Unidentified Hull, Workboat (Scuttled by Kingston Yacht Club) and Cribs

Shotline Diving Wreck Profile

• Name: Workboat (Scuttled by Kingston Yacht Club)
• Type: Workboat and Wooden Cribs
• Year Built:
• Builder:
• Dimensions:
• Registered Tonnage:
• Location: Near the Marine Museum of the Great Lakes, Kingston, Lake Ontario
• Coordinates: N 44°13.580' W 76°27.910'
• Original Owners: Kingston Yacht Club

Wreck Location Map

Vessel Type

The workboat, scuttled by the Kingston Yacht Club (KYC), along with the nearby wooden cribs, represents early maritime infrastructure and navigational aids crucial to the history of Kingston’s waterfront. The site is located just off the shore near the Marine Museum of the Great Lakes and provides divers with the opportunity to explore artifacts tied to the city’s maritime heritage.

Description

The workboat served a practical purpose in marking navigational tracks, while the wooden cribs were likely part of breakwater or dock structures, essential for safe harbor operations.

History

The workboat was intentionally scuttled by the Kingston Yacht Club to serve as a navigational marker for vessels approaching the club’s facilities. Over the years, this site became an essential reference point for local mariners, providing guidance and ensuring safe navigation in the waters near the Kingston Yacht Club.

In 2008, an incident occurred when a cruise ship, anchoring near the site, caused accidental damage to one of the underwater features. The site includes not only the scuttled workboat but also wooden cribs, which are believed to be remnants of older maritime infrastructure, possibly related to the construction of breakwaters or docks that once served the busy port.

The Kingston Yacht Club, aware of the workboat’s importance as a navigational aid, added a stabilizing block beside it over time to ensure its continued utility and visibility. These efforts have helped maintain the site as a significant underwater reference point, contributing to the rich maritime history of Kingston, Ontario.

Significant Incidents

• 2008: A cruise ship caused accidental damage to one of the underwater features at the site.

Final Disposition

The workboat and wooden cribs remain submerged near the Marine Museum of the Great Lakes in Kingston, Lake Ontario. The site is accessible as a shallow dive, offering a glimpse into the practical maritime efforts that shaped the region’s nautical history. The features continue to serve as a testament to Kingston’s maritime infrastructure and the adaptive use of vessels for navigational purposes.

Current Condition & Accessibility

This site is accessible to divers, particularly those comfortable with shallow water dives. The easiest access point is from behind the Marine Museum Barge 1 pipeline, running a bearing to the yellow flag southwest of the breakwater. This makes the site ideal for shore diving, with a simple route from the museum area to the cribs and workboat.

Resources & Links

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The dive sites near the Marine Museum of the Great Lakes provide a tangible connection to Kingston’s rich maritime past. The scuttling of the workboat by the Kingston Yacht Club reflects the practical and navigational needs of local mariners, while the wooden cribs hint at the broader infrastructure supporting the city’s waterfront activities. The preservation of these sites, including their documentation through video surveys, ensures that this part of Kingston’s history remains accessible to divers and maritime enthusiasts alike.