Beautiful, chilly, and home to some amazing dive sites, Ontario is a wonderful place to visit and as local divers will tell you, it’s a place with some unexpected underwater treasures. There are several different scuba clubs in various regions, and there is no shortage of excellent dive operators. If you find yourself in Ontario and wish you could enjoy a wreck dive without too much in the way of reservations though, there are some excellent wrecks which are accessible from shore. Here are five that will knock your socks off.
JC Morrison - Ontario Dive Sites
Built in 1854, the JC Morrison was a wooden paddle wheeler named after Joseph Currie Morrison, the president of the Ontario, Simcoe, and Huron Railway Company, for which the ship was built. At 46 meters long, the sturdy little ship was lavishly decorated and was even equipped with a black walnut Chickering grand piano to keep guests entertained. Just after midnight on August 4th of 1857, while the ship was tied up for the night, the Morrison’s captain, C.T. Bell, woke to find that flames were spreading from the firebox near the boiler. The fire quickly became a roaring inferno, and the captain, kicking doors and screaming, tried to rouse the crew and passengers. He barely made it off the ship himself, yet many survived thanks to his heroic efforts. Later that night, the ship, still in flames, was cut free of its moorings and set adrift to finish burning; early in the morning, she sank, coming to rest 30 feet beneath the surface of Lake Simcoe.
Today, the wreck is accessed via a line that leads to the ship from shore, and is normally marked with a yellow buoy. She sits about three hundred feet from shore. Thanks to pounding waves, ice, and wind, the wreck has been flattened over time; yet she is interesting to explore day or night. You can still identify parts of the paddle wheels, and there are plenty of lake fish around; particularly after the sun goes down. What looks a lot like a boiler is actually a piece of equipment belonging to the water treatment plant across the street from the entry point – the ship’s boiler was destroyed in the fire.
Use caution when diving this wreck, as the area is popular with sailboats and jet skis; always dive with a flag, and don’t forget to look for the plaque that marks the site.
Rothesay - Ontario Dive Sites
Located west of Prescott, in the Saint Lawrence River, the wreck of the Rothesay is accessible from shore or from boat. The wreck site is marked with a buoy located about 300 feet from shore, and onshore by the roadside, a historic marker commemorating Justus Sherwood sits adjacent to a grassy strip where you can park. In the water, below the embankment, you’ll see a floating jug that marks the line which leads out to the wreck.
A 19th century wooden sidewheeler, the Rothesay was 193 feet long and had a beam of just over 28 feet. She was launched in 1868, and was used to ferry passengers from Brockville to Montreal. On September 12th of 1889, the ship met her fate when she collided with the tug Myra and subsequently sank. While no one onboard Rothesay was lost, two of the Myra’s crew were killed in the accident.
In 1901, the ship was blown up during a munitions exercise, and until it was rediscovered by the Underwater Society of Ottowa in 1964, it was all but forgotten. Once called the “Greyhound of the St. Lawrence,” the wreck of the Rothesay lies at depths between 20 and 30 feet, and as she is in the river, she is subject to a little silting and a very light current of 1-2 knots. In surprisingly good condition considering her position and history, the wreck still has her chain locker and hold intact; bring a good dive light to take a peek inside. The ship’s boilers are still intact, and the massive paddle wheels are still identifiable.
Alice G. - Ontario Dive Sites
Located in Fathom Five Marine Park in Tobermory, the Alice G. was a 67 foot wooden tug; she shares her final resting place with several other wrecks, neither of which is in nearly as pristine condition as she is. Sitting upright with a list to starboard, in only 23 feet of water, this is an exceptional wreck for all divers. Lost after running aground during a storm in November of 1927, the tug can be accessed from shore or by boat; in order to dive, you’ll need to pay a small fee for the privilege of exploring Fathom Five.
There are several different markers and measuring devices on the wreck, placed there by park officials in an attempt to track wreck deterioration; what you won’t find are the ubiquitous zebra mussels that have taken over so many wrecks throughout the region. With lots of interesting details, plus some huge boilers, the wreck is fun to photograph.
Robert K. - Ontario Dive Sites
Located along with the rest of the tugs, including the Alice G, at Tobermory’s Fathom Five Marine Park, the wreck of the Robert K. is located just a short distance from the platform used for accessing the site; the wreckage is located just a little to the left of the platform, a very short distance from shore.
Built in 1917 and lost after a fire at the dock at Tobermory in June of 1935, the Robert K. was 69 feet long. Today, she is broken and battered, and is an interesting sight, particularly for newer divers anticipating a look at their first shipwreck. Located in just 10 feet of water, this old tug is the first wreck many novices will ever see; and as such, the old wooden tug holds a place in many hearts.
Islander - Ontario Dive Sites
A sidewheel steamship built in 1871, the Islander is just one of the ships featured on the popular Seaway Trail. Originally named the James H. Kelley, and later renamed the John Thorn, the Islander got her final name in 1887 when she was added to the roster of the Thousand Islands Steamboat Company. 125 feet long, with a 20 foot beam and a seven foot draft, the ship served as a mail carrier and also gave river tours. On September 16th of 1909, she caught fire while tied up at her dock in Alexandria Bay, New York. She burned to the waterline before sinking, and is now resting upright, parallel to shore with her bow facing upriver. The port rail can be accessed at 30 feet, while the starboard rail is at 45 feet; a debris field surrounds the wreck, extending to maximum depth at 60 feet.
It is not possible to penetrate this wreck, however one can look in, under, and around it. In addition to the artifacts found in the debris field, a heap of objects has been placed on deck by divers who have found them; you can look at and touch the shoes, china, and other objects, but taking anything is forbidden by law.
Visibility at these sites varies seasonally, with the best visibility normally being during the winter. Ontario is home to a number of marvelous hotels, B&B’s, and other lodging, and there are numerous opportunities for fun and exploration topside between dives; kayaking, fishing, snowmobiling, skiing, hiking, and many other sports await.