Home > Introduction and History > History of the CHS > Central & Arctic
The History of the CHS Central & Arctic Region
1980-1981
1980 – Highlights
This was the third year of the Planning Review Evaluation (PRE) and coincidentally also the third year of a direct link between the Great Lakes Biolimnology Laboratory and Ocean and Aquatic Sciences (OAS). The linkage was additionally strengthened by OAS membership on the Canada/Ontario Water Quality Agreement Working Group. The PRE exercise was completed by the end of the year, including the proposed targets for the Program Forecast Years to 1984-85.
During 1980, the Region carried out hydrographic field surveys in M’Clintock Channel, central Lake Erie, the North Channel, Georgian Bay and the Bruce Peninsula of Lake Huron, Lake Nipissing and the St. Lawrence River. Additionally, revisory surveys were conducted throughout the Region from the Winnipeg River to the Ottawa River, and rotational hydrographers charted the approaches to Nanticoke Harbour on Lake Erie.
The Hydrographic Cartographic Unit increased its chart production substantially over the last year with ten new charts being produced for the Ottawa River, Lake Erie and Hudson Bay. The automated cartographic Graphical On-Line Manipulation & Display System (GOMADS) was used to produce the Toronto Harbour chart and to document processing procedures.
The Hydrographic Development Section continued its ongoing work with GOMADS, the integrated Navigation & Data Acquisition System (NAVBOX) and the Marine Arctic Route Reconnaissance System (MARSS), and initiated two projects designed to improve data logging techniques. An Arctic Tidal Acquisition and Telemetry System (TATS) provided real-time water level data in M’Clintock Channel.
The field surveys produced several noteworthy accomplishments this year. The M’Clintock Channel and the North Channel surveys successfully used solar panels to extend battery life on Mini-Ranger III chains. The North Channel Survey also extracted shoreline and inshore contours from aerial bathymetry plots provided by Hunter & Associates. Laser measuring units were used for horizontal control for harbour surveys in Georgian Bay and the St. Lawrence River.
During the year the Region lost the services of R. Chapeskie, F. Hall, R. Lewis and B. Tait. Ray Chapeskie accepted a supervisor’s position in the Pacific Region and Frank Hall joined the College of Trades and Technology in St. John’s, Nfld, as Head of the Survey Department. Reg Lewis became the Manager of Hydrographic Planning and Records with the Atlantic Region and Brian Tait is the new Chief of Tides, Currents and Water Levels at Headquarters, Ottawa. B. White joined the Region as Head of the Tidal Instrument Development Section.
A highlight of the year occurred when the Cousteau research vessel RV CALYPSO docked at CCIW and worked in this area on two different occasions. The purpose of these visits was to obtain film footage of the sunken 1812 warships, HAMILTON and SCOURGE. CSL SHARK played a major role in this operation by positioning the CALYPSO over the wrecks and providing considerable assistance in the enterprise. A helicopter was made available to support the program by transporting personnel and equipment to the site. During the second visit to the HAMILTON/SCOURGE site. LIMNOS also provided invaluable assistance by laying an anchoring arrangement for CALYPSO. Title to the two ships, lying intact in nearly 90 metres of water, has been given to the City of Hamilton, which hopes to raise them for a display in a museum to be built at Confederation Park. Short of time and hampered by poor visibility underwater, CALYPSO’S two-man diving saucer managed to explore only the HAMILTON. Albert Falco, Cousteau’s chief diver, said he had waited 30 years to be the first to see something as dramatic as the sunken warship. He described a beautiful carved figurehead of the goddess Diana, and cannon still standing on deck. Further the ship “looks like was just set down gently on the bottom of Lake Ontario.” The sails and rigging have disintegrated, but the masts still stand tall and the wood appears sound.
Field Hydrography
With the support from the Polar Continental Shelf Project of DEMR, P. Davies’ party carried out a detailed through-the-ice survey of northern M’Clintock Channel and Guillemard Bay. In M’Clintock Channel, the survey operated with the Earth Physics Branch of DEMR who collected gravity observations and soundings throughout the Channel on a 6 km grid. For hydrographic purposes, the grid was reduced to 2 km from the shoreline to the 200-metre contour on both sides of the Channel. Electric rams were installed on two of the helicopters and on the tracked vehicle and provided more than half the soundings. Solar panels were successfully used during the tracked vehicle survey of Guillemard Bay to extend battery life for the Mini Ranger III positioning system. The survey produced 22,383 spot soundings in an area approximately 10,000 square miles. The survey camp, situated on the west side of Prince of Wales Island, was left on site over the summer months for the 1981 survey.
