Preserve Our Wrecks, Kingston

Pumpkin Dive Pics available..

2011-10-22T17:45:00.002-04:00

Tom Rutledge, who takes some of the best underwater pics in Kingston, got some great images of the divers at the Marine Museum's Pumpkin Dive this morning. Visit his Flickr page to see them.

Help the Marine Museum's Pumpkin Dive to succeed!

2011-10-18T16:34:00.002-04:00

The Marine Museum is hosting a Pumpkin Carving event this coming weekend. Members and other divers are encouraged to get out and support it. Details in the flyer here.

NAS Video from September..

2011-10-05T22:11:00.001-04:00

Ever wondered what a NAS course consists of..? This link will take you to a little video that runs you through the various parts and shows what the students got up to this September (2011)..

Help Wanted..

2011-07-20T08:02:00.004-04:00

Ben Holthof, Curator at the Marine Museum of the Great Lakes in Kingston is looking for contemporary videos and still photos of the Annie Falconer and the Aloha wrecks to support an exhibit planned for the next few months. He is perfectly happy to give credit for any material loaned to the Museum. Please contact him directly to make any offers or to discuss the requirements. E-Mail Ben at the Marine Museum.

'Students' Wanted - for Nautical Archaeology Training

2011-07-20T07:59:00.003-04:00

Preserve Our Wrecks will offer another in their series of Nautical Archaeology Courses this September, between the 16th and 18th. Drawing on the support of the trainers from Save Ontario Shipwrecks, the course will cover everything needed to equip a diver to assist with underwater survey work. Further details can be obtained from Mike Hill You can download an application form for the course by clicking here.

Moorings Up and Running..

2011-05-04T10:58:00.002-04:00

No, not all of them, but a handful of the most popular ones are already in place - and it's just the first week of May. Examples of moorings already in place, the Munson, Comet and Cornwall. Keep an eye on our website and the Mooring Status report to get the latest information.

2011-04-14T00:15:00.001-04:00

It was winter and the ice divers had just came out of the hole and their line tender was really happy. Happy because the air bubbles trapped under the ice stopped finding their way to the hole where they burst a spray of water onto him - these now have a technical term "ice farts"; it was funny for those of us not splattered in icy water. It was the dead of winter and yet it was time to start thinking about raising the moorings. It seemed early, but not given the huge amount of planning and investment in time and money needed.

Raising the moorings is by far the most important project of the year for POW. The moorings save the wrecks from errant anchors damaging them, save fuel and time and allow safer dives so that we can enjoy the wooden treasures. Until I got involved with POW I never thought about the bouys. They were just there and all I had to do is follow the line to the wreck. Until I had to do a free descent and assent from a live boat I had no idea what a life-line the moorings were. Until I tried to estimate the cost of replacing worn out chain, old line/rope and buoys I had no idea how expensive that simple line was. Until I went to the gas dock with a charter boat I had no idea how much fuel cost.

The relatively simple act of raising a existing mooring involves a series of tasks that many divers seldom perform and in situations normally avoided. To start with the conditions are very cold (the ice diving reminded me of how cold), remember it will be early spring and before the diving season starts. The waves might be high and the decks covered lines, chains, buoys, tools, as well as dive gear. The dive boat finds the wreck by GPS and sonar. The divers have to be ready to dive in on the captain's signal; the divers have to do a free descent, find the wreck and find the end of the mooring line. Then they make sure the mooring line is still attached and not tangled before attaching a lift bag. Sending a lift-bag up is tricky, there needs to be enough air in the bag to lift 100 feet of line and chain to the surface; needless to say the divers need to stay on the bottom and keep free of the lift-bag and the mooring line. If all goes well then the divers can inspect the line as they ascend. If they did not find the mooring line then they have to do a free assent and move on to the next wreck.

Have you ever wondered where the mooring blocks come from? Apparently there are very few boat owners are willing to tie onto a 2 tonne block of concrete held up by a couple of big balloons. The boat could have a problem if the balloons leak or pop while being towed in 200 feet of water and the tow line is only 150 feet long. I’ll have to get details on how this is actually done.

The dive boats and expertise supplied by the charter companies are invaluable. Few boats have the sonar to accurately spot the wrecks and even fewer owners a willing to subject the boats to the wear and tear of chains, mooring balls, tools and dragging line over the gunwales . Without them the work could not be done. Keep in mind that the work start with repairing damaged buoys, fittings and lines in the winter and early spring. This is four months since their last charter and three months before their next charter. It is pretty tough on their cash flow. These dedicated business tend to go out when time and conditions permit. Usually this means during the week days and with very short notice. Multiple frequent trips are easier to set up so there will not be any attempt to set up a “mooring day”.

There are 22 wrecks out there that are moored. That is a lot to maintain. So if anyone happens to be on a wreck and has the skills to safely raise a mooring please mark it with a jug and let POW know. The jug will be replaced with a marking buoy as soon as possible.

Maritime Museum Resource List..

2011-03-01T11:39:00.003-05:00

A colleague from Save Ontario Shipwrecks recently shared this link to a list of Canadian Maritime Museums. Anyone who is travelling and has an interest in visiting them might like to bookmark the site.

AGM passes quietly... with cake !

2011-03-01T11:33:00.002-05:00

The AGM held recently in Kingston passed quietly. The anticipated talk on Australian Nautical Archaeology, by Ben Holthof, curator of the Marine Museum of the Great Lakes in Kingston, was excellent. Using a wide variety of images, Ben transported those attending to a warmer, quite different maritime environment. He outlined educational arrangements in Australia and discussed some of the challenges and rewards of undertaking research and survey work there.

On a formal note, the Board of POW remains unchanged. The evening also provided the occasion to announce the recipient of the Thibault Award for 2011 - Rick Neilson. Rick is amongst the longest serving members of our Organisation and a renowned researcher, author and campaigner for maritime heritage. In honour of our 30th anniversary of incorporation, a specially decorated cake was produced and enjoyed by everyone present.

Look out for future event information on this site - and on our webpage.

Annual General Meeting drawing near...

2011-02-17T10:48:00.002-05:00

Please make every effort to attend the Annual General Meeting of the Organisation, which takes place this Saturday at the Marine Museum of the Great Lakes in Kingston. There will be an illustrated talk on nautical archaeology in Australia and light refreshments for those attending.

Nominations for the Board and the submission of agenda items are now closed.

New video shows off the Princess Charlotte..

2010-11-28T20:57:00.003-05:00

The latest in a series of short, amateur videos showing off our wonderful wreck sites was completed today. It features the Princess Charlotte in Deadman Bay. Click here to view the film. Please advertise these short films to friends and colleagues who know little about our underwater riches, but probably have an interest in them.

The Charter Season comes to an end for 2010..?

2010-11-13T18:11:00.002-05:00

The First Mate's smile says it all as Anne removes her dive gear after two great dives on the Munson today. The result - at last - the block has been re-positioned a little further off the wreck, where it will not drape the line across the wreck in any weather conditions (we hope!). The buoy was removed, effectively marking the end of the 2010 charter season. The last of Kingston's charter boats is likely to be removed to Winter storage in the next ten days or so. Great work from all concerned - and a really good way to mark one of the last boat diving opportunities of this year.

Most Moorings are down...

2010-11-12T09:21:00.003-05:00

Hard work by our mooring team and local divers has resulted in the successful recovery of most buoys and the dropping of associated mooring lines. Only a couple of lines remain useable. These are on the KPH and the Munson. Expect them to be available for only a couple of weeks though.

