Answers » Categories » Shipwrecks

Why are most shipwrecks on Lake Ontario on the east side?

Why are the most shipwrecks on Lake Ontario on the east side of the lake? Is the water rougher on that side of the lake or is there some other reason for it.


1
1 Report
MORE: shipwreck, lake ontario

1 Answer
0 
Good Question. Actually 35% of the shipwrecks in Lake Ontario are located in depths over 300 feet and are essentially in the middle of the lake. Approximately 30% of Lake Ontario shipwrecks are located in the northeastern part of the lake. I expect that this is because much of the shipping activity was going to or centered around the Kingston area or was headed up the St Lawrence River.
Jan 14th, 2011 at 4:39 PM
Reply
There's a reasonable belief around Kingston that the reason lies in the fact that prevailing winds are from the SW. Given that this drives substantial seas towards the eastern end of the Lake, and that there are many, treacherous shoals in the area, it's likely why most wrecks occur here. However, since the age of steam, when vessels can run more easily from bad weather, and after charts and navigation aids improved, the number of wrecks has been reduced considerably. –  POWKingston  Sep 19th, 2013 at 5:40 PM

Want to post an answer?

Join now for free to answer this question.
Already have an account? Login to answer.

Ask your own question

Tagged
shipwreck (6)
lake ontario (3)

Ask a Question

Categories
Shipwrecks of Lake Ontario - A Journey of Discovery Book

The National Museum of the Great Lakes is excited to announce the release of a new book titled Shipwrecks of Lake Ontario: A Journey of Discovery. This book contains stories of long lost shipwrecks and the journeys of the underwater explorers who found them, written by Jim Kennard with paintings by Roland Stevens and underwater imagery by Roger Pawlowski.

Buy Now!



Follow Us