IDENTIFICATION & SITE INFORMATION
SITE DESCRIPTION
The wreck of the Belly Dump Barge is located at a depth of 90 feet in Lake Ontario, near Kingston, Ontario. The barge, a specialized type of vessel designed with a hinged or split hull that allows it to “dump” its cargo directly into the water, lies in a relatively intact state on the lakebed. The site is accessible to experienced divers, particularly those interested in industrial maritime history.
HISTORY
The Belly Dump Barge was a workhorse of the Great Lakes, used primarily for transporting and dumping materials like sand, gravel, or dredged silt. Such barges were common in the industrial operations of harbors and waterways, contributing to construction and maintenance projects.
This particular barge became the subject of a search and recovery operation by the Kingston Harbour Master in the 1970s. The details of its operational history and the circumstances leading to its sinking are not fully documented, but the vessel’s final resting place was discovered much later.
DISCOVERY
The wreck was located in 2000 by Ken Fuller and Tom Rutledge using sidescan sonar. The barge had initially been mistaken for another wreck, known as the KPH wreck, during a dive in 1999 by Pat and Carey. They drifted off course and ended up discovering the Belly Dump Barge instead.
FINAL DISPOSITION
The Belly Dump Barge now lies on the bottom of Lake Ontario, largely preserved in the cold, fresh waters. The site is relatively undisturbed and provides an interesting dive for those exploring the waters around Kingston.
NOTMARs & ADVISORIES
There are no current Notices to Mariners specifically related to the Belly Dump Barge wreck, but divers should be cautious of the general hazards associated with diving in deeper waters, including cold temperatures and potential entanglement risks.
LOCATED BY & DATE
The barge was located by Ken Fuller and Tom Rutledge in 2000 using sidescan sonar. The initial discovery was somewhat accidental, as it was mistaken for the nearby KPH wreck by divers Pat and Carey in 1999.
CURRENT CONDITION & ACCESSIBILITY
The Belly Dump Barge wreck lies at a depth of 90 feet, making it accessible to intermediate to advanced divers. The wreck is well-preserved and offers an intriguing dive for those interested in the industrial maritime history of Lake Ontario. Divers should be aware of the depth and ensure they are properly equipped for cold water diving.
RESOURCES & LINKS
- Maritime History of the Great Lakes – Belly Dump Barge: Maritime History of the Great Lakes
- Kingston Dive Sites: Kingston Scuba Diving
- Wrecksite Database – Belly Dump Barge: Wrecksite Database
- Sidescan Discoveries – Fuller/Rutledge 2000:
KEYWORDS
- Belly Dump Barge, Kingston, Lake Ontario, Industrial Maritime History, Sidescan Sonar, Wreck Discovery, Cold Water Diving.
ANALYSIS The Belly Dump Barge represents a significant part of the industrial history of Kingston and the broader Great Lakes region. These barges played an essential role in construction and dredging operations, contributing to the development and maintenance of waterways. The barge’s discovery by sidescan sonar in 2000 underscores the ongoing interest in uncovering and documenting the maritime history hidden beneath the waters of Lake Ontario. The site offers a unique dive opportunity for those interested in industrial archaeology and the evolution of marine engineering in the Great Lakes.
