Resources > Dive Locations > Shore Dives > Connestoga

The Connestoga (1878 - 1922)

KEY STATS:
Steam Freighter
Built 1878 Sunk 1922
Length 250 ft (77m)
Depths to 30 ft (9m)
Location: St. Lawrence River, Cardinal, Ontario, Canada

Launched in July 1878 by Thomas Quayle and Sons, the Connestoga was a steam freighter carrying passengers and freight. She sank after catching fire while heading downriver with 30,000 bushels of wheat on May 22, 1922. Her dimensions are 250' (77m) length, 36' (11m) beam, by 16' (5m) draft.

The Connestoga lies in the St. Lawrence River, approximately 50 ft (15m) offshore, with her bow pointing upstream. The bow lies in 20-25 ft (6-7.5) of water but inside the hull you'll be at 10-15 ft (3-4.5m). This allows a long, relaxing dive without worrying about depth/time limitations. Enter the water upstream from the stack (100 - 150 ft [33-48m]) as the current sometimes kicks. The first thing you should encounter is the bow. After exploring the bow area, explore the windlass and huge anchor chain that lies curled here. Once inside the hull you'll be out of the current and can drift effortlessly toward the stern. Explore the various items strewn about inside the hull including the huge boilers and stack. Over the stern you'll find a beautiful prop with one blade broken off. The rudder lies flat on the sand just off the stern. Lots of bottom time can be made with a single dive.

DIRECTIONS:
When traveling from Brockville, take Hwy 2 east (1000 Island Parkway) to Cardinal. Turn right at Road #22 and enter the fair grounds. Turn right and head down a gravel path past the Legion and picnic grounds. The gravel path becomes a narrow, bumpy dirt path that heads out on a little causeway barely wider than the path. Driving carefully down the path until you get to a small parking area, you should be able to see the stack of the wreck. Walking the last bit first is a good idea.




Boiler Sticking out of the water


Site Map



Shore Dive Locations:

Brewers Mills
Brockville Waterfront
Conestoga
Cora W Post
Kinghorn
Ivy Lea Park
The Marine Museum
Pysche and Regent
Nicholson's Point
Rockport Wall
Rothesay
Stacked Hulls
HMS St. Lawrence



NOTE:
A log sheet is available for this dive location in PDF format, click here to download.


Get Acrobat Reader



Want to see a dive location in person? We'll be happy to take you there, just visit our charters page (click here) and book an adventure!


© 2007 Northern Tech Diver, Corp.