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The Gunilda (Canada)
Very possibly one of the best preserved wreck dives of her type in the world the Gunilda is one of the most prestigious and well-preserved wrecks in the Canadian Great Lakes. The Gunilda now rests peacefully at a depth of 270 feet (80 meters) at the base of McGarvey Shoal in Lake Superior.
History Ramage & Ferguson Ltd., Scotland, built the Gunilda in Leith, in 1897 according to the plans of designers Cox & King. Her overall length was 195 feet (59.4 meters), her breadth was 24 feet, 7 inches (6.25 meters) and she had a draft of 12 feet, six inches (3.8 meters) with a gross of 385 tonnes. The Gunilda was powered by a triple expansion 27-inch (68.6 centimetres) stroke steam engine fuelled by two 160 pound pressure turbine boilers and could make 14 knots per hour.
At the time of her demise the Gunilda was owned by an affluent New Yorker by the name of William L. Harkness. The great lakes are not known for their forgiving nature and all too often frugal or ill-informed decisions result in disaster. Harkness chose not hire a local pilot to guide his ship through the various islands and shoals of this part of the lake. After hitting some rocks, all the prestigious passengers where safely brought to shore, leaving their personal belongings in their respective rooms. Harkness refused to pay for a second Tug and the Gunilda sank at the base of the pinnacle, in 270 feet (80 meters) of water. The date: August 11th 1911.
Diving the Gunilda The descent on the Gunilda takes 4 minutes. You will first encounter the deck at 250 feet (75 meters). The maximum depth attainable is 270 feet (82 meters). The visibility is 20 feet (6 meters) and there is no ambient light. The water temperature is 38F(4C) at the bottom, and there are 2 thermoclines, the first is at 30 feet (10 meters) and the other one at 100 feet (30 meters). There is no apparent current. Penetration on this wreck is forbidden because of the very narrow corridors. However, it is possible to admire the richness of the different salons through the many windows along the deck. The Gunilda is virtually intact, with all its lavish features including her gold trimmed carved wood at the bow, still in place. Members of the Cousteau Great Lakes Expedition in 1980, gazing at this wreck by means of a remote operated video camera, declared the luxury yacht, Gunilda, to be the most beautiful shipwreck they had ever seen.
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