IDENTIFICATION & SITE INFORMATION
VESSEL TYPE DESCRIPTION
The BALTIC BELLE was a wooden fishing boat, originally built with a single mast for propulsion. It was designed for fishing operations and had a powered engine to aid in its navigation. The vessel’s compact size and sturdy construction were typical of fishing boats of the era, capable of handling the rigors of both open water and coastal fishing activities. The single mast and simple rigging reflected its primary purpose as a functional fishing vessel rather than a cargo or passenger ship.
HISTORY
The vessel was originally built as THEMIS in 1918 in Lysekil, Sweden, and was later brought to Canada, possibly in the 1940s. It is believed that the BALTIC BELLE played a role in transporting refugees from the Baltic states fleeing Communist regimes during that period. Once in Canada, the vessel was renamed BALTIC BELLE and continued its operations, eventually being owned by R. G. Turner of Ward’s Island, Toronto.
FINAL DISPOSITION
In 1956, the BALTIC BELLE met its end in the lagoon behind Algonquin Island, Toronto, during a storm. The vessel sank in the lagoon, and despite attempts to salvage it, the efforts were unsuccessful. Volunteers from local scuba diving clubs spent hours trying to raise the BALTIC BELLE, but only managed to retrieve a small motorboat and debris. The 48-foot, 45-ton vessel remained submerged, resisting all salvage attempts. The vessel was left to rest on the lagoon bed, where it still remains today.
NOTMARs & ADVISORIES
There are no active Notices to Mariners (NOTMARs) currently associated with the BALTIC BELLE wreck site. However, the site has been considered a navigational hazard in the past, prompting the Canadian Red Cross Society to initiate salvage operations.
LOCATED BY & DATE
The wreck was not discovered in a traditional sense but was known to be in the lagoon behind Algonquin Island since it sank in 1956. It became more widely known during the unsuccessful salvage attempts in the late 1950s.
CURRENT CONDITION & ACCESSIBILITY
The BALTIC BELLE remains submerged in 25 feet of water, making it an accessible dive site for recreational divers. The wreck is largely intact, though time and the elements have taken their toll on the wooden structure. It is a popular site for local divers due to its historical significance and the relatively shallow depth, which allows for easier exploration.
RESOURCES & LINKS
- Maritime History of the Great Lakes
- Toronto Island Shipwrecks and History
- Dive Sites of Lake Ontario
- Canadian Red Cross Society – Historical Salvage Operations
Keywords:
BALTIC BELLE, THEMIS, Lake Ontario shipwreck, fishing boat, Toronto Island shipwrecks, Algonquin Island wreck, maritime history, wooden vessel, Canadian shipwrecks, diving sites Ontario.
