Strong winds in the area led to the exposure of a rarely-seen shipwreck along the Lake Erie shoreline this week. Matt Vermette, the owner of The Dive Shop in Kingsville, Ontario, made the discovery while out for a walk on Wednesday evening. Initially mistaking it for an old dock, Vermette realized it was a shipwreck as he got closer.
The shipwreck, estimated to be approximately 22 meters long and located about 150 meters from the shore, is identified as a schooner due to its distinctive wreck structure. Vermette, an experienced scuba diver, mentioned that despite the numerous shipwrecks in Lake Erie, this particular one was new to him. He estimated that there are hundreds of shipwrecks in the area, with only around 20 to 30 being commonly known.
Historians consulted by Vermette believe that the shipwreck could be either The Demming or the Overton, both of which were documented in local newspapers before 1900. Robert Lynch, a local historian, explained that the Kingsville area’s hazardous waters have been a contributing factor to numerous shipwrecks in the region.
Vermette shared photos and videos of the shipwreck on Facebook, generating excitement and curiosity among viewers. Residents, like Jennifer Wright, went out in search of the wreck after seeing the posts on social media. However, the water had covered the wreck again by Thursday morning, emphasizing the transient nature of its visibility.
Due to poor visibility caused by mud in the area, Vermette highlighted that the shipwreck is not easily visible while diving. He emphasized that the opportunity to explore and capture images of the uncovered wreck above water was unique and special, given the limited visibility underwater.