Cris Kohl article featured in Lakeland Boating Magazine..

2010-09-10T16:55:00.004-04:00

It's always good to see the boating community made more aware of the underwater environment and the fact that divers share the waters with them. Cris Kohl and his wife, Joan Forsberg are profiled in the latest, September, edition of Lakeland Boating. They have also contributed an excellent article on wreck diving in the Great Lakes. Click here to download the magazine and to enjoy the articles.

U-Boat Tales..

2010-08-24T08:03:00.004-04:00

This weekend saw the long-awaited visit of a dive group from the Washington, D.C. area. Sea Ventures, a dive store based in Fairfax, Virginia, has a marvelous program that studies the German wartime U-Boats sunk off the US coast, and then dives the ones that are accessible. Members graciously invited us to join them on charters aboard Proteus and to hear a presentation about their U-Boat course. The talk was excellent. Video, still pictures and historical input were all combined to create a fascinating account of the Battle of the Atlantic, the U-Boat development program and the particular fate of the Boats visited by Sea Ventures.

There is an opportunity to join Sea Ventures for a dive on the U-1105 - off the Maryland coast - on September 18th. Please contact info@powkingston.org, if you are interested in this.

NAS Course a great success.. again.

2010-08-20T07:56:00.000-04:00

Despite rather unhelpful weather, last weekend's Nautical Archaeology Society Level One Course in Kingston, was a great success. Very professional tutoring, combined with the huge enthusiasm of the eight students, made for a really good atmosphere and a great outcome. It was also rewarding to see several former graduates of this programme turn out to assist with the practical aspects. Full report forthcoming in the next Newsletter, which is very close to issue.

Wreck Discovery in Lake Michigan..

2010-06-27T09:15:00.005-04:00

Information was passed this week about the discovery of a new wreck in Lake Michigan. I know this isn't strictly relevant locally, but it's always interesting to note that wrecks continue to be found in the Great Lakes. It's largely inaccessible to recreational divers at 300 feet, but there's some great footage in this video report out of Chicago.

Diver Propelled?

2010-06-05T11:15:00.002-04:00

Diver Propelled?
At the General Meeting the idea of a diver propelled vehicle race was floated. Is there anyone out there who can make an attempt at a neutral buoyancy, diver powered vehicle? The initial thought was to require a modified bicycle power drive.

If you are interested please let us know at:

http://powkingston.org/contactus.aspx

If there are no takers or too few then something else can be set up.

Thousand Islands Museum to present the 'Lost Fleet'

2010-05-15T04:15:00.002-04:00

The Thousand Islands Museum in Clayton, New York is hosting an event on June 5th that will describe the 'lost fleet' of vessels sunk in the region over the centuries. The principal speaker is Skip Couch - well known to most as a great researcher and author on dive subjects in the Thousand Islands. More information in the document available for download here.

Dive Detectives visit the Hamilton and Scourge...

2010-05-04T10:52:00.002-04:00

The Fletcher family, and others, familiar from Clive Cussler's Sea Hunters dive show, are featured in a new series on the History Channel. The show, Dive Detectives, will air an episode on the Hamilton and Scourge tomorrow evening, May 5th. Check out this link to get the details.

Mooring Season off to a great start..

2010-04-15T05:03:00.003-04:00

Anyone living in and around Kingston will have noted that conditions have been absolutely marvellous for several days. This has presented the opportunity this week to get out and lift some of the many moorings we maintain in local waters. The commitment of local charter operators to this effort is incredible, and immensely appreciated. Many thanks this week to Kingston Dive Charters and to Pat's Charters. The pic shows Anne, of the former, and Pat of the latter, enjoying a lighter moment on one trip to service the moorings.

For the record, lines and markers are now up on the following wrecks: The Frontenac, Marsh, Comet, Douglas, Davie and Mapleglen. Look out for more to follow in short order, particularly the Wolfe Islander, on which a buoy is likely to appear later this week.

Annual Scuba Swap..

2010-03-29T10:13:00.002-04:00

It may be of interest to our members and readers that the Ontario Underwater Explorers are once again holding a Scuba Swap Meet in Etobicoke on Saturday, April 17th. Full details downloadable by clicking here.

Spring Newsletter online...

2010-03-04T15:51:00.002-05:00

The Spring Newsletter of Preserve Our Wrecks is available for download now. Just click here to open the document. It's to be hoped that you'll find something interesting in the contents. If you don't - then please consider dropping us a line to suggest what would be more appealing to you - or perhaps even to contribute an article for the next edition.

FREE dive on the Munson - June 6th...

2010-03-02T09:13:00.004-05:00

Kingston Dive Charters have generously offered Preserve Our Wrecks 14 places for a dive on the Munson on the afternoon of Sunday, June 6th. Members in good standing can send bids to benefit from this great deal to me now. If you've been holding off on renewal - or considering becoming a member of POW for some time - now's the time to get cracking. Mail me now to reserve your seat. Membership renewals can be done online...

I will register responses in the strict order of receipt and advise successful applicants immediately.

Nautical Archaeology Training Opportunity...

2010-03-02T08:42:00.003-05:00

Preserve Our Wrecks has negotiated with Save Ontario Shipwrecks for delivery of a Nautical Archaeology Society Level One course over the weekend of August 13-15 this year. The course will be held in Kingston and is expected to cover all aspects of Level One certification, including the Open Water component. The weekend may also provide the opportunity for those who still require Open Water work from last year's course to fulfill the obligation. Please contact me directly to register for the August course or to learn more about it.

Check out the Marine Museum on Facebook...

2010-03-02T08:34:00.002-05:00

POW has always had close ties with the Marine Museum of the Great Lakes in Kingston, so members may want to be aware that the Museum has an active Facebook page. This is the go-to site for up-to-date information on all the Museum's activities. Highly recommended.

President speaks to Canadian Sport Divers..

2010-02-27T08:37:00.005-05:00

Following up on an earlier visit to Belleville to speak to the Canadian Sport Divers, a visit was made recently to review POW's work over 2009 and to look ahead to this year's activities. The Belleville-based Club is very active and very committed to protection of the marine environment. There was a good turnout and a lot of interest in our work, which is very heartening. A couple of divers declared interest in the Nautical Archaeology Course that we're to hold in August. All in all, a very enjoyable and rewarding evening.

What does Nautical Archaeology Training look like..?

2010-01-27T09:06:00.003-05:00

Check out the excellent video prepared by Save Ontario Shipwrecks and posted to YouTube showing scenes from last year's NAS 1 conducted in Brockville. Don't be intimidated by all the double-tank rigs. This was an unusual course featuring a class of mainly technically-trained divers. The study subjects and exercises though apply to all training regimes.

Annual General Meeting Confirms the Board Line-Up

2010-01-24T16:45:00.007-05:00

The 2010 Annual General Meeting passed this afternoon without any great excitements. About 18 people were in attendance. This was a good turnout for this time of year and considering how many members actually live some distance away from Kingston. The formal proceedings took just under an hour. Then, everyone was treated to an excellent, illustrated talk on Kingston's Naval Dockyard and its development over the years by Sue Bazely, Executive Director of the Cataraqui Archaeological Research Foundation.

There being no opposing nominations, and with the agreement of the volunteers concerned and the approval of the Meeting, the entire Board of Directors was voted in for another year of service. The Board members are:

Mike Hill - President
Steve Chew - Vice President
Marg Barker - Secretary
Dianne Groll - Treasurer
Harold Vandenberg - Mooring Director
Kevin LeBlanc - Director

Ken Mullings

It was announced that Ken Mullings had been awarded the Thibault Award for 2010. A citation outlining his remarkable work for POW can be read by clicking here.

