Marine Archaeology Survey of SS Erie Belle Wreck Site Planned for Summer 2026

Marine Archaeology Survey of SS Erie Belle Wreck Site Planned for Summer 2026

This summer, volunteers with the Ontario Marine Heritage Committee will undertake a licensed marine archaeological survey of the wreck site of the SS Erie Belle, a steam tug that exploded in Lake Huron on 21 November 1883.

The survey will help document and better understand an important part of local marine history before natural conditions and time further affect the site. No artifacts will be recovered or removed as part of this work.

Fieldwork may begin as early as the July 4 weekend and continue periodically into August, depending on weather conditions and volunteer availability.

The project is being conducted under a Marine Archaeology Licence issued by the Province of Ontario and involves qualified volunteers, including archaeologists, divers, and historians.

Project Purpose

The purpose of the survey is to search the general area where wreckage has been reported, record the location of any remains of the ship, photograph them, and make detailed measurements of the Boiler Beach boiler.

The results will be prepared as a formal archaeological report for the Province of Ontario and will provide a baseline for assessing any future changes to the wreck site and its artifacts.

This year’s work is being carried out entirely by volunteers from across Ontario, including archaeologists, divers, and historians committed to preserving Ontario’s underwater cultural heritage, and the history of the Erie Belle in particular.

Historical Context

The Erie Belle had been built as a wrecking tug, Hector, in Cleveland, Ohio in 1862. The ship was renamed Erie Belle in 1879 following a fire, repairs, and sale to a Canadian captain. Working as a salvage tug during a devastating November storm, the boiler of the Erie Belle violently exploded while attempting to free the grounded schooner, J.N. Carter, south of Kincardine. 

The explosion destroyed the tug and killed four of the twelve men on board. The boiler ashore at Boiler Beach is part of the original boiler from the Erie Belle. Although boiler explosions were uncommon, they were a known risk and were responsible for several shipwrecks on the Great Lakes during the era of steam navigation.

The Boiler Beach boiler has been a well-known landmark in the area for nearly a century. However, relatively little is known about the remainder of the wreck, and the details of the boiler as an artefact have never been formally recorded. Local divers have reported items of wreckage offshore over several years and have provided valuable assistance in planning this project.

Public Advisory (Important Information for Residents)

This project involves protected underwater archaeological resources governed by provincial legislation.

The following conditions apply:

• No artifacts will be recovered, removed, or brought to shore

• The locations of underwater archaeological remains will not be publicly disclosed in order to protect the integrity of the site

• The public is asked to respect the protected nature of the site and to avoid attempting to locate, approach, or interfere with survey activities

These measures are required under the Ontario Heritage Act and associated provincial permitting to ensure the site is documented, protected, and preserved responsibly for future study.

Project Authorization and Protection

The work is authorized under a Marine Archaeology Licence issued by the Province of Ontario and is conducted in accordance with the Ontario Heritage Act.

The Township of Huron-Kinloss and the Municipality of Kincardine have been notified of the project, along with the South Bruce OPP Marine Unit and the Archaeology Office of the Saugeen Ojibway Nation.

Contact

For additional information about the project, please contact the organizers at:

sseriebelle@proton.me