Posted with permission from the Hamilton Spectator
_____________________________________________
May 10, 2008
John Burman
The Hamilton Spectator
(May 10, 2008)
One of Canada's newest warships is going to help scientists and marine archeologists conduct the most detailed survey so far on two War of 1812 ships sunk in Lake Ontario.
HMCS Kingston, a 934-ton Kingston class maritime coastal defence vessel, will slip out of Hamilton tomorrow night to support a five-day expedition to map and survey, using remote vehicles, the wrecks of the Hamilton and the Scourge, which sank in a storm in August 1913.
The two ships, both merchantmen commandeered by the American navy, are believed to have participated in the bombardment of York (Toronto) prior to the storm.
The survey expedition headed by the City of Hamilton, which owns the ships, features participation of the Canadian Forces, Parks Canada, the coast guard as well as private archeologists and provincial, municipal and American government officials.
If all goes well and there is time, Ian Kerr-Wilson, Hamilton's manager of museums and heritage, said the scientists may be able to lower a remote camera into the hold of one of the vessels for the first time.
"I'd love to if it's possible," said Kerr-Wilson, adding technological advancements in digital mapping mean this survey will provide pinpoint co-ordinates to monitor changes in the wrecks.
The two ships were located by St. Catharines dentist Dr. Dan Nelson in 1973. There are no plans at the moment to raise the vessels.
Kerr-Wilson said the survey trip has been planned for nearly 10 years because it is difficult to get all the agencies and expertise available at the same time.
"We are so fortunate the Kingston is available and it's a great platform for this work," he said.
The Kingston, crewed mainly by reservists, is in Hamilton on a Great Lakes training cruise. The survey will help the city plan long-term presentation and on-site preservation of the vessels, Kerr-Wilson said.
"This is a very important site to both Canada and the United States," he said.
"This trip is vital to our obligation of stewardship of those ships."
For more information on the Hamilton and Scourge and their place in history, go to www.hamilton-scourge.hamilton.ca
jburman@thespec.com
905-526-2469
With files from Spectator wire services
_____________________________________________
May 10, 2008
John Burman
The Hamilton Spectator
(May 10, 2008)
One of Canada's newest warships is going to help scientists and marine archeologists conduct the most detailed survey so far on two War of 1812 ships sunk in Lake Ontario.
HMCS Kingston, a 934-ton Kingston class maritime coastal defence vessel, will slip out of Hamilton tomorrow night to support a five-day expedition to map and survey, using remote vehicles, the wrecks of the Hamilton and the Scourge, which sank in a storm in August 1913.
The two ships, both merchantmen commandeered by the American navy, are believed to have participated in the bombardment of York (Toronto) prior to the storm.
The survey expedition headed by the City of Hamilton, which owns the ships, features participation of the Canadian Forces, Parks Canada, the coast guard as well as private archeologists and provincial, municipal and American government officials.
If all goes well and there is time, Ian Kerr-Wilson, Hamilton's manager of museums and heritage, said the scientists may be able to lower a remote camera into the hold of one of the vessels for the first time.
"I'd love to if it's possible," said Kerr-Wilson, adding technological advancements in digital mapping mean this survey will provide pinpoint co-ordinates to monitor changes in the wrecks.
The two ships were located by St. Catharines dentist Dr. Dan Nelson in 1973. There are no plans at the moment to raise the vessels.
Kerr-Wilson said the survey trip has been planned for nearly 10 years because it is difficult to get all the agencies and expertise available at the same time.
"We are so fortunate the Kingston is available and it's a great platform for this work," he said.
The Kingston, crewed mainly by reservists, is in Hamilton on a Great Lakes training cruise. The survey will help the city plan long-term presentation and on-site preservation of the vessels, Kerr-Wilson said.
"This is a very important site to both Canada and the United States," he said.
"This trip is vital to our obligation of stewardship of those ships."
For more information on the Hamilton and Scourge and their place in history, go to www.hamilton-scourge.hamilton.ca
jburman@thespec.com
905-526-2469
With files from Spectator wire services