The Julia B. Merrill, Toronto Harbour, Toronto, Ontario

The Julia B. Merrill, Toronto Harbour, Toronto, Ontario

WRECK INFO:
Ship Type: 3 Masted Schooner
Lifespan: Built 1872, Sunk 1931
Length: 125ft
Depths: 60ft
Location: Humber Bay, Toronto, Ontario
GPS: N43 37.133 W079 26.762

This wreck lies in about 60 feet of water, in Humber Bay, inside Toronto Harbour. It is located just about 5 minutes out of the boat launch at Humber Bay park west. The Julia B. Merrill was originally built in 1872 in Wenona, Michigan, operated as a schooner. It was purposely set on fire in 1931 just off Sunnyside park and set adrift to burn to the waterline, and eventually sank to where it lies today. Because it was purposely set on fire, the superstructure is pretty well gone, leaving just the keel, rudder, and posts.

The area can be fairly silty, so visibility can deteriorate quickly if the bottom is stirred up. Additionally, the water in Humber Bay can vary in temperature dramatically from one day to the other when deeper lake water turns over. With warmer water, visibility is typically poor with higher algae content and other living organisms in the water.

With this wreck within Toronto Harbour limits, a diving permit is required from the Toronto Harbourmaster in order to dive the wreck. The Toronto Police Marine Unit must also be notified prior to diving.