Shotline Diving

Connecting You to the Depths of the Great Lakes

Hilda C 96870

Explore the Hilda, a historic steel river barge resting at 250 feet near Amherst Island, Lake Ontario. A dive for advanced divers seeking history and marine life.

Shotline Diving Wreck Profile

  • Name: HILDA
  • Type: Steel River Barge
  • Year Built: 1898
  • Builder: Bertram Engineering Works of Toronto, Canada
  • Dimensions: Length: 160.0 ft (48.8 m); Beam: 30.0 ft (9.1 m); Depth of hold: 12.3 ft (3.7 m)
  • Registered Tonnage: 458.41 tons (gross); 417.71 tons (net)
  • Depth at Wreck Site: 76 m / 250 ft
  • Location: Amherst Island, Lake Ontario
  • Coordinates: N 44°08.104' W 76°49.595'
  • Original Owners: Prescott Elevator Co. Ltd., St. Lawrence Terminal Co. Ltd., Montreal Transportation Co., R.G. Weddell Construction, Pyke Towing & Salvage

Wreck Location Map

Vessel Type

The HILDA was a steel river barge built in 1898 by Bertram Engineering Works of Toronto, Canada. With a robust steel hull featuring a 5-inch wood-sheathed bottom and bilges, it was designed primarily for cargo transport along the rivers and lakes of the region. The barge had a gross tonnage of 458.41 tons and a net tonnage of 417.71 tons, making it a significant vessel for its time. Over the years, it was repurposed multiple times, serving various owners and roles, including as a crane barge after modifications in 1929.

Description

The HILDA was initially built for the Prescott Elevator Co. Ltd. and underwent several ownership changes throughout its life, being acquired by companies such as the St. Lawrence Terminal Co. Ltd and the Montreal Transportation Co. The barge faced several maritime incidents, including groundings in 1918 and 1919. Despite these challenges, it was salvaged and continued to operate. By 1923, the HILDA was owned by R.G. Weddell Construction of Trenton, Ontario, and later by Pyke Towing & Salvage of Kingston, where it was converted into a crane barge.

History

In October 1969, after decades of service and extensive wear, the HILDA was deemed unfit for further use. It was intentionally scuttled in Lake Ontario, Kingston, near Amherst Island, ON where it remains to this day at a depth of approximately 250 feet.

Significant Incidents

  • Groundings in 1918 and 1919.

Final Disposition

The HILDA lies in relatively deep waters, making it accessible primarily to advanced divers equipped for deep diving. The wreck is largely intact but heavily encrusted with aquatic life, with sections of the barge now buried under silt and debris. The site is a popular destination for technical divers due to its depth and historical significance.

Current Condition & Accessibility

For further information and historical records on the HILDA and other shipwrecks in the Great Lakes, you may refer to the following resources:

Resources & Links

[shotline_reference_links slug=”hilda-c-96870″ title=”References & Links” show_ref_button=”yes”]

As you explore the Hilda, remember to respect the site and its history. Leave only bubbles, take only memories, and be the diver that makes a difference.

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.

Hilda

Shotline Diving Wreck Profile

VESSEL TYPE DESCRIPTION

The HILDA was a steel river barge built in 1898 by Bertram Engineering Works of Toronto, Canada. With a robust steel hull featuring a 5-inch wood-sheathed bottom and bilges, it was designed primarily for cargo transport along the rivers and lakes of the region. The barge had a gross tonnage of 458.41 tons and a net tonnage of 417.71 tons, making it a significant vessel for its time. Over the years, it was repurposed multiple times, serving various owners and roles, including as a crane barge after modifications in 1929.

HISTORY

The HILDA was initially built for the Prescott Elevator Co. Ltd. and underwent several ownership changes throughout its life, being acquired by companies such as the St. Lawrence Terminal Co. Ltd. and the Montreal Transportation Co. The barge faced several maritime incidents, including groundings in 1918 and 1919. Despite these challenges, it was salvaged and continued to operate. By 1923, the HILDA was owned by R.G. Weddell Construction of Trenton, Ontario, and later by Pyke Towing & Salvage of Kingston, where it was converted into a crane barge.

FINAL DISPOSITION

In October 1969, after decades of service and extensive wear, the HILDA was deemed unfit for further use. It was intentionally scuttled in Lake Ontario, Kingston, near Amherst Island, ON where it remains to this day at a depth of approximately 250 feet.

CURRENT CONDITION & ACCESSIBILITY

The HILDA lies in relatively deep waters, making it accessible primarily to advanced divers equipped for deep diving. The wreck is largely intact but heavily encrusted with aquatic life, with sections of the barge now buried under silt and debris. The site is a popular destination for technical divers due to its depth and historical significance.

RESOURCES & LINKS

For further information and historical records on the HILDA and other shipwrecks in the Great Lakes, you may refer to the following resources:

hilda-c96870 1968-08-14 07:47:00