Fantastic Discovery
The Second Dig. The Mystery Deepens!
James Mickle's Senior Thesis in Acrobat Format. If you don't have Adobe Acrobat, then go to this web site
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The 3rd Dig and the Cannon discovery.
Summary as of March 2nd, 2002. and Summary August 6th 2004
The above items are in order of time. You will notice that the team thought different things over time, but now the scene is starting to clear from the fog of time. Here is the latest summary by Ken Cassavoy chief archeologist.
About 6 years ago Gil Carter was digging a trench from his backyard on the beach in Southampton between Morpeth and Palmerston. He was trying to get some water for his lawn. Down about 5 feet, he came across what looked like the deck of a very large ship. He covered it up and told Mike Sterling about it. This year (2001), we had a very severe winter and the ice gouged out the beach just south of Gil's discovery revealing the ribs and possible railings of a very large ship. As you can see from the picture, the curve of the rail is such that it indicates a ship of great proportions. Keeping in mind Gil's discovery was some 15 feet north of the shapes shown about where the men are standing. Pictured are Dunc McCallum (who found the ribs this year), John Rigby, Ken Rothenberg and Mike Sterling all of the Propeller Club. The story is making headlines.
Friday, August 06, 2004
Things are proceeding faster here than we would like. The press and TV have come in force. I'll include a letter written last night to the Town Council to give you some idea of what is going on. Yesterday 2 TV crews were here and a big article appeared in the Toronto Star. People are coming in a steady stream to look at the wreck.
To: Saugeen Shores Town Council
Subject: Shipwreck on Southampton’s Beach. Approval to Investigate.
Date: April 23rd, 2001
Introduction: A large ship has been found on the Southampton beach in front of Gill and Mary Carter’s house (lot 2-337 ). It is partially buried under the sand 52 feet from the sidewalk running parallel to the shore. Because of some digging six years ago in another area 20 feet north of the present site, it appears to be a very large ship.
The most likely candidate is the 188 foot long Kaloola which had a 26 foot beam at its widest part. This ship at 620 gross tons was the largest side wheel steamer then existent on the Great Lakes. It went aground in 1862 while trying to save the Brigantine.Sir Charles Napier in a bad storm. If it is not the Kaloola, then it is more interesting still. The wreck has been examined by Patrick Folkes a marine historian of wide renown and archeologist Scarlett Janusas. Their findings were presented to the prestigious Ontario Marine Heritage Committee meeting at St. Catharines this last weekend.
Plan of Action: The Ontario Marine Heritage Committee has applied to the government for a license to excavate the wreck. They consider this a major find. The preliminary excavation will be done on May 5th, 2001 pending Saugeen Shores approval. The scientific team will be headed by the experienced archeologist Ken Cassavoy who has done research in Canada for the federal government and in Europe. He will be assisted by at least five other scientists and historians.
The initial excavation will try to establish the extent of the wreck by digging two trenches, one east west and the other north south. These findings will be used to produce a final excavation plan. All safety precautions will be used before, during and after the dig. At this time, we cannot access the full ramifications of the exploration.
The archeologists work in an orderly and neat fashion to achieve their results. There is no danger to any passerby. We anticipate that there will be interest in the project and some connection with the local educational system and volunteer network.
Recommendation: We have contacted the property owners in the immediate area of the dig and they are very enthusiastic about what has been found and what is to be discovered. We, therefore recommend that Saugeen Shores Town Council give their assent to this exciting project. It will add luster to our image as a community that is concerned with their rich maritime past.
Michael Sterling
Propeller Club/Marine Heritage Society.
Sunday April 22, 2001
Dear Mr. Mike Sterling,
Hi! You probably don't know me, so let me introduce myself. I'm Madison Wells. I just wanted to say the work you and your "crew" are doing on Chantry Island is fantastic!! My mom used to help out with your work and now works at the Art Gallery/Art School. You know how you found those boat parts sticking up out of the sand? Well, I was wondering if I could be part of the dig to get it out? I'm 10 years old in case you're wondering and I'm very willing to work extra hard.
My mom, Heather Heath, says I'm very responsible and I hope you will agree with her. I'm very interested in the discoveries and rediscoveries of this boat. I hope you are willing to give me a chance in taking part. I admire your work in the restoration of the lighthouse and the lighthouse keeper's home and am very, very interested in the findings of this 1850's boat. Thanks again for considering me as part of this.
Your new friend,
Madison Wells
P. S. I can't wait until there will be boat rides out to Chantry Island.
Thank you so much for your wonderful letter. I know your mother well and am looking forward to meeting you too. We will be sure to have you involved when we get organized. I'll talk to the archeologists when they come up and get you involved. Also, be sure to set aside some time this summer so that you can come out with your mother and work with us. We have some interesting things that you can do.
