The Marquette is a 42-metre (139 ft) three-masted bark, built in 1856, that foundered in November 1867 with a load of corn and no lives lost. It lies off the northeast corner of Hope Island in 9–16 m (29–54 ft) of water, the deepest of the area's three main wrecks, with its anchors, windlass and centreboard box still in place.
Also known as The Marquette.
Where it is and how deep
44.9180° N, 80.1625° WApproximate position — the dashed circle shows where the site lies; your operator's briefing has the mooring.
The dive
The Marquette lies off the northeast corner of Hope Island, in 9–16 m (29–54 ft) of water, with much of the wreck sitting around 12 m (40 ft). The hull of the 42-metre (139 ft) sailing ship is small next to the steel wrecks nearby, but its double-walled hull is mostly intact, although no decking remains.
The two anchors are the first things to look for: both still have their chains attached to the windlass, though the starboard anchor is mostly buried with just a fluke showing. Inside the silt-filled hull, the centreboard box and a winch survive, and part of the rudder remains from the ship that foundered in November 1867 with a load of corn.
The wreck
- Vessel
- Marquette
- Type
- Three-masted bark
- Length
- 42 m (138 ft)
- Built
- 1856
- Sunk
- 1867
- Cause
- Foundered in November 1867 with a load of corn; no lives were lost
- Lies
- Off the northeast corner of Hope Island in 9–16 m (29–54 ft)
The Marquette was a small three-masted bark, 42 m (139 ft) long, built in 1856. It foundered in November 1867 while carrying a load of corn, and no lives were lost. The wreck now lies in 9–16 m (29–54 ft) of water off the northeast corner of Hope Island, its two anchors still chained to the windlass.
Marine life and season
The sources we used don't single out particular species here.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Off-season | Off-season | Off-season | Off-season | Off-season | Fair | Good | Good | Good | Good | Off-season | Off-season |
Season follows Penetanguishene & Southern Georgian Bay: Dated charters run from July to October and the water is warmest in August; the bay is near freezing in late winter.
Dive videos
The Marquette shipwreck · Ontario Scuba on YouTube
Questions divers ask
How deep is the Marquette wreck?+
The Marquette lies in 9–16 m (29–54 ft) of water off the northeast corner of Hope Island, with much of the wreck around 12 m (40 ft).
What is left to see on the Marquette?+
Two anchors with chains still attached to the windlass, and the centreboard box and a winch inside the hull.
Sources
- Georgian Explorer | The Dive Academy — The Dive Academy
- Diving Penetanguishene, Ontario — Diver Trek
- Georgian Explorer 2021 - Oct — CanSAC
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