Diving on the Mayflower

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Nopski - 26 Jul 2004 15:41 GMT

Am looking to hear from anyone who has dove on the Mayflower - stern
paddlewheeler that sank Nov. 1912 in Kamaniskeg Lake near Barry's Bay,
Ontario. Would like GPS coordinates and most recent condition of the
wreck. If you can help or know someone who could assist me please
contact me at email addy below.

Thanks & Safe Diving

Dave
email: noppedj@webhart.net

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Mike from Ottawa - 29 Jul 2004 12:13 GMT

>Am looking to hear from anyone who has dove on the Mayflower - stern
>paddlewheeler that sank Nov. 1912 in Kamaniskeg Lake near Barry's Bay,
[quoted text clipped - 6 lines]
>Dave
>email: noppedj@webhart.net

I dived it a few years ago. She's in about 20' of water. There's
usually a buoy or Javex bottle tied to her, but I didn't see one this
year. The bottom is sandy, but the boat was stripped long ago. The
wood is still in solid condition.

My parents have a book on it, so I'll ask them if it gives GPS
coordinates. There's a public boat launch at Combermere.

The story appeared in Ripley's Believe It or Not years ago. She sank
in a November storm while carrying 12 people and a coffin. 3 survived
by hanging on to the coffin, but the other 9 died.

---
Mike from Ottawa

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Mike from Ottawa - 01 Aug 2004 19:09 GMT

>>Am looking to hear from anyone who has dove on the Mayflower - stern
>>paddlewheeler that sank Nov. 1912 in Kamaniskeg Lake near Barry's Bay,
[quoted text clipped - 21 lines]
>---
>Mike from Ottawa

I couldn't get the info from the book at my parents'. "Dive Ontario!"
gives the location as a compass bearing of 40 degrees magnetic to the
southern end of Mayflower Island and a bearing of 135 degrees mangetic
to Sand Beach.

Watch out for large rocks around the islands, and watch out for boat
traffic on the lake. I found her once by using a fish finder sonar,
since the sandy bottom is pretty flat.

There's not a lot to see except for some nice smallmouth, but it's the
story that's always fascinated me. My son is also itching to dive on
it sometime.

---
Mike from Ottawa

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Nopski - 04 Aug 2004 16:13 GMT

thanks for you efforts ..but I've got a boat captain who'll take me & dive
team right to the wreck. Am documenting wreck for tv program and newspaper
article. Have also interviewed family members of pilot, owner etc and a few
divers who dove the wreck in mid 1960s. Am very much looking forward to
finally seeing her.

Dave

> >>Am looking to hear from anyone who has dove on the Mayflower - stern
> >>paddlewheeler that sank Nov. 1912 in Kamaniskeg Lake near Barry's Bay,
[quoted text clipped - 37 lines]
> ---
> Mike from Ottawa

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Mike from Ottawa - 04 Aug 2004 17:12 GMT

>thanks for you efforts ..but I've got a boat captain who'll take me & dive
>team right to the wreck. Am documenting wreck for tv program and newspaper
[quoted text clipped - 3 lines]
>
>Dave

<snip>

I hope you enjoy it. The wreck is in very good condition, although
it's not a terribly exciting dive, the history is great.

Please let me know if you see the buoy tied up there. I'd like to
take my son to it before the summer's over, and I don't have a GPS
unit.

Which TV program & newspaper?

---
Mike from Ottawa

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Nopski - 04 Aug 2004 23:56 GMT

been told that there was a marker buoy attached as of last weekend. If there
isn't when we go out ...will be placing marker.

Stay tuned ...will provide full details of dive in a few weeks

> >thanks for you efforts ..but I've got a boat captain who'll take me & dive
> >team right to the wreck. Am documenting wreck for tv program and newspaper
[quoted text clipped - 16 lines]
> ---
> Mike from Ottawa

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