Your new friend.
Mike Sterling
April 26th. We need to protect the site. Silly people are digging down there. The Police stopped them. We are having a sign made. Radio and TV people are calling all the time. A private producer wants to do a documentary on the whole thing for Discovery. I like her attitude and energy. I talked to her today for an hour. For other news see the Diary of Events. The Town Council gave their approval. As usual they are wonderful to work with each and every time they are approached.
On the l7th day of August 1862 the
Canadian brig Sir Charles Napier went
aground above the mouth of the Saugeen River. Following a telegraphed
request for assistance the Kaloolah steamed to Southampton intending to
pull her off. The Napier lay in an awkward position and in trying to
release her the Kaloolah fouled a paddlewheel in the tow ropes. This
required her to withdraw to the Bogus Dock, south of the river near the
present pumping station, to have it cleared. While this was being done a
southwest gale sprang up and forced the Kaloolah to make for the shelter
of the Saugeen. She was too close to the beach and fetched up on the
rocks off the foot of Southampton's main street.(C.H.J. Snider, Schooner
Days, Toronto Telegram, June l7,1939)
See another picture of the Kaloolah
More News: Jim Mclay may do a ground seeking radar study to help the archeologists. Ken Cassavoy is coming on Friday afternoon
Ron Beaupre has written a very extensive history of the Kaloolah in the Scanner's May 1994 issue. He is going to get permission for us to print it fully soon. Of interest to me is the number of mishaps that the Kaloolah encountered in its 10 year life. I'd have to read a lot more about Steamships to make sure that this was not uncommon. It seems excessive.
One startling story concerns the
Kaloolah being in the lea side of Chantry Island before the Harbour of Refuge
was constructed, but after the pier on the north side of the Island was
built Capt. A. N. McGregor could not hold the steamer at anchor to
withstand the storm even with power. He leapt off the ship with a thin
line and swam to the pier. Securing the line, he returned to Kaloolah for
a stouter line and returned to secure her to the pier for the night keeping
steam up to maintain the ship against the storm. We've found that this
anchorage slips a good deal with any wind.
Where did the strange name Kaloolah come from?
Many ships have been named for novels or events. William Starbuck Mayo named his bestseller Kaloolah. In the 1850's the unrest due to slavery was apparant. The novel Kaloolah as briefly described below could have influenced the first owner.
To a slightly later date belong the two novels of William Starbuck Mayo (1812–95), Kaloolah (1849) and The Berber (1850), stories of wild adventure in Africa. The first contains a strange mixture of satire and romance in its account of a black Utopia visited by the Yankee hero Jonathan Romer.
Had dinner with Ken Cassavoy and his wife. Very interesting..... the whole town is abuzz. Jim McLay will bring in ground radar tomorrow and also establish a grid for Ken and crew. This should be a fun day. It will be a very long process which may take all summer. (May 4th, 2001)
May 5th and 6th 2001.
The cast of characters:
Site Coordinator and Chief Archeologist: Ken Cassavoy Trent University and his wife Pat
Archeologist: Scarlett Janusus
Marine Historian/Archologist Patrick Folkes
Marine Historian: Ron Beaupre.
Geophysics: Tony Endres, Zona Endres Waterloo University
Geophysics: Jim McLay Waterloo University.
Resource Historian: John Weichel Southampton.
Distinguished Observer: Steve Blasco recent recipient of the "Order of Canada" for science and first down on the Titanic expedition of Ballard.
Guests: More than 2000 observers and many press and TV outlets.
The Events:
Jim McLay using very accurate GPS instruments put down an extensive grid running with its long axis parallel to the direction of the flow of the ships exposed ribs. The accuracy of this grid was within a few centimeters. Accuracy was great both horizontally and vertically. (See Ron Beaupre and Jim doing GPS)
Tony and Zona using the grid now marked with yellow flags proceeded to use ground penetrating radar to survey the site. Pictured are Jim McLay and Tony. The device consisted of two hand held sensors and a "wagon" containing a PC.
Ken and crew with help from local volunteers carefully began to dig a trench running west to east to probe deeper for the ship. This trench was extended by volunteers and the above crew over the two days to an approximate depth of 8 feet. The beautiful curve of the huge hull was gradually exposed showing its double planking.
As the hole deepened, we had to contend with seeping water. Doug Welch let us use a two inch heavy duty pump with John Eagleson’s generator and we were able to keep up with the flow allowing the researchers to gather their measurement data and to look for artifacts. The hole grew to gigantic proportions due to the nature of the sand. It was gradually terraced to prevent cave in and injury. At mid-day on Sunday with the pump working the flat deck was reached. It was solid with the curve of the hull visible on each side. This deck may have been below decks. This is unknown at this time. All timbers were in very good shape and massive. Here is a close-up of the ribs looking west. Looking east you can see the other side of the hull with the ribs and some metal straps still fastened to the sheeting behind the sand.
