Underwater Archaeology in the Rideau Canal

[Tom R]

For those in the Kingston area next week,

Jonathan Moore is giving a talk to the Kingston Historical Society on Wed., March 17th, at 7:30 p.m. The topic is "Underwater Archaeology in the Rideau Canal." He has been working with Parks Canada doing side-scan for several seasons. It should be interesting.

 

[artw]

I'll be there. I'd like to learn more about side scan sonar.

 

[nalfein]

Hi Upper Canadians,

Maybe a silly question, but people don't actually set fin in the canal do they? I realize you mentioned side scan, but does anybody dive in there? I'm thinking it would be pretty heinous, not to mention horrible vis. Not to cast stones or anything, I've been in Halifax Harbour..... so no stranger to nasty water myself... :54:

just curious.... thanks..

chris

 

[FreeFloat]

Actually, I disagree. There's lots of very interesting things to see. The water when last i dived it was admittedly a little tea-colored, but viz was around 20-25'. My buddy and I had a great dive and reported it in Brewers Mills Locks thread.

 

[nalfein]

ok.... I must be mistaken... I was thinking of the Canal in Ottawa..... longest ice rink in the world type of deal...

 

[FreeFloat]

Actually, the Rideau Canal waterway is one and the same with the "longest skating rink in the world" that you thought of - see The Rideau Canal.

Although I've only dived the one lock area so far, Upper Brewers Mills Lock (others from this board have dived Lower Brewers Mills Lock as well, I believe, as Kingston Mills Locks), I would suspect that each lock has its own set of attractions as well as "issues". For the most part none of the locks are diveable except in the non-boating season, and they tend to be policed against the removal of artifacts as well.

 

[artw]

I wouldn't dive in the Rideau Canal (the skateway during the winter) if you paid me. it's like 7 feet deep. it has weeds growing up to the surface. it is full of boats. it's full of garbage. it smells. yuck.
you might even need to pay me to dive in the Ottawa river...

 

[DS1]

Actually there is a wreck in the Ottawa river by the Aviation museum in Ottawa you can see the smoke stack coming out of the water i tried diving it once and couldnt see it even with my mask on the wreck but im sure some days you can get a bit of viz... I found the story and pictures of the ship above water but i can seem to find it anymore

All i can find is the type of wreck and its supposed to be a cement Wharve ??

 

[FreeFloat]

For those in the Kingston area next week,

Jonathan Moore is giving a talk to the Kingston Historical Society on Wed., March 17th, at 7:30 p.m. The topic is "Underwater Archaeology in the Rideau Canal." He has been working with Parks Canada doing side-scan for several seasons. It should be interesting.

Where exactly is the Kingston Historical Society located?

 

[Tom R]

Kingston Public Library, Main Branch, in the Wilson Room upstairs