Other Names #
- THEMIS
The BALTIC BELLE, originally built as THEMIS in 1918 in Lysekil, Sweden, met its demise in 1956 in the lagoon behind Algonquin Island, Toronto, on Lake Ontario. The vessel was a powered wooden fishing boat with a single mast. It had dimensions of 46 feet in length, 18 feet in width, and 5 feet in depth, with a gross tonnage of 25 tons and a net tonnage of 17 tons.
The exact circumstances of the loss are uncertain, but it is believed to have occurred during a storm. The BALTIC BELLE sank in the lagoon and was never recovered. To this day, the remains of the vessel can still be seen below the surface. The owner of the boat was R. G. Turner of Ward’s Island.
The BALTIC BELLE has an interesting history. It is believed that the vessel arrived in Canada, possibly in the 1940s, and played a role in transporting refugees from the Baltic states who were fleeing the newly established Communist regimes in the region. The boat may have been renamed upon its arrival in Canada.
In an attempt to salvage the wreck, volunteers from two scuba diving clubs in Metro spent several hours trying to raise the BALTIC BELLE from the 25 feet of water between Ward’s and Algonquin Islands. However, their efforts were unsuccessful. They only managed to retrieve a small motorboat and miscellaneous debris. The 48-foot, 45-ton vessel remained submerged, resisting all salvage attempts.
The Canadian Red Cross Society, considering the sunken boat a navigational hazard, had initiated the salvage operation to raise awareness of Water Safety Week, which was scheduled for June 3-9. However, the salvage endeavor ended in frustration. Doreen Johnson, the director of public relations for the Red Cross, expressed regret over the situation.
Unfortunately, there is no available information regarding the loss of life or the cargo the BALTIC BELLE may have been carrying at the time of its sinking.
If you have any further questions, feel free to ask!
