MAPLEGORGE, IONIA, FAIRFAX C111966

IDENTIFICATION & SITE INFORMATION #

VESSEL TYPE DESCRIPTION #

The vessel is an unidentified bulk propeller, possibly a steam screw vessel, scuttled as part of the Kingston Inner Harbour clean-up in the 1920s. While its exact identity remains uncertain, its dimensions and historical context suggest it could be related to other vessels of similar size and purpose that were retired and scuttled in the same period.

HISTORY #

The history provided describes the IONIA, a steam screw vessel launched in 1890 at Grand Haven. With dimensions similar to the unidentified wreck, the IONIA had a length of 209 feet and was powered by a locally-built compound steam engine. After its launch, the IONIA experienced a significant collision in 1890 but was repaired and continued service.

The vessel changed ownership multiple times, becoming the FAIRFAX in 1912 and then MAPLEGORGE in 1920 under Canada Steamship Lines. After being laid up in Kingston at the end of the 1920 season, the MAPLEGORGE was dismantled and scuttled off Amherst Island in 1925, possibly during the same clean-up operation that led to the scuttling of the unidentified hull.

FINAL DISPOSITION #

The unidentified hull, potentially the MAPLEGORGE, was scuttled in the Amherst Island Graveyard as part of a broader effort to clear obsolete vessels from Kingston’s harbor in the 1920s. The wreck now lies at a depth of 70 feet, within the coordinates provided.

CURRENT CONDITION & ACCESSIBILITY #

The wreck is accessible to divers, lying in relatively shallow water at 70 feet. The condition of the hull is likely typical of scuttled vessels of the period, with significant degradation but still recognizable structural features. Divers should approach the site with caution due to potential entanglement hazards and the possible presence of debris from other scuttled vessels in the graveyard.

RESOURCES & LINKS #

• Divehub.ca Dive Site Information: Provides information for divers about accessing and exploring wreck sites in the Amherst Island Graveyard.
• Historical Collections of the Great Lakes (HCGL): A valuable resource for historical data and ship histories related to the Great Lakes.
• Queens University Video Tape Holdings POW Photo Project 1998: An archival project that includes footage and photographs of wrecks, including those in the Amherst Island Graveyard.
• Vlada Dekina Photogallery 2002: A photographic archive related to shipwrecks in Lake Ontario.

KEYWORDS #

• IONIA
• FAIRFAX
• MAPLEGORGE
• Amherst Island Graveyard
• Kingston Harbour clean-up
• Great Lakes shipwrecks
• Lake Ontario diving
• Scuttled vessels

ANALYSIS #

The unidentified hull in the Amherst Island Graveyard is representative of the many vessels that were deliberately scuttled in the early 20th century as part of harbor clean-up operations. The historical trajectory of the IONIA, later known as MAPLEGORGE, aligns with the fate of many such vessels—serving multiple roles over their lifetimes before being retired and sunk. The wreck offers insights into the maritime practices of the time, particularly regarding vessel disposal and the evolution of shipping technology. The presence of this and other wrecks in the Amherst Island Graveyard provides an important underwater archaeological site, preserving the history of the Great Lakes shipping industry.