(Unidentified Bow Rider – Discovery 2025)

Identification & Site Information

• Vessel Names / Former Names: Unknown – no visible markings or registration numbers
• Registration Number(s): None observed
• Year Built: Unknown (likely late 20th century based on Hull type)
• Dimensions: ~4.88 m (16 ft) estimated length; beam unknown
• Date of Loss / Abandonment: Undetermined – believed to be deliberate scuttling prior to discovery
• Coordinates: 44°22.756′ N, 75°51.974′ W
• Depth: ~12.8 m (42 ft)
• Location: Adjacent to rock shoal, near Kring Point State Park, St. Lawrence River, New York State, USA

Vessel Type

Small recreational bow rider pleasure craft — open bow configuration, outboard or Stern-drive powered prior to stripping.

Description

Fiberglass-hulled, recreational bow rider stripped of motor, seating, and most dashboard instrumentation. Hull is broken into two sections but remains in close proximity. Large rocks placed in the Stern area are consistent with intentional scuttling practices. Anchor located upstream from main wreckage.

History

No known operational history. Based on condition and construction type, vessel likely served as a private leisure craft before being stripped and deposited. No known reports of collision, fire, or weather-related sinking in immediate vicinity.

Final Disposition

• Cause of Loss: Intentional scuttling — evidence includes deliberate rock ballasting in Stern, stripped fittings, and deployed anchor.
• Salvage & Inquiry Findings: None to date.
• Legal / Insurance Outcomes: Unknown.

Located By & Date Found

• Discovery Date: 2025 (exact month unknown – reported in August 2025)
• Discovered By: Daniel J. Gildea during sonar mapping expedition; first sighted by team member “Carl.”
• Search Method: Side-scan sonar detection followed by ROV visual confirmation.
• Condition: Fair; Hull fractured but recognizable. Debris field limited to immediate area.

Notices to Mariners & Advisories

None issued as of August 2025.

Resources & Links

• YouTube ROV Footage – Carl’s Wreck – Original documentation by Daniel J. Gildea
• Kring Point State Park – NYS Parks

Shore Dive Information

• Entry Location: Nearest shore entry possible from Kring Point State Park; private boat or dive kayak recommended due to shoal hazards.
• Conditions: River current; reduced Visibility depending on season; water temps range from 4 °C (39 °F) in spring to 22 °C (72 °F) in late summer.
• Depth Range: 12–13 m (39–43 ft)
• Emergency Contacts:
  • US Coast Guard Sector Buffalo – VHF Ch. 16, +1 (716) 843-9523
  • Jefferson County Sheriff’s Marine Patrol – +1 (315) 786-2604
• Permits & Safety: No known permits required for recreational diving; exercise caution due to currents and proximity to navigation routes.

Video by SLD/Dan Gildea

Conclusion

Carl’s Wreck represents a recent and rare documented case of a modern small-craft scuttling in the St. Lawrence River near Kring Point State Park. While not historically significant in the traditional sense, its discovery provides valuable insight into patterns of vessel disposal and environmental considerations in the Thousand Islands region. Proper documentation will aid future archaeological monitoring and possible removal efforts.

Keywords, Categories, Glossary

• Region: St. Lawrence River – Thousand Islands, New York State
• Vessel Type: Recreational bow rider, fiberglass construction
• Cause of Loss: Deliberate scuttling
• Material: Fiberglass
• Period: Late 20th – early 21st century
• Dive Difficulty: Easy-to-moderate (current, Navigation Hazards)
• Hazards: Current, boat traffic, limited Visibility