Site Description #
- Schooner
- 95ft (30m)
- 92 x 22
- N43 55 900 W76 44 269 Lake Ontario
History #
The schooner, built in 1871 in Picton, Ontario, had a single deck and was owned by Walter Ross from Picton. It was constructed by W. Redman and had two masts. The hull dimensions were 92 feet 4 inches in length, 22 feet in beam, and 8 feet in depth. With a gross tonnage of 160 and a net tonnage of 121, it was primarily used for transportation purposes.
Tragically, on September 30, 1880, the schooner met its final fate. It foundered and capsized in a gale, sinking approximately 4 miles east of False Duck Islands in Lake Ontario. At the time, it was carrying a cargo of 200 tons of coal. Regrettably, the entire crew of five was lost in the incident.
The history of ownership for the schooner includes various individuals and locations. It was initially owned by Thomas Wellbanks and others from South Marysburg, Ontario, starting from October 1, 1871. Ownership subsequently transferred to Joseph Dix of Garden Island, Ontario, on February 29, 1872, followed by Christopher Harris of Storrington, Ontario, on March 8, 1872. Christopher Harris, along with others, continued to own the schooner until April 18, 1876. From February 28, 1877, the ownership changed hands once again, this time to Andrew Ault and others from Kingston, Ontario.
The final moments of the schooner’s demise caused significant commotion and garnered attention from other vessels in the vicinity. Reports indicate that the captains of three other crafts witnessed the schooner’s final plunge. Although they were too far away to provide an accurate description or offer assistance, they observed that the schooner, a fore-and-after type, only had a portion of the foresail and jib as its remaining canvas. The heavy sea conditions and visible distress of the vessel hinted at the impending tragedy. It remains unclear whether the schooner capsized or filled with water and sank.
Confirmation of the incident came from multiple sources. The captains of the Huron, Fitzhugh, and Augusta reported seeing a schooner ahead of them, which suddenly disappeared around noon. They concluded that a disaster had occurred. Their accounts were supported by the captain of the schooner Dudley, who spotted the topmast of a vessel above water as he sailed toward Kingston later that afternoon.
3D Model – Corey Phillips CC 2023 #
Diving the Olive Branch #
Upon reaching the deck, you’ll immediately notice a saucer in pristine condition, serving as a unique and memorable feature of the wreck. Unlike other wrecks that may be fragmented, the OLIVE BRANCH remains remarkably preserved. Exploring further, you’ll come across intriguing artifacts such as the sole of a shoe, iron objects, a large anchor, and masts on the starboard side that are impeccably maintained.
One of the highlights of the dive is discovering the ship’s wheel still in its original position, providing a glimpse into the vessel’s past and evoking a sense of history. The wreck sits upright at the base of a shoal, creating a picturesque underwater scene. The OLIVE BRANCH offers divers the opportunity to explore an intact wreck where much of its equipment, including deadeyes, steering wheel, anchors, and blocks, can still be found on board.
Water Conditions: The visibility at the OLIVE BRANCH dive site can vary, ranging from 10 to 60 feet (3 to 18 meters). The water temperatures in this area typically range from the high 30s to mid 40s Fahrenheit (4 to 7 degrees Celsius). Divers should come prepared with appropriate thermal protection to ensure a comfortable and enjoyable dive experience.
Photo Gallery 2021 Matthew Charlesworth CC #
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