Posted by David Gilchrist on April 14, 19100 at 08:26:44:
Work is scheduled to commence on documenting a new site off Port Dalhousie in Lake Ontario. Located by Jim Garrington of Shark Marine in St. Catharines , the wreck is of an early two -masted sailing vessel.
The project is being funded by Shark Marine, the City of St. Catharines and the Millennium Fund. Although the identity of the wreck remains un-established, one vessel that is known to have gone down in the general area is that of the 'Henry Clay' which was lost on her maiden voyage in 1831.
At the recent Shipwrecks 2000 program in Welland, the project was officially announced. It is hoped that , with the co-operation of local dive stores, charter operators and divers, that a plan for opening the site to divers can be established for the 2001 dive season. The wreck itself, although intact, appears to be quite fragile and on a bottom that is difficult to anchor on. A mooring system will need to be established and a low-impact diving education program to prepare divers to properly dive the site will be of great benefit.
This is an opportunity for the recreational dive commuinty to demonstrate an ability to protect marine heritage sites and avoid restrictive legislation.