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by Gordon Dewis, Ottawa Chapter Committee Chair 
During the past year, the Ottawa Chapter Committee of Save Ontario Shipwrecks has undertaken various activities to further the very important mission of the organization. We held six meetings including the AGM in 2007, one of which was a barbeque hosted by one of the chapter members.
In the spring of 2007, the chapter donated $1000 to support the production of a documentary film of the lost villages in the St. Lawrence River. The movie opened to sold out viewings and is being distributed on DVD. In recognition of the donation, Save Ontario Shipwrecks’ logo features prominently in the closing credits.
The Twisted Sisters survey project lead by Nancy Binnie completed several days of survey work. This year, charter operators were used rather than the various boats used in the past. Logistically, this simplified things significantly. At the same time, it addressed some of the requirements of conducting dives covered by the liability insurance policy the organization has arranged with the Underwater Council of Ontario.
Outreach was another important activity of the chapter. The chapter was invited to attend Heritage Riverfest, a heritage event at Pinhey’s Point celebrating the 150th anniversary of the naming of the city of Ottawa as the capital of Canada. We had the opportunity to give a presentation to people attending the event and Nancy Binnie talked about the history of the two ships being recorded by the Twisted Sisters project and the importance of Ontario’s maritime heritage. The eastern Ontario display was set up and manned by a number of chapter members who talked to visitors attending the event.
Interpretive plaques were placed at the shore entry points for the wrecks of the Rothesay and Conestoga in the St. Lawrence River. Marg Barker lead this project, which saw the creation of two separate plaques, one for each wreck. These full-colour plaques include the history of the wrecks, site maps and other information useful to divers visiting the sites. Made of a UV-resistant phenolic material, these plaques are virtually indestructible and will promote Save Ontario Shipwrecks for years to come.
The plaques were installed on permanent bases fixed in concrete footings constructed on one of the wettest days in October by a team of volunteers from the chapter. Donations of concrete and the rental of a power auger ensured the successful installation of the pedestals.
Unveiling ceremonies held at both sites were attended by members of the council of the Township of Edwardsburgh/Cardinal, including Mayor Larry Dishaw, and by John Ward, chair of the English Speaking Committee of the Canadian National Committee of the International Council on Monuments and Sites. Following the ceremonies, we have received permission to place more interpretive plaques on other sites between Cardinal and Prescott. One site tentatively identified is the wreck of the Wee Hawk in the old lock chamber just upstream of the Conestoga.
As can be seen from the financial report, the chapter committee used the bulk of its funds supporting these projects. Consequently, activities in 2008 will need to be scaled back to more fiscally manageable levels. The majority of the chapter’s funds have come from NAS I and II courses in the past, but with the loss of the provincial marine archaeologist, the possibility of running a NAS I course this year is uncertain. Other sources of funding, such as Trillium Fund grants for the new plaque projects, need to be explored. Ideally, this should be coordinated through the Board so that other chapter committees can benefit from the funding.
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