In the North Channel of Lake Huron, R. Marshall’s survey party used two Nelson 34 launches, NAUTILUS and NIMBUS, to conduct a detailed survey of the area from Mississagi Island westward to Thessalon Island. Automated logging and processing (INDAPS) and manual techniques were combined to collect the sounding data. The survey was also the first to make extensive use of aerial bathymetry plots for establishing shoreline and inshore contours.
In southeastern Georgian Bay, A. Welmers headed the harbour surveys of Midland, Tiffin, Penetanguishene, Port McNicoll and Victoria Harbour. These surveys will lead to the production of a new type of harbour chart where each harbour will be on a separate chart and other unique features will be incorporated. Our new Laser Ranger V was used extensively during this survey and all users reported complete satisfaction with its capabilities.
The Lake Erie survey, under the direction of F. Hall and P. Davies, progressed eastward from Plum Point to Long Point. CSS BAYFIELD, a Bertram and a Hydro were used to complete the coastal and offshore surveys of the lake. The harbours remain to be surveyed.
The St. Lawrence River survey, led by R. Lewis, moved downriver from the area that was surveyed in 1979. In 1980, the area from Rockport to Brockville was completed at a scale of 1:10,000. In addition, Brockville Narrows was surveyed at a scale of 1:5,000 and Brockville Harbour 1:1,000. The shoreline for Brockville Harbour was developed using a TopCon Laser unit. At year’s end two of these were purchased.
During the second year of a multiyear program in Lake Nipissing, E. Thompson’s survey party covered the area from Jocko Point to west of Sandy Island. The topography of the western end of this lake is more complex than the east end and, therefore required more time to survey. A helicopter was used extensively on this survey to bomb shoals and fix rocks in the shallow waters of this lake.
Once again, the Revisory Survey covered most of the southern limits of the Region. M. Crutchlow’s group spent most of the time working on charts of the Winnipeg River, Lake of the Woods, Thunder Bay, Georgian Bay, Ottawa River and the St. Lawrence River. Considerable time and effort was spent collecting data for the Winnipeg River charts because the area has never been properly surveyed.
The U.S.-Canada exchange program continued with G. Fenn participating from Canada and S. Bradford from the U.S. The exchange program continues to be an excellent means of keeping in touch with U.S. programs and survey procedures.
BAYFIELD was used to calibrate the Loran-C in Lake Huron. The Headquarters Nautical Geodesy Section provided considerable input in the planning of this program and one man to participate in the fieldwork.
During 1980, R. MacDougall worked closely with the Canada Centre for Remote Sensing on all phases of the Aerial Hydrography Project. Central Region’s effort was concentrated on the field work required for the Bruce Peninsula project.
In eastern Lake Erie, rotational hydrographers under J. Wilson conducted a survey of Nanticoke Harbour and approaches.
Ships and Launches
Throughout the summer months, CSS BAYFIELD participated in the Lake Erie survey until September 21 and then proceeded to Lake Huron to carry out Loran-C calibration trials. On the return trip, the remainder of the Lake Erie survey was completed in the Long Point area and the vessel returned to Burlington.
The Lake Nipissing commenced early in May when all survey equipment was moved from North Bay to Sturgeon Falls, which was used as a survey base. Launches HELIX, HORNET, LAB#1, two Boston Whalers and two small aluminum boats supported this program. Operations continued from this site throughout the season until October 17, when the survey was terminated and all launches, equipment and personnel returned to Burlington.
This was the first season for the North Channel survey, which commenced on May 1 when, launches NAUTILUS and NIMBUS departed Burlington and sailed to Thessalon. LAB#3, one Boston Whaler and one small aluminum boat were road transported to Thessalon, which was used as the survey base. NAUTILUS was multi-tasked for Search and Rescue on a 24-hour, 7 days a week basis, while NIMBUS and the remainder of the small craft worked regular survey hours. By October 15, all small craft were taken from the water and prepared for the return trip to Burlington. NAUTILUS and NIMBUS departed Thessalon on October 16 and sailed to Burlington, arriving here on October 24.
CSS BAYFIELD supported the Lake Erie survey, as well as CSL BRONTE, HYDRO I and HYDRO II. On May 1, launches and survey equipment were road transported to Port Stanley. The survey operated from this site until August 11, when the base was moved to Port Burwell and operated from there until the end of the season. By October 24, all launches, equipment and personnel were returned to Burlington.