It was clear to the scientists that the ship was both very large and not a schooner, but final results must await further digs and analysis.
Sunday after the first dig was done a shallow trench was dug 20 feet north of the first one with the help of George Morgan. It showed additional massive timbers exactly where Gil Carter said they would be situated. Gil had kept excellent records with detailed sketches dating from 1989. Great engineering Gil!!
The entire site was buried again at the end of the day Sunday and the crew will be back on the 26th of May for a further dig.
The Second Dig May 26th and May 27th, 2001.
Well, we now have a deeper mystery! The Kaloolah remains unfound, but we now have two vessels rather than one. The dig continued under the direction of Ken Cassavoy and Scarlet Janusus with support by Patrick Folkes and Stan McClennan of Fathom V fame. (See Stan and Ken taking note of things.)
Two efforts were undertaken based upon the ground penetrating radar of Tony Endres. He predicted major hits south of the first dig and some north. Two deep holes were attempted. The northern one revealed either the bow or the stern of the vessel found investigated on the first dig. The second dig extended the rib investigation north and it revealed a much shorter ship that the famous Kaloolah, but every bit as interesting. (The picture shows Propeller Club Bob Chatterton at the bow or stern with the west ribs exposed.) The stern or bow was reached at 53 feet with a beam of about 18. The timbers were even more massive than seen on the first dig. What kind of ship it is and it's age is now a mystery. The northern dig continued in the area of Gil Carter's 1989 discovery and extended north. Much to the surprise of everyone, a second large and massive barge took shape right next to the other discovery. This barge looked to be in wonderful condition. Could it be an early net barge? The bottom of it revealed massive timbers, but no damage at all. (See the picture of two archeologists and Propeller Club Member Ken Rothenburg from the USA measuring the barge) This is all very strange. Now we have two mysteries and a third too! The Kaloolah remains to be found and what are these two unknown wrecks?
All this gave rise to much speculation about this area of the beach being a graveyard of wrecks from long ago before records were kept of such events. I'm amazed and mystified!
What was also interesting was the massive press coverage from all over with the exception of our local press. Somehow they did not get the word. One reporter from out of town was here for 3 days. TV people came from our local station and far away came in force. An independent film producer came again to do a sequence.. Those that left early, got the wrong story. They left before the jury returned and went to press with speculation. All in all everybody missed the story. Lots of fun.
No, it's not like Fermat's Last Theorem. Jim reviewed the barge like vessel which is so stoutly constructed and said it might be one of the large barges used on the Long Dock construction. I originally rejected this because the bottom and sides of the compartments of the barge were unharmed. Part of the barge discovery revealed a stout deck. The picture of these "Little Monsters" shows that they were indeed quite stout and had a deck. The derrick on them was used to move the stones into place from the deck The picture clearly shows the stones on the deck and not in the hold. The compartments could indeed be for strength and not containment. Jim could well be correct. You will note in the picture that 4 barges are visible with one steam powered. I think Jim may be right.
On June 6th I talked to Ken Cassavoy about Jim's conjecture. He liked the idea. He has two leads on the ship next to the barge. He is going to write a letter to Ron Brown the Town Manager. I assume asking for long term support. I'll check with Patrick Folkes tonight to see what he thinks
The Third Dig October 7th-10th 2002
The purpose of the dig was to verify the type of ship involved. It has been determined that the one vessel was a work barge. The other was unknown. The experts decided to use the magnetometer studies to locate the keelson and then excavate down it to see if there were mast steps. This was accomplished and two were found. One was a husky one and the other looked much smaller. This means that the vessel was a two mast schooner. While excavating a large piece of metal was discovered that turned out to be an ancient cannon, probably a swiveling deck cannon. According to the experts it was the first ever discovered on Lake Huron in a ship as far as they know. It was found forward of the large mast step and forward of any ballast. It is about a meter long and some of Ken Cassavoy's friends view it as common in the late 18th century.
Lots of ballast was found along with many iron spikes and other objects. We also found some slate near the ballast. The slate looked unrefined and not yet suitable for roofing. It could be excess from some cargo, but there were not many pieces. The ballast contained some limestone that looked to be mind and not beach stone. Some of it looked to large for ordinary ballast which is better if it is about 1.5 times the size of a large cannon ball because it nests better that way. The limestone found in the wreck contained some beach limestone and also some angular limestone that was clearly not exposed to the beach or glacial smoothing.
Some dialog about the encrustations and ballast with the rock hound/geologist Liz Fodi.
Did the Weazell (our new spelling) look like the top mast schooner Sultana The dimensions are about the same.
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