Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: Islander Dredge
- Type: Dredge
- Year Built:
- Builder:
- Dimensions: 60 ft (18.3 m); Beam; Depth of hold
- Registered Tonnage:
- Depth at Wreck Site: 19.8 m / 65 ft
- Location: Snake Island, Lake Ontario
- Coordinates: N 44 11.692′ W 76 34.215′
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
Vessel Type: Dredge
Description
The Islander Dredge lies near Snake Island in Lake Ontario at a depth of 65 feet. Once an essential piece of harbor maintenance equipment, it was intentionally sunk after being decommissioned in the 1930s. The stripped-down wreck is relatively intact and provides an excellent dive site for those interested in the industrial maritime history of the Great Lakes. Its location near Snake Island situates it within a historical area known for hosting numerous scuttled vessels and other discarded maritime equipment.
History
The Islander Dredge played a vital role during its operational years, primarily tasked with dredging harbors to maintain navigable waterways for vessels. Dredging operations were critical in the early 20th century for ensuring the safe and efficient movement of goods and people throughout the Great Lakes.
After completing a significant harbour cleanup in the 1930s, the dredge was stripped of all valuable components and materials. The hull, deemed surplus to requirements, was intended to be part of a ship graveyard but was scuttled near Snake Island before reaching its final destination.
Its discovery by diver Mike Powell highlighted its presence as one of several wrecks in the Snake Island area, a site historically associated with scuttled and abandoned vessels.
Significant Incidents
- The Islander Dredge was stripped and scuttled near Snake Island after being decommissioned, reflecting the practical disposal practices of the time.
Final Disposition
The Islander Dredge was stripped and scuttled near Snake Island after being decommissioned. This deliberate sinking reflects the practical disposal practices of the time, often performed to clear obsolete vessels from harbors and waterways.
Current Condition & Accessibility
The wreck of the Islander Dredge is stripped of its original equipment but retains a discernible structure that reflects its former industrial purpose. At a depth of 65 feet, the site is accessible to divers with intermediate or advanced experience. The location provides an excellent opportunity to explore industrial maritime history and understand the importance of dredging in shaping the region’s maritime infrastructure.
Resources & Links
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The Islander Dredge serves as a tangible connection to the industrial efforts that were vital to maintaining the Great Lakes as a bustling maritime network. The deliberate scuttling of such vessels after their usefulness had passed was a common practice, and this wreck provides a fascinating glimpse into early 20th-century harbor management. Situated near Snake Island, the Islander Dredge enriches the area’s already diverse collection of underwater historical artifacts, offering unique exploration opportunities for divers and historians alike.
Full Wreck Record — complete historical article, construction details, voyage logs, incident reports, dive conditions, and all research sources.
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