Home > Introduction and History > History of the CHS > Central & Arctic
The History of the CHS Central & Arctic Region
1982-1983
1982 – Highlights
The Bayfield Laboratory for Marine Sciences is located at the Canada Centre for Inland Waters in Burlington, Ontario. As the Regional Office for Ocean Science and Surveys, Department of Fisheries and Oceans, the Bayfield Lab conducts field surveys and scientific studies in hydrography and oceanography. In addition, the Lab operates and maintains a fleet of ships, launches and small craft which support the projects of the Bayfield Lab, the National Water Research Institute (Department of the Environment), and the Great Lakes Fisheries Research Branch.
The hydrographic activities of the Bayfield Laboratory range from detailed bathymetric surveys to the production of nautical charts and equipment development.
Much of the success of the hydrographic and oceanographic programs at the Bayfield Lab is due to the excellent support received from Ship Division throughout the field season.
Once again this year, the Bayfield Lab was prominent in supporting the government’s Public Awareness Program. Noteworthy among the Lab’s efforts was its participation in the Toronto International Boat Show, where CHS displayed a history of Toronto Harbour Charts from 1940 to the present and a set of experimental recreational-environmental maps.
The Canada Centre for Inland Waters hosted an Open House from April 22 to 25.
After a summer of surveying in Lake Superior, the U.S. National Ocean Survey ship PEIRCE paid a visit to the Bayfield Lab on her return voyage to her home base in Norfolk, Virginia. PEIRCE was open to tours for the staff of CCIW during her stay and, in turn, the officers and crew were given a walking tour of the facilities.
Field Hydrography
For the Arctic Survey, CHS completed a reconnaissance survey of Prince of Wales Strait during the 1982 season. The survey operated from a base camp located at Johnson Point on the west side of the strait and collected 12,877 spot soundings. These soundings were collected on a one-kilometre grid from helicopters equipped with EDO 9040 echo sounders interfaced with 12 kHz ram-actuated spike transducers. Four field sheets were produced at a scale of 1:75,000. The Polar Continental Shelf Project of DEMR provided program support including 103 hours of Twin Otter aircraft time and 1,200 hours of survey helicopter time. The survey operated in conjunction with the Gravity Division of the Earth Physics Branch of DEMR. During this survey, 287 gravity readings were collected to complete a six-kilometre grid of the area. The hydrographic survey confirmed the results of earlier hydrographic work and indicated there is a suitable navigation route between the Beaufort Sea and Viscount Melville Sound.
CESAR Sounder – a contract was let with Ross Laboratories to develop a deep-water sounder for through-the-ice application in the Arctic. The sounders will initially be used on the Canadian Expedition to survey the Alpha Ridge (CESAR), and will be used in future years on regular Arctic surveys. A prototype was tested in the Arctic during April and successfully recorded depths of 3000 metres. Modifications to the initial design were implemented before the 1983 field season to improve heating, stylus and motor drives, cables and transducers.
In Hudson Bay, a standard hydrographic survey of the approaches to Akulivik was carried out with the support of CCGS SIR WILLIAM ALEXANDER as an operating base. The ship and two survey launches produced 3322 kilometres of sounding and 390 shoal examinations. The southern approach to Akulivik was surveyed at 1:50,000; other areas, including anchorage areas at Babs Bay and Knight Harbour, were surveyed at 1:10,000. The northern approach to Akulivik was surveyed in sufficient detail to show that it is not navigable by ships. The survey utilized Mini-Ranger III for position and Ross 200A Fineline sounders for depth. NavBox was used for linekeeping. Helicopter support was provided for the duration, but the helicopter crew was billeted ashore due to lack of shipboard accommodation. The results of the survey indicate a good navigation channel from Hudson Bay to Akulivik with a minimum depth of 12.9 metres at the mouth of Akulivik Bay. In addition, Babs Bay and Knight Harbour provide well-protected anchorage areas with minimum depths of 14.8 and 20.7 metres respectively.
The southern Lake Huron survey party, based in Goderich, collected hydrography along the coastal area from Point Clark to Kettle Point. Data were collected on 7730 kilometres of soundings and 89 shoal examinations, in the area from shore to the outer chart limits. The survey was automated, using NavBox for data acquisition and linekeeping, and bubble memory loggers to record position and depth.
1982 was the third year of a four-year program to resurvey areas of the North Channel. Some charts in the North Channel are based on 1894 leadline surveys. In 1982, Lake George and the area from Hilton Beach to Richards Landing were completed. Lake George was surveyed at a scale of 1:20,000, and other areas at 1:10,000. 2888 kilometres of soundings were collected and 1662 shoals were examined.
