Divers search for S.S. Charlottetown

By Nick Moase

THE ADVANCE

NovaNewsNow.com

Dave and Kathy Brush are looking for the wreck of the S.S. Charlottetown and are asking local residents to help them find it.

Last year the Brush’s took measurements and photos in and around the fish farm in Port Mouton. They’re new quest is to find the ferry S.S. Charlottetown. “I wouldn’t be surprised if there is someone that knows where that wreck is. It’s just a matter of contacting them,” he said.

The S.S. Charlottetown was a car ferry that served the Northumberland Strait crossing between New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island. The ship served from 1931 until sinking off of Port Mouton in 1941. At the time the ship was on its way to St. John for a refit. “It’s a fantastic piece of history,” he said.

They know the ship went down off of Little Hope Island in the Port Mouton area, but that’s where it starts to get a little murky.

The story, Brush says, splits in two directions. One story has the ship being towed inland to try and save it. The other is the ship was towed out to deeper water when the Captain was realized it couldn’t be saved.

The Charlottetown is one of approximately 31 wrecks in the Port Mouton area, dating from the 1700’s right up to 1989. Few of the wreck locations are know for certain.

One wreck the Brushs have explored, the Gigg, went down in 1782 on the beach of Carter’s Island. The sloop of war’s anchor slipped and it beached itself. The remains now sit in 10 to 12 feet of water.

Dave Brush is hoping that someone may have been on one of the towing boats when the Charlottetown went down.

He added, once wrecks are documented like they are in Halifax, more divers would likely be attracted to the area.

Recreational diving is growing in popularity along the shores of Nova Scotia, due in part to the clear waters and the province’s vibrant seafaring history.

The Brushs are looking for stories, photos or anything else related to the S.S. Charlottetown that may help them in their quest.

The Brush’s can be reached by e-mail at kdbrush@eastlink.ca or phone 902-895-0652.