Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: Unspecified Landing Craft
- Type: Landing Craft (Barge)
- Year Built:
- Builder:
- Dimensions: Not specified, comparable to Wolfe-Kingston transport barge
- Registered Tonnage:
- Depth at Wreck Site: 38 m / 126 ft
- Location: Amherst Island, Millhaven Bombing Range, Lake Ontario
- Coordinates: General area near Amherst Island; exact coordinates undisclosed
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
The vessel is a landing craft, similar in design and function to those used for ferrying vehicles and personnel between Wolfe Island and Kingston. These crafts were utilitarian, flat-bottomed vessels known for their capacity to carry substantial loads, including military vehicles, across shallow waters. This specific craft was repurposed as a military target at the Millhaven Bombing Range.
Description
The landing craft was originally employed as a transport barge in the Wolfe Island to Kingston route. It became obsolete and was handed over for military training exercises, relocated to the Millhaven Bombing Range near Amherst Island, Lake Ontario. During its tenure there, the craft served as a bombing target, often paired with an Anson Bomber that was also sunk in the area during the exercises.
History
In 1956, a diver rediscovered the wreck during efforts to retrieve lead practice bombs from the site. The wreckage of both the landing craft and the bomber remains in the lake, undisturbed due to salvage restrictions tied to ordnance retrieval contracts.
Significant Incidents
- The vessel was intentionally sunk during bombing practice at the Millhaven Bombing Range.
- In 1956, the wreck was rediscovered by a diver.
Final Disposition
The vessel remains on the lakebed as a relic of mid-20th-century military training, with no recovery efforts made since its sinking.
Current Condition & Accessibility
The wreck lies in deep water at a depth of 126 feet (38 meters). As of 1999, the diver who rediscovered it in 1956 had not disclosed the precise location, leaving the site largely unexplored. Potential hazards include unexploded ordnance from its use as a bombing target, which could pose risks to divers. Accessing the site would require clearance and expertise in navigating hazardous underwater environments.
Resources & Links
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The landing craft is a rare and intriguing artifact of Lake Ontario’s military and maritime history. Its dual life as a transport vessel and a bombing target makes it significant for understanding mid-20th-century military training practices. However, the site’s inaccessibility and potential hazards from unexploded ordnance limit its exploration potential.
Full Wreck Record — complete historical article, construction details, voyage logs, incident reports, dive conditions, and all research sources.
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