GEORGE A MARSH C133750

Site Description #

Stats #

Site Write Up #

Witness the imposing wheel, the impressive bow measuring approximately 20 meters (65 feet) in length, and the anchor winch that tells tales of the ship’s history. As you descend to depths of about 26 meters (85 feet) in the crystal-clear waters of Lake Ontario, you’ll encounter the remnants of its cargo, scattered tools, and the distinct dead eyes, though now mostly covered in zebra mussels.

The deck boards, still visible amidst the marine life, span the length of the ship. Marvel at an assortment of pulleys, wheels, and chains strewn across the ships deck, offering a fascinating glimpse into the ship’s intricate inner workings.

Prepare to brave the cold embrace of the water, with temperatures ranging between 5-6°C (41-43°F), occasionally warming up to 13°C (55°F) in a thermocline. Delve into the depths of the lake, enjoying excellent visibility in the range of 9-12 meters (30-40 feet).

To comfortably explore this dive site, ensure you don a complete 7mm exposure suit, complete with gloves, hood, and booties. Don’t forget to carry a dive light (torch) to illuminate the underwater marvels and capture the details of the shipwreck.

For optimal safety and experience, choose your breathing gas wisely. Opt for either 32% nitrox or compressed air, catering to your comfort and familiarity. However, exercise caution as you navigate through the zebra mussels that adorn the wreck. Their sharp edges can easily damage your exposure suit, so move with care and respect the underwater habitat. Immerse yourself in the captivating history of the GEORGE A MARSH while embracing the challenges and beauty that this dive site has to offer.

Downloadable Site Maps #

Certainly, providing copyrighted sitemaps for the GEORGE A MARSH under a Creative Commons Non-Derivative 4.0 (CCND4) license is a reasonable approach. This license allows individuals to freely share, distribute, and print the document for non-commercial purposes, as long as it is not modified in any way and credit is given to the original source. This allows for easy dissemination of the information while ensuring that the document’s integrity is maintained and not exploited for profit.

• For logbooks and mailings Dive Site Map – George A Marsh  
• For Dive Briefings –  Dive SIte Map – George A Marsh – Large

History #

The George A. Marsh, a schooner with a gross tonnage of 174, was built in Muskegon, Michigan, in 1882 by Footlander. Measuring 118.0 feet in length, 36.0 feet in width, and 9.0 feet in depth, it was enrolled in Grand Haven, Michigan, on June 17, 1882. In 1887, the vessel underwent a rebuilding process in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, resulting in increased dimensions of 139 x 26.33 x 8′ and a gross tonnage of 215.33. Further re-measurement took place in Chicago, Illinois, on April 12, 1892, yielding dimensions of 135′ x 26.5′ x 9′ and a gross tonnage of 202.12.

In 1914, the George A. Marsh was sold to a Canadian owner, Mr. J.B. Flint of Belleville, Ontario. The vessel obtained Canadian registration number 133750 and was listed with dimensions of 132′ x 26′ x 8.5′ and a gross tonnage of 220. The ship primarily operated in the Southeastern Ontario town of Belleville, making trips across Lake Ontario and calling on ports such as Oswego, New York.

On August 8, 1917, the George A. Marsh embarked on a journey from American waters to Kingston, Ontario, carrying a crucial cargo of coal for Rockwood Hospital. The vessel, with a crew of fourteen, including Captain C.J. Smith, his wife, and their children, encountered a violent storm on Lake Ontario. Despite their efforts to navigate through the treacherous conditions, the ship succumbed to the relentless pounding of wind and waves. The schooner’s seams opened, allowing water to flood in rapidly, overwhelming the pumps. With its buoyancy lost, the George A. Marsh sank into the depths of Lake Ontario, just within sight of its intended destination.

PhotoGallery Tom Rutledge #

Sinking #

The last moments of the ship’s life were undoubtedly terrifying for the crew and passengers. The storm raged, the ship rocked violently, and the darkness of night hampered their efforts. As the vessel sank, some individuals were thrown into the frigid waters. A yawl was launched, and two men managed to climb aboard, but tragically, they were unable to rescue others struggling in the water. Ultimately, twelve out of the fourteen people on board lost their lives, including the captain, his family, Mrs. McLennan and her baby, McLennan’s nephew, and George’s cousins.

The George A. Marsh came to rest upright in 80 feet of water, with only its masts visible above the surface. Although valued at $5,500 at the time of sinking, the decision was made not to salvage the ship due to the high cost involved. Over the next fifty years, the vessel remained forgotten, lying alongside its masts at the bottom of Lake Ontario.

SLD Video Archives – Adam Rushton on Camera #

Sources and External LInks #

• Save Ontario Shipwrecks Buoy Status Page
• Wikipedia
• Bowling Green State University
• Canadian Geographic
• Marmus List Post – Maurice Smith
• Herman Runge List
• Toronto Globe, August 9, 1917, p.1
• Toronto Globe, August 10, 1917, p.3
• Daily British Whig, Saturday, August 11, 1917
• Belleville (Ont) Daily Intelligencer, August 13, 1917
• Toronto Globe, Tuesday, August 21, 1917
• Maritime History of the Great Lakes
• Great Lakes Ships