Legacy Notes & Full Historical Record

This section preserves the original unedited Shotline content for this wreck so that no historical detail is lost as we transition to the new logbook format.

“Glendora” (Unidentified Steamer Wreck – 1882)

Shotline Diving Wreck Profile

• Nickname: “Glendora” (actual vessel unknown)
• Launch/Build: 1882, Kingston, Ontario
• Final Loss: Scuttled deliberately 1925 off Amherst Island; originally sank 1887 and was recovered for scuttling (warrenlophotography.com, Wikipedia, Wikipedia)
• Dimensions: ~166 ft (50.6 m) length
• Depth & Location: Lies upright at ~75 ft (23 m) depth; GPS N 44° 08.558′ W 76° 38.052′ near Amherst Island “Graveyard”

Vessel Type & Construction

• Likely a mid-sized steam-driven wooden-hulled freighter or scow steamer, common to late 19th-century Lake Ontario; hull structure remains intact with accessible holds (divertrek.com).

Description

• Hull: Wooden, well-preserved exterior; bow heavily damaged during scuttling
• Propulsion: Large stern-mounted propeller and intact rudder visible (wrecksandreefs.com, warrenlophotography.com)
• Internal Features: Multiple holds offer easy below-deck access; interior appears navigable for intermediate divers (wrecksandreefs.com)

Operational History

• 1882–1887: Active as Kingston-built steamer; details of routes or cargo undocumented
• 1887: Sank November 19; later salvaged and laid up in Kingston
• Post-salvage, hull stripped and repurposed for scuttling ◆ final act in 1925 as part of harbor clear-out (Wikipedia, ScubaBoard, warrenlophotography.com)

Final Disposition: Scuttling

• Scuttled by dynamite/towing during winter storm, along with ~12 other vessels, to rid Kingston harbor of derelicts in 1925 (DeeperBlue.com)
• Bow intended to be irreversibly destroyed; rest positioned upright deliberately

Dive Discovery & Condition

• Long known and regularly dived since late 1980s—mentioned in charter dive logs & guides (DeeperBlue.com)
• Condition: upright, intact hull; interior well-lit (“Cathedral of Light”) in clean water; maximum depth ~80 ft (divertrek.com)

Hazards & Dive Notes

• Bow area vectors remain unstable—avoid strong fin kicks or penetration in bow
• Interior holds are safe for intermediate-level penetration dives with proper guidance; silt may settle quickly

Notmars & Advisories

• No formal Notice to Mariners beyond inclusion as scuttled derelict in 1925; regularly included in recreational dive guides

Additional Resources

• DiverTrek review: Detailed dive observations (“Cathedral of Light” interior effect) (divertrek.com, warrenlophotography.com)
• WrecksAndReefs summary: Highlights stern prop/rudder access and penetration potential (wrecksandreefs.com)
• Kingston dive logs: Context of 1925 harbor clearance project

Research Gaps & Recommendations

• Unknown identity: Vessel’s registry, official name, crew, cargo routes remain undocumented
• Suggested Actions:
  • Search 1882–1887 Kingston ship registries and Kingston Shipyards records for steamers ~166 ft built
  • Review Kingston Whig‑Standard & Ontario newspapers, Nov 1887, for sinking/recovery; 1925 coverage of harbor cleanup
  • Kingston Dry Dock archives (Great Lakes Museum) may hold documentation of derelict vessels

On‑Site Dive Info

• Entry: Charter boats from Kingston, ~20 minutes to site
• Depth Range: 23–24 m (75–80 ft); thermocline ~8–10 °C
• Conditions: Clear spring/early summer water yields best visibility; strong currents may occur from Amherst Island funneling
• Penetration: Accessible holds; use guideline, monitor silt
• Surface Support: Standard – dive boat; emergency radio to Kingston Coast Guard station
• Permits: Recreational dives allowed; commercial or filming dives require permits via Ontario Ministry of Environment

Historical & Archaeological Significance

• Represents Kingston’s 1920s process of harbor reclamation; collective “Graveyard” is a rare underwater time capsule
• Interior state and intact structure provide valuable data on steam vessel design and repurposing
• Educational site: Interior lightplay offers interpretive opportunity on wreck lighting and decay

Keywords

Region: Lake Ontario, Amherst Island Gravemark
Vessel Type: Wooden steam freighter
Cause of loss: Scuttling (purposeful sinking)
Period: Late 19th century (1882–1925)
Material: Wood
Dive Difficulty: Intermediate–Advanced
Hazards: Bow structural damage, silt, thermocline cold

Conclusion: The “Glendora” wreck is a remarkably intact, accessible steam-era wooden vessel, ideal for intermediate divers and historians. Despite its unknown identity, it offers a unique glimpse into Kingston’s maritime past and harbor cleanup efforts. Further archival work focusing on 1882 Kingston-built steamers and 1925 scuttling logs can potentially unveil its true identity.

glendora 1926-07-28 07:51:00