La Grande Hermine II - St. Catharines, ON
Posted by: 
Juicepig
N 43° 11.078 W 079° 22.217
17T E 632438 N 4782607
Originally a replica of Jacque Cartiers "Big Weasel", the burnt out hult rests close to shore along the QEW in St. Catharines - creating a very unique eyesore.
Waymark Code: WM5PH6
Location: Ontario, Canada
Date Posted: 01/30/2009
Views: 42
The Original "La Grande Hermine" (or Big Weasel) was sailed up the St. Lawrence River by Jacque Cartier in 1535. A replica of the vessel was made as a tour boat in the 1960's in Quebec City. The Replica was sold to a Young Entrepreneur with dreams of making it just the thing to bring hungry visitors to his harbour side restaurant.
The Tour Boat was sailed up the St. Lawrence from Quebec city in the late 1990s, then intentionally moored (anchored) and listed (leaning) to the harbour floor. The Harbour side restaurant never did get built, as the entrepreneur went bankrupt shortly afterwards.
In 2002 arson burned the wooden exterior of the ship to its steel barge-like appearance.
During cold winters you can walk to the ship - but be very careful.
Date of Shipwreck: 1990s
Type of Boat: Powerboat
Military or Civilian: Civilian
Cause of Shipwreck: Intentional mooring - failed gimmicky restaurant
Accessibility:
Parking at a turnabout, approximately 20m from shore. If you wish to swim out there I don't suspect anyone will try and stop you.
Diving Permitted: yes
|
Visit Instructions:
Only log the site if you have visited it personally.
Floating over a site does not qualify as a find if it is a wreck that requires diving - you must have actually visited the site - therefore photos of the site are good.