Thank you to everyone who was able to attend - and to Sue for the courtesy of making the premises available and an excellent address.

Come along and find out who's the new Thibault Award Winner..

2010-01-20T13:50:00.002-05:00

Don't miss the announcement of this year's Thibault Award winner at this Sunday's Annual General Meeting. After a year in 2009 when no nominations were considered, your Board had a clear outcome in this year's process. The worthy recipient will be identified on Sunday, at the AGM, which starts at 2 pm at the Kingston Archaeology Centre at 611 Princess St. Celebrate afterwards with light refreshments and exercise your right to challenge the Board on their work...

Tax Receipts are on the way...

2010-01-09T20:40:00.003-05:00

Part of this weekend has been dedicated to preparing and despatching the POW 2009 Income Tax Receipts for members. If you don't see yours in a few days (most will be sent by e-mail) please mail me to let me know. The support of members is invaluable to the Organisation and this is one of the only ways that we can give you something back.

Don't forget - the Annual General Meeting takes place at the Kingston Archaeology Centre on Sunday, January 24th, starting at 2pm. Besides the necessary business, there will be an introduction to the Centre and a talk on a topic of particular pertinence to the City's Marine Heritage.

New Video Promotes Kingston Diving and our Wrecks...

2009-12-20T10:03:00.002-05:00

Harold and Anne at Kingston Dive Charters feature in an excellent video distributed by Canada Travel and featuring Kingston's wreck diving opportunities. Well done to both of them. It's great to see someone stepping up to do the job that our City and its tourism offices should be doing...

If you visit the site, be sure to comment positively and encourage everyone to come and share our wrecks - and contribute to their protection.

Annual General Meeting Arrangements...

2009-12-18T10:13:00.003-05:00

2009 Members in good standing will receive a personal invitation to attend the Annual General Meeting, but just in case, here's the information you need for your 2010 diaries and calendars.

The Meeting will take place at the Kingston Archaeological Centre (home to the Cataraqui Archaeological Research Foundation) on Sunday, January 24th, starting at 2pm. A keynote presentation will be given by Sue Bazely, CARF's Executive Director. It will include new revelations about discoveries made at Kingston's historic Naval Dockyard.

Nominations for the governing Board are cordially invited. Please confirm that anyone you nominate is prepared to stand for office before submitting their name to our Secretary, Marg Barker.

The quickest and easiest way to renew your membership is by visiting our website and using the online arrangements provided by Canada Helps.

The opportunity will also be made available to renew subscriptions on the day.

Wherever the holiday season finds you - have a safe and happy one!

Fish sighted - Cayman Brac

2009-12-17T16:07:00.003-05:00

Here's an update. Started scootering from shore. Its a hoot, especially when the current us up. Save a lot on air. But you have to be careful not to go to far. Water temp is between 81 and 83.

No pictures, but here is a short list of what we saw:
-Spotted Eagle Ray, 6 turtles (on the last dive), peacock flounder, Yellowtail Snapper (very tasty), Queen Couch (in season and very tasty too), Stingray, Spotted Moray Eel, etc,

There are 41 positively identified and more the I am not sure about.
http://www.tropicalrunaway.com/

New wreck site located in Lake Ontario...

2009-12-15T10:55:00.003-05:00

Intrepid wreck researchers Dan Scoville and Jim Kennard have announced another discovery. Their website, Shipwreckworld, contains full details of the discovery and features many pictures and an excellent video.

POW to report on Guenter's Survey...

2009-11-14T08:06:00.002-05:00

POW President, Mike Hill, will speak at the Marine Museum in Kingston on Sunday, November 15th. His brief is to inform a wider audience about progress on the survey of the wreck known as Guenter's, which has been the subject of examination by POW volunteers over the Summer.

Come along to hear what's been discovered - and what remains to be done.

Doors open at 1:45 for the 2 pm talk.

POW on Daily Planet...

2009-10-21T12:08:00.002-04:00

Last night the Discovery Channel's Daily Planet programme featured the work of Preserve Our Wrecks as its lead item. The feature is the result of a visit to Kingston earlier this year in preparation for the Show's Fall lineup. The piece is a good one. It can be viewed online by clicking here. It's very gratifying to see that a Canadian programme devoted to international scientific issues should have taken an interest in our work - and more gratifying still to see that their report very accurately represents our work and its challenges and realities. While we may not have achieved everything we would have liked this season, a very good start has certainly been made. And it's not necessarily the case that we have made our last visit of 2009 to the site...

Shipwreck Hunters chalk up another find..

2009-08-31T10:21:00.005-04:00

Dan Scoville and Jim Kennard, who famously located the wreck of HMS Ontario last year, have made yet another discovery in the deep waters of Lake Ontario. The wreck of the steamer Samuel F. Hodge has been found off Oak Orchard N.Y. Amazing sonar pictures and video of the site can be viewed on the Shipwreck World website by clicking here.

Nautical Archaeology Training Opportunity...

2009-08-27T10:25:00.001-04:00

Save Ontario Shipwrecks has announced the availability of places on a NAS Level 1 course in Ottawa in late September. Anyone interested in this opportunity can obtain more details from Chris Holloway or download the registration form by clicking here. NAS Level 1 is an excellent introduction to both theoretical and practical aspects of avocational underwater archaeology.

Alexander Henry turns 50 - and POW is there...

2009-08-15T17:36:00.004-04:00

Today, the Marine Museum of the Great Lakes celebrated the 50th anniversary of the launch of her signature vessel, the Coastguard icebreaker Alexander Henry, with a variety of events on site. Preserve Our Wrecks, closely associated with the history of the Museum, was delighted to provide a presence and to organize a diving demonstration. Friends from the Dolphin Scuba Club - and the Museum's own curator - Ben Holthof ventured into the basin of the dry dock and, using full-face masks with communication devices built in, were able to enjoy a dialogue with interested spectators topsides. Adam Rushton, who was good enough to provide the masks, also enabled visitors to watch the divers through a monitor linked to an underwater camera. The day was a great success - and members are advised to follow up on the celebrations of the vessel's birthday by getting along to the Brew Pub in downtown Kingston in the coming days. The Pub has commissioned a special 'Icebreaker Ale' for a limited period. Quite apart from the enjoyment of this fine beverage, patrons will be benefiting the Museum with a donation of 50¢ for every pint sold.

Getting the message across...

2009-08-08T12:31:00.005-04:00

This weekend, the Poker Run roared into Kingston. This annual event brings strong emotions to the fore. You can imagine that when Preserve Our Wrecks was invited to share a space in Confederation Park during the event with a wide variety of other organizations there was a debate about our acceptance. The argument was won by those who insisted that we could capitalize on the audience that the Poker Run attracts to get our own message across. Our experience today bears out the wisdom of this approach. I don't believe that we attracted any of the hard core speed demons to our stand, but we did answer a lot of enquiries about our work from the general public. The efforts we've been making to publicize our activities are clearly paying off. Many of those who spoke to our representatives, Dianne, Marg and Steve, had seen our news spots and read about our survey work. They were unanimously supportive of what we do.

Many thanks to those who gave up their Saturday to serve Preserve Our Wrecks. Their support is a fine example of what keeps us going. As I said to a couple of people today. The POW operating budget probably wouldn't buy enough gas to get one of the cigarette boats to the starting line, but we still have fun and do a lot of good work...

