Unidentified Hull – Wreck X

IDENTIFICATION & SITE INFORMATION #

VESSEL TYPE DESCRIPTION #

This unidentified hull, resting at a depth of 90 feet in the Wolfe Island Graveyard, is one of the many vessels scuttled during the Portsmouth Harbour cleanup in the 1930s. The cleanup effort aimed to remove derelict or obsolete vessels from Kingston’s waters, and this hull is among those that were deliberately sunk to clear the harbor of navigational hazards and abandoned ships. The vessel, stripped of valuable components before scuttling, now lies largely deteriorated and encrusted with marine life, making it difficult to identify its original structure or purpose.

HISTORY #

During the 1930s, Portsmouth Harbour and surrounding areas, including Wolfe Island, were subject to extensive cleanup operations. These efforts were undertaken to improve the safety, navigability, and appearance of the harbor by removing vessels that were no longer in service. The unidentified hull at Wolfe Island Graveyard is part of this historical cleanup, representing the common practice of scuttling old ships rather than dismantling them entirely.

The Wolfe Island Graveyard, located near Kingston, Ontario, served as a dumping ground for these obsolete vessels. Ships that had served their purpose were stripped of useful parts and then sunk in designated areas, where they were left to naturally deteriorate over time.

FINAL DISPOSITION #

The hull now lies at a depth of 90 feet in the Wolfe Island Graveyard. Over the decades, it has become part of the underwater landscape, with marine life and sediment covering much of the structure. The exact identity of the vessel remains unknown, as it was one of many similar ships disposed of during the harbor cleanup.

CURRENT CONDITION & ACCESSIBILITY #

The wreck is accessible to experienced divers due to its depth. However, the condition of the hull may be fragile, and visibility can vary depending on water conditions. The site is part of a larger collection of wrecks in the Wolfe Island Graveyard, making it a point of interest for those studying maritime history or exploring Great Lakes shipwrecks.

RESOURCES & LINKS #

1. Maritime History of the Great Lakes

   • Offers information on shipwrecks and maritime incidents, which provides context for scuttled hulls like the one at Wolfe Island.
   • Maritime History of the Great Lakes

2. NOAA Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary

   • Provides resources on shipwreck preservation and similar efforts, relevant to sites like Wolfe Island Graveyard.
   • NOAA Thunder Bay

3. Save Ontario Shipwrecks (SOS)

   • An organization dedicated to the preservation and exploration of Ontario’s underwater heritage, including wreck sites like Wolfe Island.
   • Save Ontario Shipwrecks

4. Wrecksite EU

   • A global database for shipwrecks, including unidentified wrecks like this hull in the Wolfe Island Graveyard.
   • Wrecksite EU