The Nanticoke survey consisted of a harbour and main channel survey and was supported by one Botved launch and HYDRA. Ship’s crew and hydrographic personnel traveled daily to and from Burlington to the survey site from April 16 to July 11, when the survey was temporarily terminated. On September 22, this survey resumed, using HELIX, and was completed by November 21, at which time the launch and equipment were returned to Burlington.
The St. Lawrence River survey resumed in May and was supported by three Botved launches HASTY, HUSTLE and HUNT, as well as two Boston Whalers. All launches and equipment were road transported to Brockville, and by May 13 the sounding program had commenced. All launches and equipment were returned to Burlington by October 17.
Chart Production
The year proved to be productive for the Cartographic Unit. The unit worked hand-in-hand with the hydrographic survey parties and shared in their positive outlook. Chart production achievements include 28 New Editions, 10 New Charts, 10 patches and 50 draft Notices to Mariners. In addition, the unit was involved in the normal assessment and analysis required for 1211 individual submissions and 68 field sheets.
CHS Central Region Staff
Regional Hydrographer - G.R. Douglas
Asst. Regional Hydrographer - E. Brown
Hydrographers - B.M. Wright, E.F. Thompson, R.A. Marshall, J. H. Wilson, R. J. Mahaffy, R.A. Covey, A. P. Welmers, P. Elliott, B. Eidsforth, J. G. Dixon, G. K. Thompson, J. J. Biggar, A. J. Koudys, J. H. Weller, G. P. Fenn, J. Medendorp, F. Hall, P. V. Davies, R. C. Lewis, K. J. Hipkin, M. J. Casey, C. V. Gorski, R. A. Langford, B. R. Power, M. R. Crutchlow, K. W. Daechsel, D. G. Pugh, R. K. Beri, R. Treciokas, M. L. Powell, M. P. Bennett, J. R. MacDougall, R.C. Robitaille.
Chart Production
Chief - A. B. Thorson
Cartographers/multi-disciplinary Hydrographers
C. J. Elliott, M. T. Frederick, C.R. Fisher, M. A. Lloyd, B. R. Beale, R. P. Warren, B. E. Richards, D. Pigeon, B. Little, D. B. MacKenzie, S. Chander, A. P. Gris, A. M. Bonnici, R. E. Chapeskie, H. C. Nepomuceno, S. G. Bockmaster, H. Fuchs
Hydrographic Development Group
Head - G. Macdonald
Technical Staff - B. Tinney, N. Prince, P. Millette
Research and Development Section
Chief - N. G. Freeman
Survey Electronics
Head - W.W. Smith
Technical Staff - R. Coons, H.J. Boyce, T. Dyas, G. Kavanagh, W. Montgomery, D. Pyatt, R. Sleath, M. Szucs, B. Waldock
Program Support
Head - E. O. Lewis
Computer Programming
Technical Staff - C. Doekes, P. Varga, R. Dawson, B. Flemming, G. Rogers
Tides and Water Levels Section
Head - B. J. Tait
Technical Staff - D.A. St. Jacques, R.R. Solvason
Tidal Instrumentation Development Group
Head - B.J. Tait
Technical Staff - J.H. Thurm, J. Kozacyniski, R.B. Johns, B.F. White
Marine Information Centre
Head - A.R. Rogers
Technical Staff - L. Mortimer
Hydrographic Data Centre
Head - A.R. Rogers
Technical Staff - D. Robertson
Field Inspection Unit
Head - A.R. Rogers
U.S. Exchange Program
To US Lake Survey - G. Fenn
From US Lake Survey - S. Bradford
Shore Property Studies
Head - W.S. Haras
Technical Staff - R. Boyd, D. Sinoski, G. L. Boyd, D. Canning, K. Weaver
Ships & Launches
Head - A. Quirk
Engineering Superintendent - A.T. Hughes
Chief of Operations - W.S. Corkum
Boatshop Foreman - K.D. Robertson
1981 – Highlights
This year has been accented with changes and achievement. On January 1, the name “Ocean and Aquatic Sciences” (OAS) was replaced with “Ocean Science and Surveys” (OSS). Shortly afterwards, Central Region was also renamed the Bayfield Laboratory for Marine Science and Surveys in honour of the pioneer hydrographer of the Great Lakes, Admiral Henry Wolsey Bayfield. At the same time the Research and Development Division became known as the Oceanographic Division. The creation of the Bayfield Laboratory reiterated this Region’s commitment to hydrographic surveys and the production of nautical charts and navigational publications.
