Unidentified Hull – Wreck TR

IDENTIFICATION & SITE INFORMATION #

• Vessel Name: Unidentified Scuttled Hull
• Location: Wolfe Island Graveyard, near Kingston, Ontario
• Coordinates: 44° 07.06′ N, 076° 33.57′ W
• Event: Part of the Portsmouth Harbour cleanup in the 1930s
• Depth: Varies (Generally shallow, typical of a graveyard site)

VESSEL TYPE DESCRIPTION #

The scuttled hull at Wolfe Island Graveyard is one of several vessels that were deliberately sunk during the 1930s as part of a broader effort to clean up Portsmouth Harbour and the surrounding waters. These vessels were typically older ships that had outlived their usefulness, and they were stripped of valuable materials before being scuttled. The remains include the basic hull structure, which has likely become heavily encrusted with marine life over time.

HISTORY #

The 1930s cleanup of Portsmouth Harbour was a significant effort to remove derelict and obsolete vessels that had accumulated over the years. Wolfe Island Graveyard, located near Kingston, Ontario, became the final resting place for several of these scuttled hulls. This particular hull, like others in the area, was likely considered no longer seaworthy or valuable and was therefore disposed of in this manner.

The use of graveyard sites like Wolfe Island was a common practice during this era, providing a convenient and cost-effective way to manage the disposal of unwanted ships. Over time, these scuttled hulls became part of the underwater landscape, offering a glimpse into the maritime history of the region.

FINAL DISPOSITION #

The hull now lies at the Wolfe Island Graveyard, where it has settled into the lakebed and likely become covered in sediment and aquatic growth. As with many other wrecks in graveyard sites, it has gradually deteriorated over the decades but remains a point of interest for divers and historians.

CURRENT CONDITION & ACCESSIBILITY #

The site is accessible to divers, though visibility and conditions can vary depending on the weather and time of year. The shallow depth of the wreck makes it relatively easy to explore, although the structure may be fragile due to its age and the environmental conditions.

RESOURCES & LINKS #

1. Maritime History of the Great Lakes

   • Database with information on various shipwrecks and maritime incidents, providing context for scuttled hulls like the one at Wolfe Island.
   • Maritime History of the Great Lakes

2. NOAA Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary

   • Information on shipwreck preservation and similar cleanup efforts, which can offer insights into the history of sites like Wolfe Island Graveyard.
   • NOAA Thunder Bay

3. Save Ontario Shipwrecks (SOS)

   • An organization focused on preserving Ontario’s underwater heritage, including graveyard sites like Wolfe Island.
   • Save Ontario Shipwrecks

4. Wrecksite EU

   • A resource for identifying and researching shipwrecks worldwide, including those in the Great Lakes.
   • Wrecksite EU