A. E. Vickory

Built in 1861, the Vickory sunk on August 17, 1889. The wooden three masted schooner struck a rock while entering the American Narrows while hauling 61,000 bushels of wheat to the Wisers Distillery at Prescott, Ontario. 

Fearing the narrows at night, Capt. John Massey entered Clayton and located pilot Hery Webber, Jr. to contine the voyage. At 10:15 p.m. the Vickory struck a rock and quickly took on water. Capt. Massey dashed to his cabin, returning with his revolver to "discuss" the accident with pilot Webber, howerver the 1st mate (also the Captain's brother) knocked the pistol overboard. The crew abandoned ship and sought refuge in the nearby lighthouse on Rock Island and at 2 a.m. the creaks and groans of the Vickory being pushed from her perch into deeper waters were heard. She was reported to have only her spars showing as she rested on a sand bottom against the walls of the narrows. 

The bow of the Vickory lies at 60'. It contains many items of interest and photographic opportunities. Many divers enjoy the short drop over the bow to the sand bottom where they can capture the proud bow, with the anchor chain draped over the side, as they move back away from the ship. 

Returning to the deck you can proceed downstream past the holds that beckon, past the mast stump to the stern and on over, dropping along side the rudder at 110'. Normally divers see a school or two of fish in the safety of the Vickory's hull and rudder. The two masts lie nearby and continue off into the channel to 155'. With a quick current, it is not advisable to visit here. 

Returning to the deck and proceeding upstream presents the opportunity to penetrate the holds. You will marvel at the centerboard and the cavernous holds the held her cargo. 

Returning to the bow area allows a pleasant departure reversing up the decent line and returning to the bouy anchor. This offers an excellent opportunity to do a safety stop and closely observe the Zebra mussels.
Rating - Advanced 

The America

Wolfe Islander II

This 80' long car ferry, built in 1946, was intentionally sunk September 21, 1985 as a diving site by area divers. It is becoming one of the region's most popular wrecks. 

Dropping down the line and reaching the bow davit, it is only another dozen feet ot the open door of the wheelhouse. Just abaft of the wheelhouse is a set of steel stairs that lead to benches lining the curved bulkhead and large square windows provide exit points with large doorways also convenient. The depth is 60' and the air pocket above divers' heads is exhaust from previous diver visits and is not for breathing. 

Exiting the salon on the port side, divers follow the stairs to the main deck where vehicles were parked and recently a motorcycle was placed to demonstrate past cargo. 

On the starboard side divers encounter a stainless steel tube which is a "time capsule" and contains memorabilia from 1985 for the people of 2035. 

A nearby doorway leads into the depths of the engine room and only the diver with experience, skills and training should proceed here. Through catwalks and piping one may proceed to the engine mounts at 75' depth and you encounter the "elevator" shaft leading to the top deck. NEar the port rail you will find a brass rimmed glass with logos and names of various support organizations. Just a few kicks away you uncover the ships name and registry port. 

Vacating and moving towards the bow you will visit the windlass and anchor winch with a hatch leading to the forpeak locker.
Rating - Advance Open Water  

The Keystorm 

The Keystorm is the region's premier wreck. This 256' x 43', 2300 ton steamer was built in Wellsand, England. 

Carrying 2230 tons of bituminous coal from Genesee Dock at Charlotte, NY and under the command of Capt. L Daigualt, she was 45 minutes past Alexandria Bay in dense fog on October 12, 1912 when she crossed over Outer Scow Island Shoal and in minutes, was on bottom without fatalities. 

Keystorm now lays on her starboard side, bow in 20' and stern in 115' and was declared unsalvageable. Double wrappings of 4" cable at 20' intervals remain as evidence of salvage attempts. 

Keystorm was rediscovered by accident as two Syracuse divers diving the "Oakbay." They had been given directions to the wreck but the directions were about 100 yds. off and on the opposite side of the shoal. having given up their search they had returned to spear-fish a school of Walleyes noted on their previous wreck search when they chanced upon this now well-visited wreck. 

Their first report stated she was in good shape, though the wooden cabinets had pulled loose from the bulkheads and were piled up on the opposite side. The wooden roof of the wheel house was still intact and they removed three lights from the wheel house, though only one had an intact globe. The wheel required 5 hours to remove it and over a total of 25 hours that weekend, they included a 600 lb. anchor, 100' chain, bell, telegraph and more lamps into their haul. 

Many divers quickly climatize at the bow area and follow the port (shallowest) side to the stern and drop over for a look at the prop at 115' and then return to the deck and weave their way back to the bow. If feeling comfortable, it is recommended that you stop midship and push away from the deck about 30' - 50' and visually encompass the wreck stem to stern. With the exhaust of other divers, it is quite a sight viewing that much wreck, with clear water and exhaust bubbles climbing to the surface, just like in the tropics.
Rating - Advance Open Water  
 

Lillie Parsons 

The "Parsons" is one of Ontario's most famous wrecks. A 2 masted "fore & aft" centerboard schooner being used to transport coal, was sailing from Black Rock, NY with 500 tons of coal when on August 5, 1877 a sudden squall shifted her cargo and pushed her against the island causing her to take on water, capsize and sink.

Accessing the site from the corner of Sparrow Island one can follow the anchor chaing to the bow or swim into the current and down the island's coutour to the rudder The large rudder sits upstream with a broad square stern resting on the rock ledges that support her.

Visiting divers are encouraged to swim up the bow to the keel. "Walking the keel," upstream against the current, has become a popular challange of this wreck.

This wreck lies upside down, pushed against the island with the current and rock bottom grasping her. With the rudder upstream in about 20' and the bow downstream in approximately 70' she provides an excellent visit for divers, though the current is quick.
Rating - Open Water to Advance Open Water  
 

The Muscallonge

"Muskie" has become a favorite regional site. This net 245 ton vessel suffered a fire before sinking to her resting spot 1.5 mile downstream from Blockhouse Island on Friday, August 15, 1936.

The Muscallonge was noted as the largest tug on the Lakes and St. Lawrence River in her day. The Muscallonge departed Montreal destined for Port Credit, towing the small tug Ajax and the barge Brice Hudson loaded with crude oil. The fire is believed to have started in the boiler compartment and spread rapidly. The wreck sits in 98' on a firm bottom.

The "Muskie" is a boat dive, resting about 300 feet from shore in a quick current. Although the evidence of the fire that claimds her is clear, her boiler and engine remain impressive and her starboard side remains in tact.
Rating Advance Open Water