SOS Ottawa offers Nautical Archaeology Training

2009-07-15T10:00:00.002-04:00

SOS Ottawa is running a NAS Level One course over the weekend 24-26 July at the Nepean Sportsplex. Bids for places on the course, with payment, should be made by July 19th. Details can be found on the SOS website or by downloading the information sheet accessed by clicking here.

More divers contribute to the survey work on Guenter's

2009-07-10T18:00:00.003-04:00

The fine weather today permitted 5 divers to descend on Guenter's wreck and complete more work on the ongoing survey. Preliminary studies and baseline capture work are almost complete. Very shortly, the datum points will be placed and the detailed measurements that we hope will go towards the identification of the wreck can begin. Particular examination of currently accessible features is producing encouraging results. The accompanying picture shows Lynn, one of our NAS-trained volunteers, moving along the wreck centreline, recording lengths and depths.

Preserve Our Wrecks makes National TV News...

2009-07-08T20:08:00.003-04:00

Some time after a visit to investigate our survey work on the site of Guenter's Wreck, Global National TV featured divers engaged in the project this evening. This link will take you to coverage. The interest in our work is very welcome. It's already clear that it has awoken interest both locally and further afield. Hopefully, this will give us a leg up when the time comes to seek additional financial and practical support for the activities of Preserve Our Wrecks.

Summer Newsletter now available online...

2009-07-03T22:38:00.002-04:00

The Summer edition of our Newsletter can now be downloaded from our website. If you want to take a shortcut, click here.

Ungentlemanly Conduct...

2009-06-28T21:38:00.003-04:00

An incident occurred on the Lake today that was most unfortunate. A dive charter operator, who had no reasonable grounds to do so, refused another operator access to a mooring.

Preserve Our Wrecks deplores behaviour like this. It is worth remarking that the moorings we place are positioned primarily to protect the wrecks they mark. No charter operator is entitled to treat them as their private domain. Local charter operators face stringent economic times. Cooperation between them is strongly encouraged and the suggestion that any one, for whatever reason, might seek to suggest by their actions a proprietary interest in particular sites is shocking.

There were representatives of no less than four thriving dive clubs on the boat that was sent away today. The ill-considered actions of the operator who acted in such a high-handed fashion will have done little to encourage future bookings.

Just another day on the water...

2009-06-26T17:33:00.004-04:00

Despite a thunderstorm watch and some very intimidating grey skies, seven divers, from two boats, participated in work on the survey this afternoon. The picture shows the Steve and Steve team with Pat Coyne, one of the charter operators good enough to make a boat available to POW.

Work today included measurement of the stern features, collection of a depth profile and detailed measurement of the Riding Bitts, including placement of them in relation to the ship's sides and stem. Efforts to locate the keelson, using a sub-bottom profiling device, have so far been unsuccessful. Such minor frustrations just make the work more interesting though.

Preserve Our Wrecks thanks all the divers - and particularly the two boat captains, Pat and Mark Hanley.

Video Montage of the NAS Course now available...

2009-06-23T05:35:00.004-04:00

Adam Rushton, who was good enough to attend various aspects of the land phase of the recent Nautical Archaeology Course and to capture some video memories of the activities, has made an excellent pair of montage films available on You Tube®.

Click here for the first, which concentrates on pool activities and here for the second, which, besides pool shots, contains some lecture material and student discourses on the excellent deductive exercise.

A big thank you to Adam for this excellent footage.

Discovery Channel Crew visit Guenter's Site...

2009-06-22T14:13:00.005-04:00

Divers from Preserve Our Wrecks were interviewed today by the Discovery Channel during another survey visit to the site of Guenter's Wreck. This welcome attention for the work we're doing neatly complemented the front page story in the Kingston Whig Standard. The well written piece outlined our hopes for the work, included authoritative commentary from Parks Canada expert, Jonathan Moore, and set our work in its proper context.

It's likely that the piece being prepared by the Discovery Channel will air on Daily Planet sometime in the Fall. The intention is that the channel will keep pace with developments over the summer and report progress on the work of researching and working towards identification of the vessel in a wrap-up piece.

Work today included further photo taking, the introduction of Steve, a newcomer to the site, to the various features - and some general stock-taking. The visibility was very good and the strong sunlight overhead penetrated the depths rather well, making for good ambient light shots. A selection of recent pictures is available for perusal on our Flickr site.

Survey Work Continues on Guenter's

2009-06-16T19:54:00.002-04:00

Thanks to the generous assistance of a local boat owner, who made his vessel available to us today, we got in a good working dive on the wreck that is our principal survey target. The picture shows measurements being taken of an interesting, and conspicuous, cylindrical wooden object protruding from the centre of the wreck, and lying out, at an angle, over the Port side. In our opinion (untested and unchallenged) this is too small for a mast (and masts were all believed to have been removed), but no obvious attribution is forthcoming. Other significant wooden projections are present, and hard to identify. With each dive, the puzzle becomes both clearer and more opaque. More objects are noted - and more remain invisible. Almost the whole Port side lies under silt that cannot be disturbed. Moving around the wreck, interest and suspicion are aroused by objects that may, or may not, be associated with it. Keep following this blog to find out where we stand in our work - and whether we get any closer to the answers.

Nautical Archaeology Training rounded off...

2009-06-13T19:04:00.004-04:00

Today provided the opportunity to complete the open water work for the Nautical Archaeology Course commenced in May. Thirteen divers assembled at Portsmouth Harbour to undertake the underwater exercises required to achieve full Level One certification. The weather cooperated almost completely (we'll overlook the last half hour or so of drizzle, which gave a perfect justification for adjourning to the Portsmouth Tavern). The Lake was calm and the day mainly overcast; a bonus for divers wearing heavy exposure protection or drysuits to dive in the 56℉ (13℃) waters. Judging by the smiles and enthusiasm of the participants, there was fun to be had as well as knowledge and experience.

A huge thank you is due to all of those who came to take part - and especially to Marg Barker, our NAS tutor, who did an excellent job of encouraging and guiding everyone.

POW makes the Kingston News...

2009-06-05T10:15:00.003-04:00

Your President and Treasurer were only mildly discomfited yesterday to find themselves the subject of local media attention. CKWS News, who lead Kingston's local TV coverage spoke to us about progress on our survey of Guenter's Wreck. You can view the footage and read the transcript of the short segment here. The underwater footage was shot very recently on and nearby the wreck itself. It gives a reasonable feel for the site.

TV Team visits Guenter's Survey Site...

2009-06-02T19:09:00.003-04:00

Media interest in the work that Preserve Our Wrecks is doing in Kingston to identify Guenter's Wreck has been quite steady this Spring. Today, a reporter and cameraman from Global National TV, based in Toronto, visited to discuss the work to date and to shoot some footage of dive operations. They were impressed, as all the media representatives have been, with the significance of Kingston's maritime heritage and the wrecks that represent it.

The interview and coverage, probably just a small news item, are expected to air sometime early next week. It's likely that the piece will include underwater footage shot by Preserve Our Wrecks.

Fly through HMS Ontario ... CAD images online..

2009-06-01T09:04:00.002-04:00

Members who have followed the story of the discovery of HMS Ontario last year, and who are interested in the ship, may like to visit this site, which features a computer generated tour of the vessel. And while you're passing the time, check out the original underwater scenes shot by the vessel's discoverers.

Online Subscription and donations now possible...

2009-05-23T20:22:00.005-04:00

In the interests of making it easier for our supporters to renew their annual subscriptions and to make donations, Preserve Our Wrecks has now enlisted the support of Canada Helps, an organisation that provides online donation opportunities for charities. You can even use your credit cards - what could be easier..?