The Director General, Director of Hydrography and CSS BAYFIELD took part in the ceremonies by the Bayfield Historical Society in July at the village of Bayfield on Lake Huron, honouring Admiral Henry Wolsley Bayfield. A sail past of CSS BAYFIELD followed by presentations in the village square and village hospitality were highlights of the event.
The U.S. National Ocean Survey Ship WHITING visited the Bayfield Laboratory in October on her way out of the Great Lakes and was open for tours to all regional staff.
CHS supported a Department of Supply and Services unsolicited proposal from Marshall Macklin Monaghan Ltd. for the production of a combination topographic map and a nautical chart. The product is intended to serve the needs of recreational boaters and sport fishermen. During 1981, the areas around Blind River and Lake Kamaniskeg were completed.
Field Hydrography
CHS completed a two year reconnaissance survey of M’Clintock Channel during the 1981 winter field season. The survey reoccupied the 1980 base camp that had been left intact on the southwestern side of Prince of Wales Island. As a result, the survey got an early start and was able to collect 9971 spot soundings through the ice. A shallow bank, with a least depth of 21 metres was found west of Cape Alexander in Larsen Sound. PCSP of DEMR provided aircraft support and a Decca 6f Hyperbolic positioning system. The EDO 9040 echo sounder was used, in conjunction with both oil-coupled and ‘spike’ transducers, to obtain soundings through the ice. Earth Physics Branch of DEMR continued their regional gravity mapping. During the 1981 survey, 1,000 gravity observations were collected throughout the area on a 6-km grid.
A detailed hydrographic survey of the approaches to Chesterfield Inlet was carried out aboard CCGS SIR WILLIAM ALEXANDER. The survey was conducted at a scale of 1:75,000 and covered an area of 60 sq. km. The ship was used in conjunction with two launches, NAUTILUS and NIMBUS, and combined they produced 15,579 km of sounding and 474 shoal examinations. SIR WILLIAM ALEXANDER proved to be an excellent hydrographic ship although accommodation and launch handling ability were limited. The survey produced two items of special interest. First, a NAVBOX shoal examination procedure was developed which eliminated the use of a marker buoy. Second, the use of a Mini-Fix chain with 15 metre towers and increased ground matting produced an exceptionally stable pattern and ranges of up to 200 km.
The Lake Ontario survey covered an area from Kingston to the west end of Amherst Island and included the Lower Gap and the Boat Channel. This survey produced 2,708 km of sounding and 410 shoal examinations. An important, uncharted shoal and 12 uncharted wrecks were discovered. Although the shipwrecks were of interest to the local historical society and to dive clubs, they presented no danger to navigation. With the completion of this survey, the area between Amherst Island and Brockville can now be recharted with modern soundings.
The southern Lake Huron survey collected 6835 km of sounding lines and examined 209 shoals in the coastal zone between Sarnia and Goderich, Ontario. This survey party was also an official Search and Rescue Station and responded to 50 distress calls this season.
The North Channel survey entered the second year of a four-year project to resurvey this area of Lake Huron. The survey party was based in Thessalon and sounded an area south to Drummond Island and west to Bruce Mines. A total of 5511 km of sounding lines and 892 shoals were examined.
A 4-km square area of the eastern shore of Lake Huron near Red Bay was surveyed by conventional hydrographic techniques to evaluate the photogrammetric and LIDAR depths and the air photo interpretation plots that were collected in 1980. Based on the results of the evaluation, a scanning laser bathymeter for use in helicopters will be developed. A fixed-base simultaneous photography system was mounted on a conventional helicopter and used to test the feasibility of determining depths and positions of shoals precisely with the use of 70-mm aerial photographs.
The major hydrographic survey of Lake Nipissing entered its third season. The work concentrated on the western end of the lake and covered the following areas: Cache Bay, Wigwam Point to Hay Rock and Harwood Island to Lavigne. The bottom this section of the lake is very irregular with many shoals and isolated rocks. Dense weed growth in many areas hampered sounding operations. A total of 5098 km of sounding were collected and 2100 shoals were examined.
In a continuing effort to transfer technology to private industry, the Canadian Hydrographic Service, Bayfield Laboratory contracted with Marinav Corporation, Ottawa to carry out a hydrographic survey of Lake Manitoba. This is a multi-year survey which will terminate in 1984 with the completion of 5 field sheets at a scale of 1:30,000 and 2 field sheets at 1:50,000. After a series of administrative delays, work began in August and good progress was made during the remainder of the field season. Doppler satellite was used to establish horizontal control and two launches were used for sounding. The field sheets were hand inked.
