Kinghorn Quest...

It's becoming a weekend staple, but there's no harm in that, while the weather cooperates. This morning, Todd, Dianne, Kevin, Jim, Adam, Vinnie and I took a dip in the water again at Rockport, visiting the Kinghorn from shore. The viz was OK - at about 25'. Water temperatures hover at about the same as the Lake - 45℉ (7℃). There was little to see in the way of wildlife. The more cunning divers exited by using a ladder on the back of a berthed diveboat. Others (and yes, I was one) took the hard way out at the corner of the dock. "Time spent in reconnaissance and all that . . . "

Stacked Hulls Metered and Measured...

Kevin and I had the opportunity, at dusk today, to get out and complete the staking of the line to the Stacked Hulls. The stakes start from the edge of the shelf and are carefully placed at 100' (30m) intervals. There are 7 of them, which given that they start at 380' (116m) - and the last stake runs 80' to the wreck itself, makes the total distance 1260' (384m). For safety's sake, the halfway stake is marked by a white, plastic jug. If you get to this and you're not sure about your air for the rest of the dive, it's time to turn around.

It's always interesting to enter the water as a storm is growing. Today, the waves were growing as the wind got up - and when we emerged from the water there was a snowy squall sweeping across the grounds of the Providence Care Facility. Ah, the deep joy of Winter diving. Water temperature - 42℉ (6℃). Visibility - despite the turbulent inshore waters - about 50'. More than sufficient to see the large Bass that were haunting the wreck in the half dark...

Fresh Fields...

Stimulated by a desire to do something new, Jim and I ventured out to Fairfield Park on Route 33 today to see what sort of profile the bottom presented. As it happens, this site, which is popular with visitors from Toronto and elsewhere, is not particularly appealing, but entry is easy - and the parking is on a hard, tarmac surface right beside the Lake. After the anticipated short, shoreside ledge, the bottom drops away gently in mud to a maximum depth of just under 100 feet. We registered 94' today. The good news is that the water temperature is stuck reasonably tolerably at 50℉ (10℃) - all the way down.

Stacked Hulls ...

As suggested yesterday, the chance was taken today, in ideal weather conditions, to make an expedition to the Stacked Hulls. It's been a week or two since the line was checked, so there was no knowing what to expect. In fact, the line was easy to pick up and ran uninterrupted out to the wrecks, where the viz was in excess of 40 feet. There was at least one very large shoal of Perch on the wrecks and several large and lazy Bass. At the shore end, it's remarkable how quickly the weed beds in the shallows are dying back and thinning out. The plants are already mainly brown and lifeless. Anyone who wants to make us of this new line, which takes several minutes off the old swim to the Hulls, should e-mail me for info on picking it up. Alternatively, if you take the old line out of Portsmouth to the right-angled bend in it and 'jump off' there swimming 220° you'll pick up the new line at about the half way point. Water temperature today out on the Hulls (where a small thermocline could be felt at about 50 feet) 57℉ (14℃).

Diving the discards...

Today's dive was a return to the Gan River for a spot of gentle exploration. Entry was once again from the Canoe Club's docks. This time though, in the spirit of adventure, a right turn was taken to investigate the area to the North. It was immediately interesting to note that there are many rock ledges and outcrops around - all evidently granite. The waterway narrows towards the bridge on Machar Drive. As you would expect, the river bottom is littered with the debris of human civilization. We counted at least 4 bicycles, two parking meters (one complete with mounting post), dozens of bottles of all ages, two traffic cones and various other items. Add to that some very large, old, dark-coloured Bass and it was an entertaining experience. Perhaps the highlight for me was the moment when my buddy, preoccupied with some task or other, looked up to find a big old Bass just inches from her mask, staring intently at her. I am now quite clear about a diver's ability to recoil physically from something under water. The final section of the dive followed the gentle current downstream to the deepest section - about 39 feet with your wrist buried... Here there was less to see, but the enjoyment was just as great. Visibility in the 30 foot range was good - and the temperature showed a cooler than expected 63℉ (17℃).

Cory completes certification in style...

Completing the course that began three weeks ago, Cory enjoyed near perfect conditions for his last two open water dives. He made it out to the KGH wreck in good form and then moved down to the Psych Hospital for a shallower dive to round off his training. It's been great to work with him and he's going to be a great addition to the Club. He's keen to get more dives in this season, so keep him in mind when you're planning outings, please.

New shore dive for your delight...

Following up on an exploratory dive last week, local divers tonight placed a line from shore near Kingston General Hospital to a wreck that lies in 60 feet of water, just 20 minutes gentle swim away. The line starts around the 20 foot depth contour and is most easily located by entering the water somewhere near the middle of the car park close to Murney Tower and swimming eastwards along the 20 foot contour until you pick it up. It's bright yellow and leads almost directly south to the bow of the wreck.

The wreck is in very good condition; one of the more intact examples of what is certainly a sailing vessel and probably associated with use on the canal systems. It's almost a hundred feet long and about 24 feet wide. Care should be taken by visiting divers to avoid disturbing and damaging many upright features that have stood the test of time.

The wreck is well known already; it features on local charts, but it has not previously been of great interest, since it lies in the path of frequent boat traffic and didn't have any line to it from shore. For ease of reference, it may be useful (borrowing the example of the KPH wreck) to refer to it as the KGH wreck, unless and until someone can provide a precise identity.

Visibility tonight was about 40 feet on the wreck and the water temperature about 64F.

Short sighted...?

After a week away on the water (sailing), last night was a first chance to get wet again. The site selected - as a proof of concept - was the wreck by the PUC Dock - from shore. Parking on Collingwood St (just beside Queen's Residences) it's a short walk across the green space to the shingle beach entry. The heading for the corner of the Dock is then 210° Mag. Be prepared for a shallow spell in thick weed for the first few minutes. Eventually, the bottom begins to fall away and at about 15 feet the dock side looms out of the murky water. A left turn then takes you straight to the wreck in about 22 feet of depth. Last night's viz was atrocious by our standards - something like 15 feet. Nevertheless, after a good mooch around the wreck, we indulged in a little light exploration of the slightly deeper water to the South, returning to the beach at around the one hour mark. The only thing seen of note was a huge Sheepshead, which kept appearing ghostlike from the gloom. Of course, in this location, it's always possible too to add to the Club's holding of golf balls. For the record - water temperature - 70°F (21°C).