Shotline Diving

Connecting You to the Depths of the Great Lakes

Stacked Hulls

Explore the unique underwater site of Stacked Hulls in Kingston, Ontario, featuring layered remnants of wooden ships at shallow depths, ideal for divers and snorkelers.

Shotline Diving Wreck Profile

  • Name: The Stacked Hulls
  • Type: Shipwreck
  • Year Built:
  • Builder:
  • Dimensions: Length X ft (Y m); Beam; Depth of hold
  • Registered Tonnage:
  • Depth at Wreck Site: 4.6 m / 15 ft
  • Location: Kingston, Ontario
  • Coordinates: Approximately 6-15 ft (1.8-4.6 m) near the shoreline

Wreck Location Map

Vessel Type

The site features stacked hulls—the remnants of multiple wooden ships, likely schooners, scows, or barges, abandoned or deliberately placed in layers near the shoreline. Such hulls were often decommissioned and used as breakwaters or disposed of in shallow water.

Description

The Stacked Hulls site near Kingston, Ontario, is a unique underwater feature consisting of overlapping or layered hulls of wooden ships. The wrecks, which lie at depths ranging from 6 to 15 ft (1.8–4.6 m), are relatively well-preserved due to the cold freshwater environment of Lake Ontario. The site’s shallow depth makes it a popular spot for divers and snorkelers.

Remnants of ship frames, planking, and fasteners can be seen protruding from the sand and silt. Divers often report spotting multiple layers of hull structures, indicative of ships that were stacked during abandonment. The hulls may date from the late 19th to early 20th century when wooden vessels were phased out in favour of steel construction.

History

Kingston has a rich maritime history as a prominent shipbuilding and trade hub on the Great Lakes. During the transition from wooden to steel vessels, many older wooden ships were intentionally scuttled, abandoned, or repurposed as harbour protection structures.

The Stacked Hulls likely represent ships from this era. They could have been schooners, barges, or workboats once vital to regional commerce, later discarded as they became obsolete. Similar sites around the Great Lakes serve as a reminder of this transitional period in maritime history.

Significant Incidents

  • Discoverers: Local divers have been aware of the site for decades.
  • Discovery Date: Exact date unknown, but the site has been a long-standing attraction in Kingston.

Final Disposition

The vessels were likely abandoned in place or intentionally stacked to create a stable structure. Over time, sedimentation and lake currents have partially buried portions of the hulls, but much remains visible for exploration.

Current Condition & Accessibility

The shallow depth and proximity to the shore pose minimal risk, but divers should be cautious of sharp debris and shifting sediments. As an accessible dive site, visitors should avoid disturbing or removing artifacts to help preserve the site for future divers and researchers.

Resources & Links

The Stacked Hulls site offers a fascinating glimpse into the maritime history of the Great Lakes, providing divers with an opportunity to explore the remnants of wooden vessels that once played a crucial role in regional commerce.