IDENTIFICATION & SITE INFORMATION
SITE DESCRIPTION
This site near Kingston Penitentiary Shoal features a large, single boiler resting on the lakebed. The boiler is likely a remnant from a 19th or early 20th-century steamship, which may have been lost during a salvage operation or accidentally fell off a ship. The shoal itself is a known navigational hazard in the area, and the boiler’s presence there is a testament to the many vessels that navigated these waters under challenging conditions.
HISTORY
The shoal near Kingston Penitentiary, which is directly on the route leading out to Lake Ontario, is historically significant. The shoal’s location made it a potential hazard for ships entering or leaving Kingston Harbor, particularly those involved in the heavy shipping activities of the time.
The boiler most likely belonged to a steamship that was either being salvaged or dismantled for scrapping, with the intention of transporting parts to one of the ship graveyards on Wolfe Island or Amherst Island. These islands were commonly used as final resting places for obsolete or damaged vessels during the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
Given its location and context, the boiler could have been lost overboard during transportation or deliberately discarded due to its large size and weight. The boiler’s presence at this site is consistent with the types of industrial artifacts commonly found near shipwrecks and maritime scrapyards.
FINAL DISPOSITION
The boiler now lies on the shoal near Kingston Penitentiary, where it has become a notable underwater feature. Its presence may have been a result of salvage operations gone awry, or it could have fallen off during transport to one of the nearby graveyards. The exact origin and the vessel it belonged to remain unidentified.
NOTMARs & ADVISORIES
There are no current Notices to Mariners specifically related to this boiler, but divers should exercise caution when exploring shoals and underwater hazards. The shoal is a known navigational hazard, so awareness of boat traffic and potential entanglements is essential.
LOCATED BY & DATE
The boiler’s precise date of discovery is not documented, but it is known to local divers and maritime historians who frequent the Kingston area. Its position on the shoal makes it a relatively accessible dive site for those interested in industrial and maritime archaeology.
CURRENT CONDITION & ACCESSIBILITY
The boiler is likely in a stable condition, though exposed to the elements and potential wear from the water and sediment over time. The site is shallow, making it accessible to divers of various experience levels, though care should be taken due to the shoal’s hazards.
RESOURCES & LINKS
- Maritime History of the Great Lakes – Kingston Penitentiary Shoal: Maritime History of the Great Lakes
- Wrecksite Database – Boiler Wreck: Wrecksite Database
- Kingston Diving Sites
- Great Lakes Shipwreck Research: Great Lakes Shipwreck Research
KEYWORDS
- Boiler Wreck, Kingston Penitentiary Shoal, Lake Ontario, Industrial Artifact, Salvage Operation, Wolfe Island, Amherst Island, Maritime History, Great Lakes.
ANALYSIS The single boiler located near Kingston Penitentiary Shoal is a significant artifact from the industrial maritime history of Lake Ontario. Boilers were critical components of steamships, and their presence on the lakebed often marks the sites of shipwrecks or failed salvage operations. The boiler’s proximity to Kingston Penitentiary Shoal, a known navigational hazard, suggests that it may have been lost during transport or salvaging. The site is accessible and offers a tangible connection to the industrial past of the region, making it a valuable point of interest for divers and historians alike.
