Location: Cedar Island, St. Lawrence River, Ontario, Canada
Coordinates: N 44°13.468′ W 76°27.976′
Depth: Not specified
Object Description: Upside Down Vehicle Wreck (Potentially a 1950s Dodge 3/4 ton APT)
Historical Context:
By 1953, the Canadian government decided to dispose of its reserve stock of Armored Personnel Transporters (APT) and offered 1,138 vehicles as part of the 1953-54 Canadian Mutual Aid Program. These vehicles, described as “reconditioned and in Class 1 condition,” were made available to NATO partner countries. As newer models like the M37 CDN SMP became available, the remaining APTs in service across Canada were gradually phased out. Many of these surplus vehicles were sold to civilian buyers.
By 1956, the Canadian Army had disposed of all remaining APT spare parts, marking the end of the Dodge 3/4 ton APT’s use in the Canadian military.
Final Disposition:
The wreck at Cedar Island, positioned upside down, appears to be one of these surplus vehicles. Given the timeline and the disposal efforts by the Canadian military, it’s possible that this vehicle was either dumped or accidentally lost in the river during transport or after being sold to a civilian buyer. The vehicle now lies submerged at the specified coordinates, adding to the underwater historical artifacts in the area.
Historical Paragraph Article: The End of the Dodge 3/4 Ton APT Era #
In the post-World War II years, the Canadian Army maintained a stockpile of Dodge 3/4 ton Armored Personnel Transporters (APT) as part of its military reserve. These vehicles were crucial during the war and in the years immediately following, offering robust transport capabilities for personnel and equipment. However, by 1953, advancements in military vehicle technology and the availability of newer models like the M37 CDN SMP led Canada to phase out the aging APTs.
In a significant move, Canada offered 1,138 of these vehicles as part of the Canadian Mutual Aid Program for the 1953-54 period, aiding NATO partners by providing reconditioned, Class 1 condition vehicles. The remaining APTs still in service across Canada were gradually phased out and sold as surplus to civilian buyers, marking the end of an era for these workhorse vehicles.
By 1956, the Canadian military had completely disposed of its APT spare parts inventory, officially ending the use of the Dodge 3/4 ton APT. One of these surplus vehicles, now lying upside down on the riverbed near Cedar Island, serves as a poignant reminder of this transitional period in Canadian military history. The wreck is not just a submerged artifact but a symbol of the post-war evolution of military technology and the repurposing of wartime assets for civilian use.