The 1982 St. Lawrence River survey was based at the Ministry of Transport Coast Guard facilities in Prescott. The area was surveyed at scales of 1:10,000, 1:5,000 and 1:1,000 to complete a detailed picture of USA and Canadian waters between Brockville Narrows and the Johnstown International Bridge. Soundings were collected on 2239 kilometres of survey lines and 633 shoals were examined. An automated range/bearing logging and processing system was successfully implemented during the season. Two new 6.9-metre Grew launches were used on the survey and come highly recommended by the Hydrographer-in-Charge.
The Aerial Hydrography project continued its field trials at Stokes Bay in northern Lake Huron. The Fixed-Based Simultaneous Photobathymetry System was tested and preliminary results indicate that the system can meet CHS accuracy standards in water less than 4 metres deep. The Laser Bathymeter experiments were designed to provide information regarding the optimum combination of laser power, polarization and aperture settings, and to evaluate the design of a scanning laser bathymeter.
On the 1982 Revisory Survey, chart revisions included the S. Lawrence River, Georgian Bay, North Channel, Detroit River and St. Clair River charts. Special projects ranged from large-scale surveys of slip 4A at Thunder Bay, to the examination of reported shoals.
A number of special surveys were carried out in 1982. In Lake Erie, the Ministry of Transport requested a side scan sonar search for a sunken barge. The barge, which went down late in 1981, was not located, but the search confirmed that shipping lanes were free of obstructions. The Department of Environment requested a reconnaissance survey of the upper Niagara River. The Hamilton Harbour Commission requested a survey of pier 13, the Dofasco wharf. At the request of the Mariners Memorial Park Museum in South Bay, a side scan sonar search was conducted in the waters around Main and False Duck Islands in Lake Ontario to locate and position shipwrecks for the museum and determine the least depths of hazards to navigation. The dredged area off Bob’s Point near Parry Sound was surveyed at the request of the Marine Casualty Investigation Board of the Ministry of Transport, after there was a grounding in the area.
A detailed hydrographic survey of Lake Nipissing entered its fourth season in 1982, where work was carried out in the French River, Little French River, Five Mile Bay and the west arm of the Lake. Many of the dangerous shoals in the area were identified and marked with buoys from a helicopter prior to the sounding operations. 1594 kilometres were sounded and 6358 shoals and rocks were examined. In order to show the narrow, complicated channels in the west end of the lake, a new chart scheme was developed.
In the second year of a three-year project, Marinav Corporation of Ottawa carried out a contract survey of Lake Manitoba. The survey is on schedule and the north end was completed this year.
At the request of Parks Canada, the region had a small sweep and sounding operation on the Rideau Canal from August to October. Thirty-six sections of the canal covering 31.5 kilometres were sweep to a depth of 1.68 metres. A few areas could not be swept because of dense weed growth.
Ships and Launches
In June, CCGS SIR WILLIAM ALEXANDER was assigned to the Hydrography Division for surveying in Hudson Bay. As a result, three launches, NAUTILUS, NIMBUS and a 7-metre Monark were outfitted in Burlington and transported by land to Dartmouth, Nova Scotia for loading aboard CCGS SIR WILLIAM ALEXANDER. Apart from some minor problems with the newly repowered launches, the survey operated successfully until the ship departed Hudson Bay on September 25.
In addition to the regular fleet maintenance, the boatshop out-fitted four new launches and repowered NAUTILUS and NIMBUS with more efficient engines. Later in the year, La Petite Barge was modified for sweep sounding on the Rideau River. At year’s end, two Nelson 34 launches, NAVIGATOR and NIOBE, were delivered and will be put into service during the 1983 field season.
Chart Production
Output from the 1982 Chart Production Unit included 3 New Charts, 10 New Editions and 2 chart patches.
The following special projects took place during the year: a co-operative study with National Ocean Survey regarding common chart schemes on the International Sections of the St. Lawrence and St. Mary Rivers; a study on the positioning of floating aids; the implementation of the International Association of Lighthouse Authorities “B” buoyage system; the display for the Toronto International Boat Show; and the Open House Display for the Bayfield Laboratory. In addition, the Region hosted the fifth meeting of the Chart Production Committee and the annual meeting of the Great Lakes Charting Advisors.
