Shotline Diving

Connecting You to the Depths of the Great Lakes

Must Dive #3: Dredge Munson

Located off Lemoine Point in Kingston, Ontario, resting at a depth of 110 feet, the Munson dredge barge offers divers a unique glimpse into Great Lakes maritime history. Built in the late 19th century and sunk on April 29, 1890, the Munson served an essential role in shaping the waterways that made regional commerce and…

Located off Lemoine Point in Kingston, Ontario, resting at a depth of 110 feet, the Munson dredge barge offers divers a unique glimpse into Great Lakes maritime history. Built in the late 19th century and sunk on April 29, 1890, the Munson served an essential role in shaping the waterways that made regional commerce and infrastructure possible

The Munson, owned by E.A. Munson of Cobourg, Ontario, was crucial in dredging Kingston Harbour to launch the Minnedosa—the largest schooner built on the Great Lakes at the time. After successfully preparing the harbor, the Munson set out for its next job in the Bay of Quinte. Tragically, it sprang a plank leak and sank rapidly within minutes near Lemoine Point

Rediscovered in 1981 by renowned diver Rick Neilson, the Munson lies impressively intact on the lakebed. The wreck site is like an underwater museum, with its wooden structure, towering vertical spud poles, and iconic steam-powered dredging machinery beautifully preserved by the cold waters of Lake Ontario. Artifacts scattered on and around the vessel—plates, tools, and bottles—add a hauntingly personal touch.

While the Munson is accessible and popular, diving this site requires advanced certification due to depth, cold temperatures, and potential low visibility from stirred silt. Divers should be prepared with appropriate thermal protection, lighting, and buoyancy control to safely explore the site. A permanent mooring buoy installed by Preserve Our Wrecks Kingston helps divers reach the wreck safely without anchoring directly on the structure.

The Munson is protected under Ontario’s Heritage Act, and divers are encouraged to practice “Take only memories, leave only bubbles” diving. Respectful exploration helps preserve the integrity of this remarkable time capsule, ensuring future generations can continue to experience a tangible link to our maritime past.

Coordinates: N44°12.5690’, W76°36.4960’

Enjoy a virtual dive tour provided by Shotline Diving Productions (2024): Watch the Munson Dive

A comprehensive write up on the Munson is now available https://shotlinediving.com/docs/munson

Tags: #MunsonWreck #LakeOntario #GreatLakesShipwreck #Dredge #KingstonHistory #UnderwaterArchaeology #MaritimeHistory #WreckDiving