Lillie Parsons
From DiveSpot
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[edit] Location
In the Saint Lawrence River, on the north side of the upstream end of Sparrow Island, close to Brockville, Ontario
[edit] Conditions
Depth: 40' at the bow, 70' at the stern
Visibility: 5'-50'
Current: 2 knots
Water temperature: From 1C (Feb.) to 25C (July)
[edit] Description
This 131-foot nineteenth-century centreboard schooner carried coal, lumber, wheat, barley, iron and salt. She was launched on September 14, 1868 in Tonawanda, New York and sank in her current location after hitting a rock during a squall on August 5, 1877.
The 'Lillie' lies upside down facing downstream, with her bow at a depth of 70' and her stern at a depth of 40'. A permanent chain is installed on her port (island) side to make it easier to get upstream without touching the wreck. A standard dive involves pulling hand-over-hand upstream on the chain, finning to the starboard side and drifting in the fast current down the side of the wreck to swoop back for cover behind the bow. Repeat as often as desired. Exit using one of the methods described below.
It is possible to penetrate this wreck by entering at the bow. The space under the wreck is split into two by a wall that runs from the bow all the way to the stern. One can swim inside all the way to stern, around the wall, and return to the bow.
This wreck is sometimes referred to as the Lilie, the Lillie, the Lily, the Lilly, the Parson, the Parsons, or any combination of these.
[edit] Access
The site is accessible by boat. (Although the large anchor chain from Sparrow Island serves as an access route, the island itself is closed to divers.) Charters leave from Saint Lawrence Park.
From shore, enter at the anchor on the west (upstream) end of Sparrow Island and follow the chain down to the wreck.
Update: As of Spring 2007, the city of Brockville has decided to prevent divers from walking on Sparrow Island, eliminating the shore dive option (for now).
From a boat, enter upstream, swim to the buoy and descend. Drifting at a depth of 40' will lead you to the wreck.
There are two ways to exit this dive:
- Drift at a depth of at most 40' for approximately 3-5 minutes until coming across a rope leading up the wall. Follow this rope up to the east end of Sparrow Island and climb up the rocks or onto one of the boats at the dock. (This assumes that the rope has already been put in place for the season - check with your divemaster and/or boat captain.)
- To do a 'long drift' (with support from a boat), simply drift for as long as you like at a depth of 60' until you feel like ascending. This will have you surfacing on one of the neighbouring islands. Be sure to do most of the drift at a depth of 60' or more, otherwise you may drift between Sparrow Island and the next island, making a boat pickup more difficult.
[edit] Hazards
This wreck lies right on the edge of the shipping channel and large freighters pass very close. Always stay close to the wall to avoid drifting into the channel.
The swift current can easily blow you away even before getting to the wreck.
The wreck lies on the edge of a very deep wall. When drifting off the wreck watch your depth closely.
Penetrating of the wreck should only be attempted by those with the necessary training, equipment, and experience. At the deepest point of penetration the diver is approximately 120' from the nearest exit and there is very little (if any) ambient light.
