SITE IDENTIFICATION
SITE DESCRIPTION
The wreck of a small scuttled schooner lies in 30 feet of water near Kingston, Ontario, just before entering Lake Ontario. The remains of the schooner are largely flat, with deadeyes scattered around the deck. Deadeyes, part of the ship’s rigging, are circular wooden blocks that were used to tension the shrouds and support the masts. Their presence around the deck indicates that the ship’s rigging likely collapsed before or during the sinking.
The wreck is approximately 60 feet in length, and due to its flattened condition, it appears that the hull has collapsed over time. This site offers a snapshot of Great Lakes maritime history, reflecting the types of vessels that once plied these waters.
HISTORY
While specific historical details about this schooner are not provided, small schooners like this one were common on the Great Lakes during the 19th and early 20th centuries. These vessels were often used for transporting cargo such as lumber, grain, and other goods between ports along Lake Ontario and the other Great Lakes.
The schooner appears to have been intentionally scuttled, a common practice for vessels that had reached the end of their service life or were damaged beyond repair. Scuttling involves deliberately sinking the ship, either to dispose of it or to create an obstruction.
FINAL DISPOSITION
The schooner now lies in a shallow, 30-foot-deep area, just before entering Lake Ontario from the Kingston region. Given its condition, the vessel has likely been underwater for an extended period, leading to the collapse of its structure and the scattering of rigging components like deadeyes across the deck.
NOTMARs & ADVISORIES
There are no current Notices to Mariners specifically related to this wreck, but divers should be aware of the general hazards associated with exploring shallow wrecks, including sharp objects, entanglement risks, and the potential for low visibility.
LOCATED BY & DATE
The specific details of the discovery of this wreck are not provided, but it is a known site among local divers and maritime historians in the Kingston area.
CURRENT CONDITION & ACCESSIBILITY
The wreck lies at a shallow depth of 30 feet, making it accessible to most divers, including those with basic open water certification. The flat condition of the wreck suggests it is stable, but care should be taken to avoid disturbing the site, particularly given the scattered deadeyes and other potentially fragile components.
RESOURCES & LINKS
- Maritime History of the Great Lakes – Kingston Wrecks: Maritime History of the Great Lakes
- Wrecksite Database – Schooner Wrecks: Wrecksite Database
- Great Lakes Shipwreck Research: Great Lakes Shipwreck Research
- Kingston Dive Sites: Kingston Scuba Diving
KEYWORDS
- Small Schooner, Scuttled, Kingston, Lake Ontario, Schooner Wreck, Deadeyes, Maritime History, Great Lakes, Shallow Wreck.
ANALYSIS The small scuttled schooner near Kingston offers a relatively accessible dive site for those interested in the maritime history of the Great Lakes. The presence of deadeyes and the flattened condition of the wreck provide clues about the vessel’s final moments and the period it has spent underwater. While the schooner’s specific history remains unknown, it represents the many small trading vessels that were once common in this region. The shallow depth makes it an ideal site for divers of varying experience levels.
