A team of divers recently uncovered an intact shipwreck in Lake Ontario that may date back to the early 1800s. The discovery, which features standing masts, offers valuable insight into the shipbuilding history of the Great Lakes. The unidentified vessel was located approximately 100 meters below the surface by James Conolly, an archaeologist from Trent University, during an exploration initiated after a fibre-optic cable survey revealed a “large anomaly” in 2017.
The dive team faced an overwhelming sense of excitement upon finding the wreck, according to Heison Chak, President of the Ontario Underwater Council and leader of the dive. “It took us a few moments to calm ourselves down because it’s overwhelming finding a pristine wreck that is all in one piece,” Chak explained. He emphasized the rarity of such a find, noting that both masts of the ship were still intact—a feature not commonly seen in other wrecks he has encountered.
Chak, who has accumulated over two decades of diving experience across Canada, the United States, and the Caribbean, remarked on the significance of finding a topmast, which is crucial for ship rigging. “I have never seen a topmast in any wrecks that I have dove in Ontario or in the St. Lawrence River,” he stated. The dive team originally aimed to locate the wreck of the Rapid City, a vessel built in 1884 that sank in 1917, but were taken by surprise with this earlier ship.
Identifying the Ship’s Age and Historical Context
The team estimated the age of the newly discovered ship based on several key features. Notably, the absence of a centreboard and wheel on the aft deck, along with the older “rope” rigging, suggests the vessel likely dates to the first half of the 19th century. James Conolly noted that “metal rigging is only a common feature after the 1850s,” indicating that the ship predates this period.
Chak expressed his belief that the depth at which the ship lies—over 300 feet—makes it unlikely that anyone has previously explored the wreck. “I think we’re the first group, and that joy was just overwhelming,” he said. The discovery not only contributes to the historical narrative of the Great Lakes but also highlights the potential for further archaeological investigation in the region.
As investigations continue, the team hopes to learn more about the ship’s origins and the role it played in the maritime history of the Great Lakes. The pristine condition of the wreck provides a rare glimpse into a bygone era, fostering a deeper appreciation for the maritime heritage that shaped this region.