The 1981 revisory survey completed 20 chart revisions including eastern Lake Ontario, Georgian Bay, North Channel, Lake of the Woods and Rainy Lake. Additional time was spent on several horizontal control projects including SATNAV positioning, shoal examinations, shoreline discrepancies, and the Mailbox Aerial Photography System (MAPS). MAPS was in its first production season and was used to identify and transfer shoreline changes and shoals.
Ships and Launches
Early in May, Ship Division received word that CCGS SIR WILLIAM ALEXANDER would be available to conduct a hydrographic survey in Hudson Bay. Launches NAUTILUS and NIMBUS, which were already assigned to surveys in Lake Huron, were returned to Burlington. The launches were refitted for northern survey work and together with a power module, were transported to Dartmouth, N.S. and secured on board the vessel. Office and workshop facilities were provided by using two container modules borrowed from the Bedford Institute of Technology. The launches worked well in the northern environment.
Following complaints from field parties that Boston Whalers were becoming slower, it was discovered that some boats gained as much as 1200 lbs. during the course of the survey. Apparently when the fiberglass on the hull becomes chipped, the foam between the hulls absorbs water like a sponge. The manufacturer gave no satisfactory response to the problem and Ship Division is now looking for a suitable replacement. As a result the Division acquired five new vessels this year. A barge was built to accommodate scientific programs that required a large working area. Two 20-foot Cape Island style boats were purchased for evaluation and two 21-foot Grew boats were obtained for the 1982 hydrographic surveys.
Chart Production
This year there were 19 employees of the Bayfield Laboratory directly involved in the production of nautical charts. Their combined effort was responsible for the completion of 2 New Charts in Georgian Bay, 24 New Editions throughout the Great Lakes and 5 correction patches. In addition, 65 draft Notices to Mariners were forwarded to Ottawa for publication and 90 special projects were undertaken.
CHS Central Region Staff
Regional Hydrographer - G.R. Douglas
Asst. Regional Hydrographer - E. Brown
Hydrographers - B.M. Wright, E.F. Thompson, R.A. Marshall, J. H. Wilson, R. J. Mahaffy, R.A. Covey, A. P. Welmers, P. Elliott, B. Eidsforth, J. G. Dixon, G. K. Thompson, J. J. Biggar, A. J. Koudys, J. H. Weller, G. P. Fenn, J. Medendorp, P. V. Davies, K. J. Hipkin, M. J. Casey, C. V. Gorski, R. A. Langford, B. R. Power, M. R. Crutchlow, K. W. Daechsel, D. G. Pugh, R. K. Beri, R. Treciokas, M. L. Powell, M. P. Bennett, J. R. MacDougall, R.C. Robitaille B. Richards, S. Hinds.
Chart Production
Chief - A. B. Thorson
Cartographers/multi-disciplinary Hydrographers
C. J. Elliott, M. T. Frederick, C.R. Fisher, M. A. Lloyd, B. R. Beale, R. P. Warren, D. Pigeon, B. Little, D. B. MacKenzie, S. Chander, A. P. Gris, A. M. Bonnici, H. C. Nepomuceno, S. G. Bockmaster, H. Fuchs-Trapp
Hydrographic Development Group
Head - G. Macdonald
Technical Staff - B. Tinney, N. Prince, P. Millette
Oceanographic Division
Chief - N. G. Freeman
Survey Electronics
Head - W.W. Smith
Technical Staff - R. Coons, H.J. Boyce, T. Dyas, G. Kavanagh, W. Montgomery, D. Pyatt, R. Sleath, M. Szucs, B. Waldock. D. Tobio
Program Support
Head - E. O. Lewis
Computer Programming
Head - C. Doekes
Technical Staff - J. Anning, D. Sosnoski, B. Flemming
Tides and Water Levels Section
Head - D.A. St. Jacques
Technical Staff - R.R. Solvason
Tidal Instrument Development and Engineering Support
Head - B. F. White
Technical Staff - J.H. Thurm, R.B. Johns
Marine Information Centre
Head - A.R. Rogers
Technical Staff - L. Mortimer
Hydrographic Data Centre
Head - A.R. Rogers
Technical Staff - D. Robertson
Field Inspection Unit
Head - A.R. Rogers
Shore Property Studies
Head - W.S. Haras
Technical Staff - G. L. Boyd, D. Canning, K. Weaver
Ships & Launches
Head - A. Quirk
Engineering Superintendent - A.T. Hughes
Chief of Operations - W.S. Corkum
Boatshop Foreman - K.D. Robertson