Shipwreck Report: Calumet Island Lifeboat

Calumet Island Lifeboat by Shot Line Diving on Sketchfab

Identification & Site Information

  • Type: Metal Lifeboat (Liberty Ship era)
  • Location: North side of Calumet Island, St. Lawrence River
  • Coordinates: Approx. 44°15.119’N, 76°5.713’W
  • Depth: 42 feet (14 meters)
  • Dimensions:
  • Length: 20 feet (7 meters)
  • Beam: 8 feet (2.4 meters)
  • Material: Steel
  • Condition: Rusted, coated with Zebra Mussels, and visibly riddled with bullet holes.

History

The metal lifeboat now resting on the north side of Calumet Island was once part of a Liberty ship, constructed during World War II. Liberty ships, built in vast numbers for wartime cargo transportation, were equipped with these robust, steel lifeboats designed to endure harsh conditions and provide reliable emergency escape.

However, the lifeboat did not sink in wartime action or due to any maritime accident. Its demise was a result of local ingenuity and youthful mischief. According to accounts from Jay Paraino, a longtime local resident, the lifeboat’s story ties directly to the Patch family, owners of Calumet Island during the mid-20th century.

The Sinking Story:

Dr. Patch’s eldest son decided to use the lifeboat as an oversized target for rifle practice. He loaded it with trash, rowed it out to deeper water, anchored it, and with his siblings cheering on, took aim. The lifeboat, subjected to repeated rifle fire, eventually sank beneath the surface, becoming both a dumping ground and a curious relic for future divers.

Significance

While scuttling small boats was not uncommon on the St. Lawrence River, this particular lifeboat stands out for its unusual and deliberate sinking. It is a relic of Liberty ship history, tied to wartime shipbuilding, and a testament to how these vessels and their components found unexpected second lives after the war. The lifeboat’s final chapter adds a whimsical layer to the maritime stories of the St. Lawrence River.

Current Condition & Dive Details

•Condition:

The lifeboat lies upright on the riverbed, rusting steadily. Over decades, it has become encrusted with Zebra Mussels, which obscure much of the bullet damage that once told its story so clearly. The shape and structure remain intact, allowing divers to explore its form.

•Accessibility:

At 42 feet (14 meters), the site is easily accessible for recreational divers. The calm waters of the St. Lawrence River provide ideal conditions, with Visibility often sufficient for observing the lifeboat in detail.

•Dive Features:

Divers can see:

•The lifeboat’s robust steel construction, a hallmark of Liberty ship lifeboats.

•The remnants of bullet holes, visible through mussel-encrusted layers.

•Interior areas littered with remnants of trash left from the sinking.

Cultural Impact

The story of the lifeboat is a piece of local lore, capturing the Patch family’s playful yet destructive ingenuity. It reflects a time when island living fostered creativity, resourcefulness, and sometimes mischief. The lifeboat, now an underwater artifact, is a tangible reminder of post-war repurposing and the lives that interacted with these vessels long after their wartime service.

Resources & Links

3D Model – Calumet Island Lifeboat

Life Boat by 3DShipwrecks on Sketchfab

Lifeboat by Capt. Tim Caza on Sketchfab

Insights into Liberty ship components and their adaptation in peacetime.

Conclusion

The Calumet Island Lifeboat is not just an interesting dive site but a storybook of history and local legend. Once part of a wartime Liberty ship, it was transformed into a childhood adventure prop, meeting its fate in the playful chaos of target practice. Today, it rests as a quiet memorial to a bygone era, offering divers a unique glimpse into both the resilience of steel construction and the creativity of island life.

Tags

#LibertyShip #LifeboatWreck #CalumetIsland #StLawrenceRiverDiving #PostWarRepurposing #DiveOntario #ShotLineDiving #ZebraMussels