If you wish to use the new facility, the link is on our homepage with details of membership rates (in a downloadable application form) You don't need to submit an application form when you pay through Canada Helps, just tell us who you are and which category of membership you're seeking in the remarks box.

We hope that this will be a welcome development and that it may further expand our membership and levels of support.

Preparations well advanced for our Summer Survey...

2009-05-23T20:00:00.002-04:00

Many of you are interested in supporting our Summer Survey work. This year's project is the wreck known for many years as 'Guenter's Wreck'. Although little remains of the original structure of the vessel, sufficient evidence is available, many experts believe, to identify its type and period, and perhaps even to be able to name it as a specific ship.

This week a block was placed to enable work on the survey to be undertaken from a mooring. Earlier visits have relied on locating the site and either anchoring nearby or requiring divers to rely for surface support on a boat circulating overhead. Some graduates of the recent Nautical Archaeology Society course held in Kingston are likely to be amongst those working on the wreck in the weeks ahead. Look out for more details shortly - or contact us at info@powkingston.org to offer your support.

We have already enlisted researchers and videographers. Offers of boats to support the survey have also been gratefully accepted. We'll keep you in touch as work proceeds.

Mooring Status Update now available...

2009-05-10T21:42:00.004-04:00

DIver and charter operators alike will be pleased to note that POW's online mooring update is now available. If you detect an error, or have new information to offer, please contact us to make us aware of it - in the interests of all your fellow divers and boat operators.

Have a great and a safe season...

Nautical Archaeology Course - Day One

2009-05-02T22:19:00.006-04:00

The long-awaited Nautical Archaeology Course began today. Twenty one students benefited from superbly coordinated and delivered instruction from the Parks Canada team drawn from their Underwater Archaeology Service. The morning concentrated on survey techniques and the background to the whole discipline. An excellent exercise using real artifacts and challenging the students deductive skills began. It will run throughout the course in stages, with each introducing more information until firm conclusions about the origins of the various objects and the vessel to which they relate can be drawn.

The afternoon provided the challenge of working survey skills in an outdoor environment and the evening brought the realities of testing those same skills underwater. Altogether, the day was a great success and pleased the students, who had come from as far afield as Toronto and Montreal to attend the session...

T-Shirts in Stock...

2009-04-28T11:56:00.006-04:00

The POW T-Shirts promised a week or so ago are now available for sale. Priced very reasonably at $12 to members and $15 for non members, the shirts, which come in Navy Blue only, can be ordered from our surface mail address. An order form is now available for download on the website. Post and Packing will be $5 to Canadian addresses, $7 to the Continental US. All prices in Canadian dollars.

Nautical Archaeology Course set for big attendance...

2009-04-25T19:23:00.003-04:00

The course being offered by POW over the May 2/3 weekend looks set to have a large number of students. Applications have been received from as far afield as Toronto and Montreal, reflecting the real need to provide this training. It's very gratifying for the organizers - and justifies the strong support being lent to the enterprise by Parks Canada. News of the course - and plans by POW for a major survey in Kingston waters this Summer - have caught the attention of many blogs and news sites with an interest in maritime history and shipwrecks. Late applications for the forthcoming course will be considered, but it's likely that there will be a waiting list.

POW T-Shirts coming soon...

2009-04-17T09:18:00.003-04:00

Featuring a simple design on a Navy Blue shirt, new T-Shirts will be available in early May. The Organization's logo will be shown prominently on the front and centre, with the slogan 'Preserving the Past, Protecting the Future'. The website address will be displayed on the reverse.

Pricing on these garments will be very competitive, and POW members will enjoy a substantial discount on the regular price. Expect to see the shirts for the first time on the NAS course over the May 2/3 weekend.

POW's good works gaining publicity...

2009-04-17T09:14:00.002-04:00

The efforts of various members are beginning to pay off this year in terms of recognition of our activities. This feature appeared on the Queen's University media site recently. Generally accurate, it highlights the training in avocational nautical archaeology that we will offer in early May - and the survey to be carried out a little later this Spring and early Summer. Your President and Treasurer ( a Queen's prof) were also interviewed by CBC' Radio's local correspondent a few days ago on the subject of the survey and POW's work. Expect to hear that very soon.

NAS Course Details now available..

2009-04-09T17:05:00.002-04:00

Parks Canada have been good enough to provide the program for the course to be held in Kingston on May 2/3. It can be downloaded by clicking here. This course will be rich with examples of the Underwater Archaeological Service's uniquely Canadian experience. Places are still available. Application forms are available on our website (link opposite).

2009-04-06T13:56:00.003-04:00

Many people interested in the maritime history of Lake Ontario will already possess Arthur Britton Smith's excellent book, "Legend of the Lake". The richly illustrated work tells the story of HMS Ontario, not only capturing the story of an important warship, but artfully outlining its role in the historical context of the development of Upper Canada.

Now, in the wake of the 2008 discovery of the wreck off the American shore of Lake Ontario, an updated edition of the book is available to readers. (ISBN: 1-55082-186-5) With the benefit of new imagery and knowledge of her fate, the book tells the whole story of HMS Ontario in three new chapters.

This is a must-have publication for anyone interested in sailing warships and the history of Lake Ontario and the communities that bordered it over the centuries.

Mystery Wreck talk well attended...

2009-03-29T14:33:00.003-04:00

The talk given by Nadine Kopp at the Marine Museum in Kingston was well attended and drew many questions from an attentive and well-informed audience. Nadine presented her findings from last year's survey of the wreck that lies in Navy Bay. Briefly, the wreck is quite likely a warship from the early 19th C. A short list of candidate vessels has been drawn up, none of which, given the limited evidence currently available, can be firmly identified. The picture shows POW President Mike Hill thanking Nadine on behalf of the three sponsors of the talk; POW, the Marine Museum and the Dolphin Scuba Club.

Nautical Archaeology Training Course Available...

2009-03-26T11:32:00.001-04:00

Everyone is reminded that vacancies are available on a Nautical Archaeology Level One course to be held in Kingston over the weekend of May 2/3. Instruction will be given by members of Parks Canada's Underwater Archaeology Service and the cost of the package will not exceed $200. This certification gives a great insight into ship construction, archaeological principles, survey techniques and methods as well as legal frameworks governing our activities underwater. It is highly recommended, even if you do not intend to undertake survey work. If you do, it is an invaluable foundation to that work. An application form can be downloaded by clicking here. It should be completed and returned by April 20th, if you wish to take the course.

Marine Museum Talk - Friday March 27th

2009-03-20T11:15:00.000-04:00

Don't miss the talk to be given at the Marine Museum of the Great Lakes in Kingston on Friday, March 27th at 7 pm. Nadine Kopp will describe the work she directed last year on an underwater survey of a mystery ship in Kingston's Navy Bay. Nadine's talk is based on one she presented to the Society for Historical Archaeology in Toronto earlier this year. There's a poster available for download by clicking here.

Great day at Great Lakes Underwater...

2009-03-08T09:27:00.004-04:00

The Great Lakes Underwater Event co-hosted on Saturday, March 7th in Oswego by the New York Sea Grant and the Oswego Maritime Foundation proved, once again, to be an outstanding venue for presentations and discussions on underwater topics, and especially those affecting the Great Lakes. Keynote speaker Jim Kennard delivered two tour-de-force contributions. In the first, he caught the audience up to developments in the process of bringing last year's discovery of HMS Ontario into the public eye. Jim expects that an agreement concluded with a media production company will result before long in a film that allows everyone to enjoy 'access' to the historic shipwreck while providing an accurate context and background to its original role and purpose. His second talk, in the afternoon, focused on three shipwrecks discovered in the deeper waters of Lake Ontario, including the only surviving dagger-board schooner believed to exist.

