Identification & Site Information

•Vessel Name: Unidentified Hull – Wreck 6

•Location: Portsmouth Harbour, near Kingston, Ontario

•Coordinates: 44°06.944’N, 76°33.758’W

•Event: Scuttled during Portsmouth Harbour cleanup in the 1930s

•Depth: Shallow (exact depth not specified, typical for graveyard sites)

Vessel Type Description

Wreck 6 is an unidentified Hull, likely representative of the many vessels intentionally scuttled during the cleanup of Portsmouth Harbour in the 1930s. Like other wrecks in the area, the vessel had been stripped of valuable materials and Abandoned as part of efforts to declutter and maintain navigable waters. Its unidentifiable state leaves its original function and design a mystery. The wreck likely served as a commercial or utility vessel before being discarded.

History

Portsmouth Harbour Cleanup (1930s)

In the 1930s, Portsmouth Harbour underwent a comprehensive cleanup to remove derelict and obsolete vessels. This initiative sought to improve harbor safety, navigation, and aesthetics by clearing away accumulated shipwrecks and Abandoned ships. Wreck 6 is one of the vessels disposed of in this operation, joining several others in the graveyard site.

Scuttling vessels in designated areas was a practical and economical solution for disposal, especially for ships deemed too expensive or unnecessary to dismantle on land. These graveyard sites became a resting place for various types of ships, each contributing to the maritime history of Kingston and Lake Ontario.

Final Disposition

•Resting Place: Wreck 6 is submerged at the bothttps://shotlinediving.com/wp-content/uploads/52895851813_b64678c0f7_c.jpg of Portsmouth Harbour.

•Condition: Over decades, natural forces have deteriorated the Hull. Sedimentation and aquatic growth obscure any identifiable features.

•Significance: As part of the broader collection of scuttled vessels, Wreck 6 adds to the historical narrative of Kingston’s maritime heritage, despite its anonymity.

Current Condition & Accessibility

•Condition:

The wreck is heavily encrusted with marine life and sediment, making detailed exploration challenging. Structural integrity is likely compromised, with much of the Hull buried or fragmented.

•Accessibility:

The shallow location makes it suitable for divers of varying experience levels. While individual features of Wreck 6 may not offer much detail, the site forms part of a larger underwater graveyard landscape of historical interest.

Resources & Links

1.Maritime History of the Great Lakes:

Provides insights into shipwrecks and the cleanup initiatives of Kingston Harbour.

Maritime History of the Great Lakes

2.Save Ontario Shipwrecks (SOS):

Advocates for the preservation of Ontario’s underwater heritage, including graveyard sites like Portsmouth Harbour.

Save Ontario Shipwrecks

3.NOAA Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary:

A source of best practices in shipwreck preservation and historical study.

Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary

4.Wrecksite EU:

Comprehensive database for documenting and researching shipwrecks worldwide.

Wrecksite EU

Conclusion

The Unidentified Hull – Wreck 6 stands as a fragment of Portsmouth Harbour’s history, symbolizing the maritime activity and cleanup efforts that shaped the region during the early 20th century. While its individual identity may remain unknown, the wreck contributes to the collective story of Kingston’s waterfront and the broader legacy of ship graveyards in Lake Ontario.

Tags

#PortsmouthHarbourWreck

#UnidentifiedHull

#KingstonOntarioShipwrecks

#GreatLakesMaritimeHistory

#SaveOntarioShipwrecks

#UnderwaterGraveyard