maplenamed Vessel

•Amherst Island Graveyard

•Kingston Harbour Clean-up

•Great Lakes Shipwrecks

•Lake Ontario Diving

•Scuttled Vessels

•Canada Steamship Lines

Analysis

The “Queen Mary” serves as an enduring artifact of early 20th-century maritime history, particularly the shift toward modernized shipping fleets on the Great Lakes. Its inclusion in the Amherst Island Graveyard underscores the transitional period in shipping technologies and practices. For divers, the wreck offers a unique opportunity to explore a vessel tied to the evolution of Great Lakes commerce. As part of Canada Steamship Lines’ “Maplenamed” fleet, the “Queen Mary” was likely a vital contributor to the region’s economic growth during its operational years.

The Amherst Island Graveyard, with its collection of scuttled vessels, remains an essential site for understanding the maritime heritage of Lake Ontario and its surrounding areas.