NIPIGON (also known as MAPLEHILL and MAPLEGRANGE) C130272

VESSEL TYPE DESCRIPTION

The NIPIGON, later known as MAPLEHILL and MAPLEGRANGE, was a wooden-hulled steambarge built in 1883 at St. Clair, Michigan. It was equipped with a round stern, diagonal steel straps on the frames for added strength, and a single deck. The vessel was powered by a compound screw engine producing 500 horsepower, driving a single propeller, and had a capacity for significant cargo, including up to 765,000 feet of lumber.

HISTORY #

The NIPIGON was launched in 1883, constructed under the supervision of master carpenter Simon Langel. The vessel was initially part of the Whitney Transportation Company fleet, owned by David Whitney Jr. of Detroit. Throughout its operational life, the NIPIGON was involved in several incidents, including a collision that resulted in the sinking of the steamer VIENNA in 1892.

The vessel underwent multiple modifications, including the installation of a new boiler and additional masts. Ownership of the NIPIGON changed several times, with its final owners being the Montreal Transportation Co. In 1919, the vessel was renamed MAPLEHILL and later MAPLEGRANGE in 1920. By 1925, the vessel was laid up and subsequently dismantled and scuttled in 1929, becoming part of the Amherst Island Graveyard in Lake Ontario.

FINAL DISPOSITION #

The NIPIGON, under its final name MAPLEGRANGE, was scuttled in 1929 as part of a broader effort to dispose of obsolete vessels in Kingston’s harbor. The wreck now lies in the Amherst Island Graveyard at a depth of 60 feet, where it remains as part of a collection of scuttled vessels.

CURRENT CONDITION & ACCESSIBILITY #

The wreck of the NIPIGON (MAPLEGRANGE) lies at a depth of 60 feet, making it accessible to most recreational divers. The cold freshwater environment of Lake Ontario likely aids in the preservation of the wooden hull, though the site may be subject to degradation over time. Divers should be aware of potential hazards such as entanglement in debris.

RESOURCES & LINKS #

• Divehub.ca Dive Site Information: A resource for divers interested in exploring the wrecks of the Amherst Island Graveyard.
• Historical Collections of the Great Lakes (HCGL): Provides historical data and ship histories relevant to vessels like the NIPIGON.
• Queens University Video Tape Holdings POW Photo Project 1998: An archival project featuring footage and photographs of wrecks, including the NIPIGON/MAPLEGRANGE.
• Vlada Dekina Photogallery 2002: A photographic archive showcasing images of shipwrecks in Lake Ontario.

KEYWORDS #

• NIPIGON
• MAPLEHILL
• MAPLEGRANGE
• Amherst Island Graveyard
• Kingston Harbour clean-up
• Great Lakes shipwrecks
• Lake Ontario diving
• Scuttled vessels

ANALYSIS #

The story of the NIPIGON (MAPLEHILL/MAPLEGRANGE) is a classic example of the lifecycle of Great Lakes vessels in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Originally a robust steambarge, it played a significant role in the lumber industry and later adapted to various changes in ownership and purpose. Its final scuttling in the Amherst Island Graveyard reflects the practice of disposing of obsolete vessels in an era when maritime traffic was transitioning and older ships were no longer economically viable. Today, the wreck serves as an underwater monument to the region’s rich maritime history and offers a valuable exploration site for divers and historians alike.