Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: Effie Mae
- Type: Charter Boat
- Year Built: 1968
- Builder: Ken and Lois Jenkins
- Dimensions: 40 ft (12.2 m); Beam; Depth of hold
- Registered Tonnage:
- Depth at Wreck Site: 15.24 m / 50 ft
- Location: Nine Mile Point, Lake Ontario
- Original Owners: Ken and Lois Jenkins; Ted and Donna Walker
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
The Effie Mae is a wooden trawler, originally built as a fishing vessel and later repurposed as a dive charter boat.
Description
Constructed in 1968, the Effie Mae was a 40 ft wooden trawler that became the first live-aboard dive charter boat in the Kingston area around 1980. She was known for her sturdy construction and sleek lines, making her a familiar sight on the waters of Lake Ontario.
History
The Effie Mae was built by Ken and Lois Jenkins in Shelburne, Nova Scotia, and completed in Port Credit, Ontario. After her launch, she served as a dive charter boat under the ownership of Ted and Donna Walker from 1987 until her donation in 1992 to Preserve Our Wrecks Kingston. In 1993, she was transformed into an artificial reef and sunk on October 17, 1993, exactly 25 years after her christening.
Significant Incidents
- 1987: Ownership transferred to Ted and Donna Walker.
- 1988: Ken Jenkins, the original builder, passed away.
- 1992: Donated to Preserve Our Wrecks Kingston.
- 1993: Sunk as an artificial reef on October 17.
Final Disposition
The Effie Mae was sunk to create an artificial reef, providing a habitat for marine life and a dive site for enthusiasts. She now rests upright beside the historic wreck of the schooner barge Aloha.
Current Condition & Accessibility
As of the latest reports, the Effie Mae has suffered significant damage, including a cracked keel and split hull, likely due to severe weather conditions. Despite this, she remains a popular dive site.
Resources & Links
The Effie Mae stands as a testament to the craftsmanship of her builders and the dedication of those who have preserved her legacy. Divers are encouraged to respect this site, leaving only bubbles and taking only memories.