John R C126461, ALMA MUNRO C71239, MELBOURNE

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	Vessel Type: Propeller Depth: 10 feet (3 meters) of fresh water Location: Hamilton, ON Waterworks Coordinates: Available upon request

The ALMA MUNRO was a wooden, propeller-driven vessel constructed in 1873 at Port Dalhousie, Ontario. Initially owned by the Elgin Transportation Company in Port Stanley, Ontario, it was registered under the official number 71239. The vessel measured 136 feet in length, 23 feet in width, and 8 feet in depth, with a gross tonnage of 400.

Engine: Single low-pressure engine with a 30 x 36-inch stroke and 175 horsepower, built by George N. Oille.
Maiden Voyage: June 1873, carrying grain from Chicago.
Significant Incident: October 1873, collision with the schooner MARY COPELY at Port Colborne, Lake Erie.

Throughout its operational years, the vessel underwent several rebuilds and modifications:

1884: Lengthened at W. Power Shipyard in Kingston, Ontario, increasing to 176 x 26 x 11 feet and a gross tonnage of 890.
1893: Rebuilt at Montreal’s Cantin Shipyard, dimensions enlarged to 180 x 26 x 11 feet, tonnage increased to 894 gross tons. The engine was upgraded to a steeple configuration by Calvin & Company, and the vessel was renamed MELBOURNE.

Final Years:

1905: Caught fire and burned near Belleville, Ontario, en route from Montreal to Hamilton.
1909: Rebuilt and renamed JOHN R. under new ownership.
1914: Scrapped, concluding its storied history.

The Dive: #

Access:

A scenic 500-meter walk from the Wild Waterworks parking lot along the waterfront trail leads to the dive entry point.
A short 100-meter swim from the water’s edge brings you directly to the wreck’s location.

Visibility:

Ranges from 10 to 20 feet, allowing divers to explore both the shipwreck and the surrounding aquatic life.

Experience Level:

The shallow depth of 10 feet makes this site accessible to divers of various experience levels, offering a unique and historical underwater exploration.

Diving the ALMA MUNRO promises an unforgettable experience, as you delve into the past and uncover the remnants of a vessel that once played a crucial role in Canada’s maritime trade.

External Links: #

Great Lakes Ships

For further details or to plan your dive, visit the link above to access more information about the wreck of the ALMA MUNRO and other significant shipwrecks in the Great Lakes.