Identification & Site Information

•Type: Submerged Vehicle (Wooden Train Carts)

•Depth: 55 – 70 feet (17 – 21 metres)

•Location: Fenelon Falls, Ontario

•Description:

•Train Cart 1: Lies flat on the riverbed, fully intact with all four wheels and wooden frame.

•Train Cart 2: Positioned almost vertically against the river wall; also retains its wheels and wooden frame.

•Train Cart 3: More fragmented but retains the general structure and features of the other carts.

•Other Features: A 50-foot (15-metre) limestone wall with overhangs, crevasses, and unique formations.

Access

•Parking: Near Francis Street East where it bends left. Park in a car-sized clearing but ensure respect for private property.

•Entry: Walk down to the water and begin a 100-metre swim along the overhead powerlines.

•Underwater Navigation:

•Swim to the other bank.

•Follow the river upstream between two cottages north of the powerlines.

•Submerge and locate the train carts on the left-hand side of the riverbed.

Visibility & Dive Conditions

•Visibility: 20 feet (6 metres). The tea-coloured water is caused by tannic acid, which absorbs light, necessitating a high-powered dive light.

•Current: Potentially moderate depending on the season.

•Bothttps://shotlinediving.com/wp-content/uploads/52895851813_b64678c0f7_c.jpg Conditions: Stable with minimal silt due to the limestone substrate.

Historical Context

The train carts likely date back to the late 19th century, tied to the operations of the J.D. Lowry & Sons sawmill, which was destroyed by fire on June 19, 1896. The fire, located at the present site of the Sobeys grocery store below the dam and Lock, may have resulted in these train carts being pushed into the gorge to save sawn lumber.

Supporting Evidence:

•The carts’ location does not align with the theory that they fell from the railway bridge above the dam and Lock.

•A spur railway track from the sawmill to the main line likely facilitated the disposal of these carts during the fire.

Final Disposition

The train carts remain submerged in Fenelon Falls as remnants of the region’s industrial past. The site’s unique features, including the limestone wall and the intact carts, offer a fascinating glimpse into the logging and milling history of the late 19th century.

Access Advisory

•Private Property: Respect the surrounding private properties. Limit time onshore.

•Safety: Dive with a partner and use a high-powered light due to low Visibility and tannic water.

Resources & Links

•Fenelon Falls Train Station

•Explore Fenelon Falls on Facebook

•Shotline’s Mark Turezki in the Peterborough News

•Fanthom’s Youtube Video

•Personal Correspondence SLD/Bob Reid (June 2024)

Conclusion

The submerged train carts at Fenelon Falls serve as an intriguing underwater historical site, highlighting the industrial heritage of the area. Their presumed connection to the 1896 fire at J.D. Lowry & Sons sawmill ties them to a significant local event. Divers visiting this site not only explore unique underwater features but also engage with a piece of Ontario’s industrial history.

Keywords

•#FenelonFalls

•#TrainCarts

•#UnderwaterArchaeology

•#LoggingIndustry

•#19thCenturyHistory

•#TannicAcidDiving

•#OntarioDiveSite

•#LimestoneWall

•#SubmergedArtifacts

•#GreatLakesHistory