CHS Central Region Staff
Regional Hydrographer - G.R. Douglas
Asst. Regional Hydrographer - E. Brown
Hydrographers-in-Charge - B.M. Wright, E.F. Thompson, R.A. Marshall, J. H. Wilson, M. Crutchlow, P. V. Davies, K. Hipkin, R. MacDougall, A. P. Welmers
Hydrographers - R. J. Mahaffy, R.A. Covey, P. Elliott, B. Eidsforth, J. G. Dixon, G. K. Thompson, J. J. Biggar, A. J. Koudys, J. H. Weller, G. P. Fenn, J. Medendorp, M. J. Casey, C. V. Gorski, R. A. Langford, B. R. Power, K. W. Daechsel, D. G. Pugh, R. K. Beri, R. Treciokas, M. L. Powell, M. P. Bennett, R.C. Robitaille, D. Chase, B. Richards, S. Hinds.
Chart Production
Chief - A. B. Thorson
Navigational Information Officer - J. Elliott
Cartographic Checker - M. Frederick
Cartographic Supervisor - B. Little
Reprographics - D. MacKenzie
Cartographers/multi-disciplinary Hydrographers - C.R. Fisher, M. A. Lloyd, B. R. Beale, R. P. Warren, D. Pigeon, S. Chander, A. P. Gris, A. M. Bonnici, H. C. Nepomuceno, S. G. Bockmaster, H. Fuchs-Trapp, A. Evans
Hydrographic Development Group
Head - G. Macdonald
Technical Staff - B. Tinney, N. Prince, P. Millette
Oceanographic Division
Chief - N. G. Freeman
Survey Electronics
Technical Staff - H.J. Boyce, T. Dyas, G. Kavanagh, W. Montgomery, D. Pyatt, M. Szucs, B. Waldock. D. Tobio, R. Cutillo
Program Support
Head - E. O. Lewis
Data Processing
Head - C. Doekes
Technical Staff - J. Anning, D. Sosnoski
Tides and Water Levels Section
Head - D.A. St. Jacques
Technical Staff - R.R. Solvason, R. Sandilands
Tidal Instrument Development and Engineering Support
Head - B. F. White
Technical Staff - J.H. Thurm, R.B. Johns, M. Donegan
Marine Information Centre
Technical Staff - L. Mortimer
Hydrographic Data Centre
Technical Staff - D. Robertson
Field Inspection Unit
Head - R. Marshall
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
1983 – Highlights
A display tracing the history of nautical charting in Canada was presented by Central Region staff of the Canadian Hydrographic Service at the 1983 Toronto International Boat Show – an event used by the Hon. Pierre De Bane, Minister of Fisheries and Oceans, to launch the CHS Centennial celebrations. The exhibit featured a 10-metre replica of a wooden survey boat used by pioneer Canadian hydrographer Henry Wolsley Bayfield whose pre-confederation surveys laid the foundation of the hydrographic service. At the show opening, the Minister presented a copy of Bayfield’s first Toronto Harbour chart to Harbourmaster Captain John Mann. The Minister then said: “I am pleased to be able to inaugurate the 100th anniversary of an organization whose men and women have played such an instrumental role in the evolution of our country. What better place could there be for this presentation than the opening of this important winter event?”
An important development of this Region was the decision to contract out to private industry, the production of nautical charts. A great deal of work was put into preparing suitable specifications which eventually resulted in contracts being let with Terra Surveys Limited of Ottawa for the production of 6 charts and with Intercontinental Maps and Charts of Toronto, for 2 charts. A senior cartographer was named as Scientific Authority for these two contracts which have completion dates of March 1984.
The thrust for the Personnel group centered on the development of an integrated human resources database. A computer terminal was acquired and work is underway to implement a comprehensive information base to be used in the planning process. Data is stored in the CHS computer at the Bayfield Laboratory.
Field Hydrography
The 1983 Polar Continental Shelf Project survey of the Arctic Ocean, north of Ellesmere Island, operated out of a standard parcoll camp located on sea ice about 5 km off Cape Woods. The survey collected 903 spot soundings and gravity observations at varying densities. The Mini-Ranger controlled work was at a 5 km grid while the area covered by Decca was done at a 10 km x 20 km spacing. In addition, a separate helicopter manned by a hydrographer operated out of the CESAR (Canadian Expedition to Study the Alpha Ridge) camp and obtained 360 spot soundings and gravity observations on 10 km (Alpha Ridge Corridor) and 20 km (Reconnaissance area) grids using Omega (Global Navigation System) for positioning. The program received considerable support of DEMR and again the survey operated in conjunction with the Gravity Division of Earth Physics Branch of DEMR. Hydrographers collected gravity observations at the location of each spot depth measurement. The main support received from PCSP was 966 hours of helicopter time, 120 hours on a Hawker Siddley 748 freighter aircraft and 119 hours on a Twin Otter as well as all fuel consumed. The helicopters were not outfitted with ram transducers because of the deep water in the survey area so soundings were collected using the manual method of directly interfacing the sounder transducer with the ice surface. One field sheet at a scale of 1:500,000 was produced to cover the area. The density of the spot soundings on the offshore area (10 km to 20 km) made contouring difficult but it was possible to delineate the margins of the continental shelf and the Alpha Ridge.
