J. B. King
From DiveSpot
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[edit] Location
GPS?
In the Saint Lawrence River, near Brockville, Ontario. Just north of Cockburn Island in the Thousand Islands, on the edge of the downstream lane of the shipping channel.
[edit] Conditions
Current: Strong
Depth: 90'-155'
Visibility: 15'-50'
Water temperature: From 1C (Feb.) to 25C (July)
[edit] Description
32 lives were lost when this 140' wooden drill barge, which was engaged in drilling and blasting operations, was struck by lightning and exploded on June 26, 1930.
There are three big chunks of the wreck. There is scattered debris everywhere (30 feet to 155 feet).
The first big chunk is the farthest upstream. It starts between 90 to 100 feet and goes all the way to 155 feet. This piece is part of the hull. Interesting features include steam machinery, an upside down motor boat (@140 feet). There is a hole under the wreckage at the bottom of this piece where you can get 158 feet.
If you head out into the channel from the bottom of this first chunk you will find a spectacular sheer wall going straight up. It rises about 25 to 30 feet.
The second big chunk lies at approximately 120 feet and is the remains of the big crane. The first and second chunks are usually connected by a line at approximately 110 feet. The second chunk has a long spar with a pulley at the end pointing downstream. From this point it is a short drift to the third chunk.
The third chunk is also aproximately 120 feet deep. Sometimes there is a line between 2nd and 3rd.
There is usually a back eddy along the walls between the first and second chunks at 130 feet. You can use this to your advantage to get from 2nd to first.
There is a SOS plaque in 35feet of water along the wall in the bay.
This site is always dark. Take the best light you have. Current is strong and variable. Some days its really a hard working dive and others it is not so bad. For comparative purposes, the current is usually noticeably stronger than the Daryaw. Use the wreckage and the large boulders to shelter from the current. Co2 buildup and associated headaches are possibilities on this site.
One way to do this dive is to start in the small shallow bay by the on land memorial marker. Descend and cross the 30 foot plateau and go straight down the wall. Sometimes there is a line but don't count on it. This will place you within visual range of the first chunk at 100 feet. Explore the first chunk and then drift back to the second and third and check them out. Then go back to the second and make your way to the top of it (approx 100 feet). Finally, ascend hiding behind rocks all the way. The plateau is reached at about 35 feet. Cross it to reach the last wall. There are plenty of sheltered spots in here to off gas. With this plan, expect bottom times in the 25 minute range with run times in the 60 to 75 minute range.
[edit] Access
This is a boat dive, with charters leaving from Saint Lawrence Park.
[edit] Hazards
Depth, current, and the nearby shipping channel make this an advanced dive.
[edit] Recent Conditions
| Date | Temperature | Visibility |
|---|---|---|
| YYYY-MM-DD | XX° | XX' |
[edit] Links, References, and Other Sources
- Diving the J.B. King
- H20 Secrets (producing a documentary about the JB King)