Other speakers talked about such varied subjects as 'Mapping the Titanic', which outlined the effort to catalogue and geo-locate the artifacts recovered from that incredible site and the story of the U.S. Navy's first warship to sail the Great Lakes, the USS Oneida - an American participant in the War of 1812.

For those who wonder whether this event is worth the 200 Km drive from Kingston, which, incidentally, runs through some of the most beautiful countryside in Upper New York State, I can honestly say - Yes...

Congratulations - and a sincere thank you - to the organisers and their sponsors.

Spring Newsletter online...

2009-03-03T10:25:00.002-05:00

Members - and other interested parties - are now able to read the Spring Newsletter. Just click here to view and download your copy. There's news of what lies ahead for POW - and of events that might interest you. The next Newsletter will be produced in May. Please consider contributing your news and pictures - or ideas for things that POW might do to attract new members and inform and entertain existing ones...

Cataraqui Archaeological Research Foundation celebrate new home...

2009-02-19T16:44:00.002-05:00

Saturday, March 7th will see the Grand Opening of the new premises occupied by CARF at 611 Princess St, Kingston. There will be public tours of the new offices and information about the Foundation's history and its work. An information leaflet about the day is accessible by clicking here.

NAS training to be offered by SOS...

2009-02-12T09:40:00.005-05:00

Save Ontario Shipwrecks have just announced a great leap forward in the business of underwater archaeological training in the Province. In a landmark deal with the Nautical Archaeology Society, they have gained permission to run courses under NAS auspices in Ontario. This is a really welcome development. Resources for training have been significantly lacking in recent years, despite the best efforts of government agencies at all levels and interested avocational groups like SOS and POW. The news release announcing the development can be downloaded by clicking here.

AGM Minutes online...

2009-01-30T13:30:00.001-05:00

Members - and any other interested party - can now click here to view the Minutes of POW's Annual General Meeting.

AGM Outcomes...

2009-01-26T11:27:00.002-05:00

The Annual General Meeting was held in Kingston on Saturday, January 24th. There was a good turnout of members who have renewed for 2009. It was a particular pleasure to conduct business in the Marine Museum of the Great Lakes, a venue with which POW has been closely associated over the years.

Full Minutes of the meeting will be published on the website in due course. Members will be interested to know immediately that the Board composition has changed. Three of last year's directors, Jen Bush, Dan Haslip and Christopher Haslip did not stand for office again. Their work for POW in 2008 is much appreciated and their support is sought in what will be a busy year for the group. Mike Hill, who indicated his willingness to continue service on the Board was confirmed as a director. New directors, who were elected to the positions indicated in a follow-up Board Meeting on the day, are Marg Barker (Secretary); Dianne Groll (Treasurer); Harold Vandenberg (Mooring Director); Steve Chew (Vice President) and Kevin LeBlanc. Mike Hill was elected to the office of President for a second year.

Members will immediately notice that, for personal reasons, Nick Drakich has reluctantly given up the duties of Secretary and Treasurer. Nick's commitment to POW - and his vast institutional memory and considerable local experience - will be sorely missed. It is the intention of the Board to co-opt him regularly, as his time and circumstances allow, to assist in its deliberations.

Wreck Photos sought for AGM...

2008-12-16T14:51:00.004-05:00

In an effort to remind our members what a rich variety of wrecks we enjoy in and around Kingston, it's planned to stage a photographic exhibition at the AGM. This will be open to the public after the event.

Please submit your best pictures, in the highest resolution possible, to me (mike.hill@mac.com) as soon as possible. We're imposing a limit of three pictures per person to give everyone a chance to have their work seen.

All images displayed will be fully credited and their copyright maintained. Post processed pictures will be accepted.

Mike Hill
President, Preserve Our Wrecks

Guenter's Pictures now online..

2008-12-08T10:52:00.003-05:00

Members may be interested to see some images of Guenter's wreck taken late last month. They're on our Flickr site, which can be accessed from this page - see the links below right.

If this wreck interests you, it's well worth reading a relatively accurate account of its situation in an article from the Kingston Whig Standard dated December 1st. Click here to read the piece.

AGM Date Confirmed...

2008-12-03T19:35:00.003-05:00

The date set for POW's Annual General Meeting some time ago is confirmed as Saturday, January 24th, 2009. It will take place in the Marine Museum of the Great Lakes in Kingston, beginning at 2 pm.

There will be an opportunity before the meeting - at 1:30 pm - for members who have not had a chance to pay their annual subscriptions to do so. Remember - only current members have voting rights at the AGM.

This meeting is one to attend - the coming year should be a busy and exciting one for POW - make sure you're a part of it...

War of 1812 Shipwreck Booklet Available...

2008-12-01T09:22:00.003-05:00

The book launch for the new publication prepared by Jonathan Moore for the series sponsored by the Cataraqui Archaeological Research Foundation took place in Kingston yesterday. Jonathan gave an excellent, richly illustrated presentation on the War of 1812 Shipwrecks in Kingston, on which he is a leading authority. His new book (ISBN: 978-0-9783359-2-2) was available for sale at C$ 7-95. The 30 page soft-cover work has many wonderful images that expand understanding of Kingston's local shipwrecks of the period concerned.

Copies of the book will be available from CARF (call 613 542 3483) at 611 Princess Street, Kingston, and probably also the Marine Museum of the Great Lakes at 55 Ontario Street.

Guide to the Stacked Hulls online...

2008-11-23T22:19:00.003-05:00

POW is pleased to announce that a downloadable guide to finding and visiting the popular Stacked Hulls dive site in Kingston is now available on our website. Click here to download the guide. If you plan to visit the site after using the guide, do please pay close attention to the Cautionary Notes included in it.

Talk on the War of 1812 Wrecks ...

2008-11-17T12:42:00.002-05:00

Jonathan Moore, a well-known author on the topic and member of Parks Canada's Underwater Archaeology Service, will be speaking at the Marine Museum in Kingston on Sunday, November 30th at 2 pm to launch his new book on "Shipwrecks from the War of 1812 at Kingston: A Look Beneath the Waves"

This should be an interesting talk for anyone interested in the wrecks of the period -

Fall Newsletter out now...

2008-11-16T17:45:00.003-05:00

The Fall edition of the POW Newsletter is out now. Download it from our website and enjoy reading about issues that interest local divers. There's a mystery structure to test your theories on and a major interview with Warren Lo, who takes superb photographs of local wrecks. He's been good enough to share some tips with our readers. Be sure and check a copy out soon - and then circulate it to all your diving friends..

Interesting Structures in Kingston Waters...

2008-11-07T08:12:00.003-05:00

I had the opportunity on November 6th to dive on a couple of major structures that lie along the pipeline that served the pumphouse near the Marine Museum in Kingston. One of these, a massive wooden crib (previously noted, I think, earlier this year, by Tom Rutledge and fellow divers) is difficult to attribute. I'll place some pics of that in a while and bets on what purpose it served can be laid. The second structure, which staff at the Pumphouse had actually asked for imagery of, is the 'tower' serving (to protect / support ?) the intake pipe for the building.

Here are a few pictures of the structure and intake pipe. An interesting site - it's fascinating to imagine the engineering involved in putting this in place at the time it was constructed. By the way, for the fishermen out there, these two locations are a haven for Bass.

