Keystorm
A great day of August diving. A last-minute call on thursday got Fannie and I spots on the Riverdiver boat. The Keystorm was a wreck that I’ve been waiting for since I saw photo’s of her. The archive photo doesn’t do justice to the size of the wreck. At 256′ long, I need a second dive to see the abundance of interesting features on the wreck. Waiting near the dock to board the charter we met Kevin & Terri from Michigan. Terri was unfortunately under the weather to dive, but Kevin was good to go. Fannie and I were diving 130cf tanks with 32% nitrox for the first dive and air for the second dive. When Kevin told me he had a 100cf tank with 31% nitrox and an 80 with air it became obvious that we found a third person for our dives.
(Christian Lloyd-Kohls Photo)
“The Keystorm, a vessel belonging to the Keystone Transportation Company of Montreal, engaged regularly in the coal trade between various coal ports in the United States and Montreal, Left Charlotte, NY, on October 25, 1912 about 3:00 PM for Montreal with a cargo of 2,273 tons of coal and arrived of Tibbetts Point in the St. Lawrence about midnight. At 12:15 AM on October 26, the master gave over the charge of the navigation to his first mate, with the orders of a very definite nature as to what he should do, but for some reason or other did not go below to his quarters, but remained on the forward deck, evidently not being quite satisfied of the first mate’s ability to run the vessel in the intricate channel in that locality and also being doubtful as to the state of the weather, which was at that time unsettled.
At 3 AM the ship being off Alexandria Bay, the master retired to his bed, the weather conditions, according to evidence, being the same, but he did not take off his clothes, evidently expecting a call. From that point that point the vessel proceeded safely up to Sister’s Island Light, which was a perfectly straight course from Sunken Rock Light. When passing the Sister’s she rant into a bank of fog which obscured all lights and landmarks. The first mate then showed total disregard of all prudence or common sense and, not knowing what course the vessel would steer by compass, never having, as he said paid any attention to such a method of navigation, he tried to take the customary course by using what he supposed was the glimmer of light on Sister’s Island over the stern, but without being able to see the gas buoy on Chippewa Point Shoal which under ordinary circumstances would have shown on the starboard bow. Then, being doubtful of the ship’s position, and without any reduction in speed, he sent to call down the master, but before this could be done the ship struck Outer Scow Shoal, and became a total loss.”
(Quoted from http://www.dive1000islands.com/html/keystorm.html)
(Christian Lloyd-Kohls Photo)
The swim down to the prop seemed to take a while for me. Lying on her side the Keystorm started at 20′ and the prop was at 113′. Once there I was happy and calm. After taking a couple of shots of the prop we began swimming along the deck.
(Christian Lloyd-Kohls Photo)
The engine room was very interesting looking from outside the ship. Next time the engine room will be the goal. The Cargo holds were immense. Too much darkness to get a decent photo with my Canon S70.
(Christian Lloyd-Kohls Photo)
The mast was a picturesque sight.
(Christian Lloyd-Kohls Photo)
I was paying attention to the deck, when I looked up to notice the forward bridge. Oh there it is. The most telling feature of the wreck. Diving from the bottom up allows for the light to beam through the upper section. Making for some excellent light conditions especially on a sunny day.
(Christian Lloyd-Kohls Photo)
All around the wheel house seemed to be great locations to swim through, but for the first dive I was in awe of the site and didn’t have the time to enjoy all there is to offer. Such a beautiful site. The three of us hung out around the bow for a couple of minutes looking at the hanging chain. Fannie found a liking to it.
(Christian Lloyd-Kohls Photo)
We swam over the deck to the hull. Bass were enjoying the current. Waiting for a scrumshus morsel of food.
(Christian Lloyd-Kohls Photo)
We were in the water first and last, 52 min dive, 113′ max depth, 1000 psi left in tank. What a great dive!
(Christian Lloyd-Kohls Photo)
