A team of enthusiasts interested in marine archaeology will be exploring a beach in southwestern Ontario this summer to investigate a tragic shipwreck that occurred over a hundred years ago. The SS Erie Belle, a steam tug, suffered a violent explosion in 1883 on Lake Huron near Kincardine, resulting in the immediate deaths of four individuals on board, with two more succumbing to injuries in the following weeks.
The cause of the wreck has been attributed to a faulty boiler, but conservation and wildlife biologist David Galbraith is leading an underwater survey to uncover more details about the incident. Galbraith, a member of the Ontario Marine Heritage Committee, shared his personal connection to the wreckage, stating that his interest was sparked by childhood visits to the boiler on the lakeshore.
With the issuance of a marine archaeology license from the province, Galbraith and his team will commence the survey without disturbing any artifacts. The focus will be on documenting and photographing the site in accordance with the Ontario Heritage Act, which prohibits unauthorized alteration or removal of artifacts from known marine archaeological sites.
The project, supported by fellow OMHC member Scarlett Janusus, aims to shed light on the historical significance of the SS Erie Belle explosion and enhance the understanding of the region’s maritime heritage. Janusus emphasized the importance of marine archaeology in preserving and interpreting underwater historical sites, highlighting the need for more research in the field.
The fieldwork, which includes surveys conducted by volunteers at Boiler Beach, is expected to extend into August, with Galbraith anticipating further inquiries and discoveries as part of an ongoing exploration process. As a trained scientist, he emphasized the iterative nature of scientific inquiry, stating that each question posed leads to more questions and deeper exploration of the subject matter.