Buoy removal almost complete...

2008-11-02T16:44:00.003-05:00

Some excellent work by volunteers has seen the task of retrieving the buoys from our wrecks almost completed this weekend. Near perfect conditions have certainly helped. Sunshine beamed down all weekend and the wind was generally out of the North.
The following wrecks are no longer marked. Aloha, Comet, Davie, Marsh, Wolfe Islander II, KPH and the Maple Glen. Check our website (link on the right) for an up to date mooring status statement.

Mooring Removal Continues...

2008-10-29T16:10:00.003-04:00

The bleak weather of the last week or so has not discouraged our Mooring Director from his pursuit of the remaining mooring buoys placed around the Lake's Canadian waters. Marks have been removed from the Munson, City of Sheboygan, Terry's Tug and the William Jamieson. It's planned to lift most remaining buoys over the coming weekend, ideally on Saturday. If anyone else is in a position to assist with removal of the buoys, they should contact Harold (whose number is on our website) for advice on the work and to keep him in the loop.

Buoy Removal begins...

2008-10-12T19:39:00.004-04:00

The Thanksgiving Weekend has seen the first of the changes to our Mooring Status. Buoys or jugs marking the locations of the Frontenac, China, Katie Eccles and the S.M. Douglas have all been removed and the mooring lines dropped.

It is also reported that the bow line on the Wolfe Islander II has been damaged and is unavailable.

If you become aware of other changes - or you wish to advise us of any concerns about the mooring buoys maintained by Preserve Our Wrecks, please use our 'contact us' pages.

Wilderness Battleship...

2008-10-01T12:36:00.003-04:00

Last night's lecture by Tim Abel of the Jefferson County Historical Society in New York provided a fascinating glimpse into the extraordinary efforts made over the Winter of 1814 to build warships at Storr's Harbour (near the much better known Sacket's Harbour). His title refers to the challenges of building major warships in, what in those days, was a sparsely populated wilderness territory lacking any industrial base or indigenous labour force. He brought his subject to life with good humoured asides on the ambiguous attitudes of local Americans, who regarded cross-border smuggling, even in wartime, as a reasonable pursuit. For Canadians, and especially Kingstonians, who are often focused on our local naval history, this was a wonderful insight into affairs across the Lake. Many thanks to the Cataraqui Archaeological Research Foundation for sponsoring this excellent lecture.

A little background to the KGH Wreck...?

2008-09-22T11:59:00.006-04:00

Long-time POW member, Rick Neilson passed me an article recently that seems to relate directly to the wreck we've been referring to as the KGH Wreck, off Murney Tower. It dates from August 25th, 1881 and here's the full text:

"OBSTRUCTION REMOVED - Some time ago while the hulk of an old barge, from which hoisting machinery had been taken, was being towed across the harbour, it grounded upon the bar of Point Frederick. The obstruction was not only dangerous but unsightly, and some ill feeling was caused on account of the efforts which were made to have it removed at once. The position of the civic functionaries did not seem to have been properly appreciated, but a plain duty had to be performed, and it appears to have been executed with as little unpleasantness as possible. The old barge has been towed to and sunk off Murney Tower, and will, Capt Gaskin says, be regarded as the commencement of the breakwater which it is proposed to build there."

That there is little or nothing to suggest the presence of a breakwater now, suggests that this structure was never constructed.

Dive 'n Dine a modest success...

2008-09-19T21:32:00.003-04:00

This evening's event for Preserve Our Wrecks, featuring a dive outing and on-board barbecue, courtesy of Proteus Diving, brought 14 divers (and a couple of non-divers) out to Treasure Island Marina. The dive portion of the evening was conducted on the Wolfe Islander II - a favourite, and always a site that delivers. Tonight it was absolutely alive with Bass at the stern and on the afterdecks. Despite visibility of only about 20-30 feet, most visitors found the new Yamaha motorbike and both 'gnomes'. Some were even lucky enough to enjoy a sighting of a now rare American Eel.

Moving back to Treasure Island, the barbecue was fired up for delicious hamburgers. The record for consumption, just for interest's sake, was 6 burgers. No prizes for guessing that the consumer was a young sportsman.

All in all, the evening was an opportunity for a good exchange of views between members. Hopefully, the model can be repeated in future.

Wilderness Battleship - Public Lecture - September 30th

2008-09-15T22:04:00.001-04:00

Anyone interested in the naval history of Lake Ontario should pencil in September 30th at 7 pm to attend a public lecture in Kingston's Memorial Hall (inside City Hall). The lecture, celebrating the '25th Anniversary Archaeology Public Lecture' series will be given by Timothy J. Abel, Director of the Jefferson County Historical Society in Watertown , New York. The title 'Wildnerness Battleship' will tell the story of Lake Ontario's Forgotten Naval Shipyard.

Admission is FREE...

International interest in our shipwrecks...

2008-09-04T12:12:00.005-04:00

I had the pleasure this morning of spending a couple of hours in the company of a reporter from the German radio network ARD. They were interested in Kingston's wonderful wreck diving and its historical context. I was able to take them out on the water and put some of our local landmarks into their proper place against the passage of the centuries. We visited the shallow sites in Deadman Bay and the remains of HMS St Lawrence. These locations make the richness of our legacy clear, but also demonstrate how little really remains to be seen - and how important it is to protect and preserve it. I was able to put recent excitement about wreck 'discoveries' into a more sensible perspective, stressing the need for caution over identifications and the exploitation of rare archaeological remains. Whenever we speak to anyone about our wrecks, particularly the ones of greater historical significance, we should be sure to mention their fragility and the need for care over visiting them.

More photography of the KGH wreck now available

2008-09-03T08:01:00.003-04:00

A group from Northern Tech Diver's Collins Bay base visited the KGH wreck yesterday. Tom Rutledge got some excellent shots of the site, which can be viewed on his Flickr Pages. If you haven't been able to see this wreck for yourself yet, they give a great impression of what to expect.

Visit the past - get out and dive the wreck off Kingston General Hospital

2008-09-01T17:06:00.008-04:00

A combination of work done by POW members, divers from G.L.U.E. and others has made a visit to the wreck off Kingston General Hospital really accessible to most divers. The picture above was taken today and there's some video taken by Kevin Leblanc on You Tube too. Check out other pics on Flickr too. The great news is that less than a week after a line was laid to the wreck, at least 24 divers have enjoyed this wreck already. What a shame that the City doesn't appreciate the need for access and the provision of basic facilities for divers seeking to enjoy the wrecks that lie at various points along the City's shores. I've heard it said that the City doesn't want to encourage more divers because there isn't the infrastructure to support them - but what comes first - the investment or the divers? Kingston's councillors would do well to look at the facilities provided to divers at sites along the St Lawrence - and reflect on the income these divers bring to local restaurants and other businesses.

Line laid to a wreck offshore from KGH

2008-08-28T23:30:00.001-04:00

Following up on an exploratory dive last week, local divers, many of them POW members, tonight placed a line from shore near Kingston General Hospital to a wreck that lies in 60 feet of water, just 20 minutes gentle swim away. The line starts around the 20 foot depth contour and is most easily located by entering the water somewhere near the middle of the car park close to Murney Tower and swimming eastwards along the 20 foot contour until you pick it up. It's bright yellow and leads almost directly south to the bow of the wreck.

The wreck is in very good condition; one of the more intact examples of what is certainly a sailing vessel and probably associated with use on the canal systems. It's almost a hundred feet long and about 24 feet wide. Care should be taken by visiting divers to avoid disturbing and damaging many upright features that have stood the test of time.

The wreck is well known already; it features on local charts, but it has not previously been of great interest, since it lies in the path of frequent boat traffic and didn't have any line to it from shore. For ease of reference, it may be useful (borrowing the example of the KPH wreck) to refer to it as the KGH wreck, unless and until someone can provide a precise identity.

Visibility tonight was about 40 feet on the wreck and the water temperature about 64F.

Plans for a General Meeting...

2008-08-26T10:03:00.006-04:00

It is intended to hold a General Meeting for members in Kingston on the evening of Saturday, September 6th. The venue is still to be confirmed, but there will be a barbecue after the brief gathering, which is being arranged to allow members to provide input and feedback to our Board - and get together to share dive stories and ideas about the way ahead. There will be no charge, but those attending are asked to contact me at mike.hill@mac.com to enable planning on food quantities to be completed. Beverages will not be provided. Please bring your own favourite tipple...

Lots of good work going on...

2008-08-26T09:54:00.003-04:00

Work to maintain and improve the moorings that give some protection to our local wrecks is often done without fuss and fanfare. But, it is an important activity and one of the cornerstones of our group's constitution. Divers from Collins Bay, actively supported by Northern Tech Diver and Seadeucer Charters, veteran POW members like Rick Neilson and folk from the Dolphin Scuba Club have all been busily contributing to mooring work recently. Their efforts are gratefully acknowledged. Check out the various websites and blogs to keep up with the work in progress.

China Wreck receives a new mooring...

2008-08-03T08:07:00.004-04:00

Some more great work by our mooring director, Harold Vandenberg and divers out of Collins Bay has resulted in a new block being placed on the wreck of the China. This was not accomplished easily. Three trips were actually required to locate a suitable block, prepare it for movement and then, finally, shift it across the Lake to the required location. The block selected lay close to the Annie Falconer, so movement was quite a business, taking some 90 minutes of slow motoring to complete. The new block and line lie close to the stern of the China, giving divers who visit a very early view of the vessel's large prop. For those who are registered with the site, there are some excellent pictures, once again from Tom Rutledge, on the Ontario DIving Forum website. Some can also be found on Tom's Flickr page, which has a marvelous catalogue of underwater wreck photographs.

Summer Newsletter now available online...

2008-07-16T10:55:00.003-04:00

Fanfares of trumpets and audible sighs of relief from the compilers accompanied the final button press today that sent our Summer Newsletter to the web. Interested parties can download and read it by clicking here and selecting the download option from the first paragraph. The Newsletter has features on the discovery of HMS Ontario, a bio piece on this year's Thibault Award Winner, Barbara Carson and latest mooring news. Hopefully, there will be something for everyone. Now we start the Fall preparation...

Annie Falconer Mooring Improved...

2008-07-14T16:53:00.003-04:00

Harold, our Mooring Director, with Tom Rutledge and Mike Hill, made a working visit this morning to the Annie Falconer to place a more permanent, heavy-duty line and POW Buoy on the wreck. These replace the excellent temporary mooring facilities put in place earlier by George and Sue of Ducks Dive. Everything went smoothly with the exchange, giving the divers time to tour the wreck in a leisurely fashion and to conduct a successful search for an abandoned mooring block, which it's hoped we can free from a very firm position in the silt and move for use at the site of the China. The conditions below the surface were excellent; viz of about 60 feet or more (20m) and a bottom temperature of 55F (13C). Topsides, the Lake was quite lumpy, with a breezy Sou'wester blowing strongly.

18thC British Warship found in Lake Ontario

2008-06-14T06:00:00.004-04:00

Reports appearing in the media suggest that the wreck of the long lost HMS Ontario has been discovered off the eponymous Lake's Southern shore. American researchers,using remotely operated vehicles, found the remains of the 22-gun warship, which sank in October 1780. Lying in about 150 metres of water, she is reported to be in an excellent state of preservation. One of the team that discovered her said, "If it wasn't for the zebra mussels, she looks like she only sunk last week". More information about the discovery can be found here. Video taken by the discoverers is also accessible on You Tube.

Check out this Maritime Cultural Project...

2008-06-08T20:42:00.002-04:00

Members and anyone else interested in the maritime history of Lake Ontario will find a lot to enjoy in the website run by Ben Ford, a Ph.D. candidate at Texas A&M University. His online journal is providing insights into work he's doing to trace the cultural development in and around the Lake.

Preserve Our Wrecks, Kingston

Pumpkin Dive Pics available..

Help the Marine Museum's Pumpkin Dive to succeed!

NAS Video from September..

Help Wanted..

'Students' Wanted - for Nautical Archaeology Training

Moorings Up and Running..

Maritime Museum Resource List..

AGM passes quietly... with cake !

Annual General Meeting drawing near...

New video shows off the Princess Charlotte..

The Charter Season comes to an end for 2010..?

Most Moorings are down...

Cris Kohl article featured in Lakeland Boating Magazine..

U-Boat Tales..

NAS Course a great success.. again.

Wreck Discovery in Lake Michigan..

Sponsored Dive on the Munson

Diver Propelled?

Thousand Islands Museum to present the 'Lost Fleet'

Dive Detectives visit the Hamilton and Scourge...

Mooring Season off to a great start..

Annual Scuba Swap..

Spring Newsletter online...

FREE dive on the Munson - June 6th...

Nautical Archaeology Training Opportunity...

Check out the Marine Museum on Facebook...

President speaks to Canadian Sport Divers..

What does Nautical Archaeology Training look like..?

Annual General Meeting Confirms the Board Line-Up

Come along and find out who's the new Thibault Award Winner..

Tax Receipts are on the way...

New Video Promotes Kingston Diving and our Wrecks...

Annual General Meeting Arrangements...

Fish sighted - Cayman Brac

New wreck site located in Lake Ontario...

POW to report on Guenter's Survey...

POW on Daily Planet...

Shipwreck Hunters chalk up another find..

Nautical Archaeology Training Opportunity...

Alexander Henry turns 50 - and POW is there...

Getting the message across...

SOS Ottawa offers Nautical Archaeology Training

More divers contribute to the survey work on Guenter's

Preserve Our Wrecks makes National TV News...

Summer Newsletter now available online...

Ungentlemanly Conduct...

Just another day on the water...

Video Montage of the NAS Course now available...

Discovery Channel Crew visit Guenter's Site...

Survey Work Continues on Guenter's

Nautical Archaeology Training rounded off...

POW makes the Kingston News...

TV Team visits Guenter's Survey Site...

Fly through HMS Ontario ... CAD images online..

Online Subscription and donations now possible...

Preparations well advanced for our Summer Survey...

Mooring Status Update now available...

Nautical Archaeology Course - Day One

T-Shirts in Stock...

Nautical Archaeology Course set for big attendance...

POW T-Shirts coming soon...

POW's good works gaining publicity...

NAS Course Details now available..

Mystery Wreck talk well attended...

Nautical Archaeology Training Course Available...

Marine Museum Talk - Friday March 27th

Great day at Great Lakes Underwater...

Spring Newsletter online...

Cataraqui Archaeological Research Foundation celebrate new home...

NAS training to be offered by SOS...

AGM Minutes online...

AGM Outcomes...

Wreck Photos sought for AGM...

Guenter's Pictures now online..

AGM Date Confirmed...

War of 1812 Shipwreck Booklet Available...

Guide to the Stacked Hulls online...

Talk on the War of 1812 Wrecks ...

Fall Newsletter out now...