The Eskimo Harbour and Approach Corridor was carried out from CCGS SIR WILLIAM ALEXANDER. The cooperation from DOT personnel was excellent and the ship made a very good base of operations as well as a good sounding vessel. The survey used the newly purchased Sercel Syledis system for positioning in the corridor and Mini-Ranger III in conjunction with NavBoxes for positioning in Eskimo Harbour. A combination of Ross Fineline, Ross portable and Raytheon DE719 echo sounders were used to collect soundings in the Harbour and Corridor areas. Sounding was carried out from two 10 metre Nelson launches NIMBUS and NAUTILUS, one Botved launch HORNET, and the SIR WILLIAM ALEXANDER. A total of 6674 kilometres was sounded and 446 shoals were examined during 53 operational days in the area. The Corridor (110 km x 10 km), which was surveyed at a scale of 1:50,000, stretched from northwest of Split Island, eastward to the north of Radar Island, and then southeast to Clair Point at the entrance of Eskimo Harbour (12 km x 5.5 km) was surveyed at a scale of 1:10,000. An advance survey party spent two and a half weeks establishing horizontal and vertical control in the area prior to the arrival of the ship, using a Bell 206B helicopter which remained for the duration of the survey.
A contract for the collection of bathymetry in Viscount Melville Sound was awarded to Terra Surveys of Ottawa. Two field sheets were completed and submitted to the Region. The survey consisted of through-the-ice sounding using helicopters based at Rea Point and was undertaken from February to March.
The three-year hydrographic survey of Lake Manitoba was successfully completed by Marinav Canada in early September. Seven field sheets, along with a mass of supporting documents, were handed over and accepted by the Region in November. These field sheets are now in Ottawa for compilation of 2 charts covering the Lake.
The St. Lawrence River survey operated from bases at the DOT marine wharf, Prescott, and the Seaway Authority base at Iroquois lock. The survey included both USA and Canadian river waters, extending from the Johnstown International Bridge downstream to below the Iroquois lock. The river and seaway area was surveyed at a 1:5,000 scale. The 1:10,000 plans were surveyed of the Canada Starch wharf at Cardinal, and the Iroquois lock complex. The survey collected 2016 km of sounding and examined 1357 shoals. In addition, five range lines were surveyed and sounded, and 37 fixed aids were positioned and described. This survey data will augment a base of updated survey material extending down-river from Kingston.
The harbours of Whitby, Oshawa, Port Hope and Cobourg were surveyed in 1983. The survey base was located in each harbour for about five weeks, the time required to do a detailed survey of each harbour at a scale of 1:1,000, and collect hydrography in the approaches at 1:2,500. A total of 1,067 km of soundings was collected and 627 shoals were examined. Horizontal control traverses covered 147 km, and 31 stations were permanently marked. The shoreline was controlled by traverse side-shots totaling 3231 positions.
The Revisory Survey worked areas as far north as Detroit River, as far north as the Ottawa River, eastward to Valleyfield, PQ and westward to Georgian Bay. The survey revised the Hamilton Harbour chart and seven charts on the Trent-Severn Waterway from Trenton to Lake Simcoe, as well as carrying out projects on fifteen other charts. These projects included examining shoals, positioning lights, and updating Sailing Directions.
The multi-year survey of Lake Nipissing was completed in June. The entire lake from Callander Bay to the western extremity of the West Arm, including the French River east of the Chaudiere Dam has now been surveyed to modern standards. The area covered in 1983 was along very narrow and shallow channels near Monetville and west of Maskinonge Island. 500 km of soundings was obtained and 400 shoals were positioned by launch and helicopter.
In July, the Lake Nipissing moved to Little Current on Manitoulin Island to resurvey parts of the North Channel, which had previously been sounded in the 1880’s. Areas were east and west of Little Current, with priority given to a gap between Clapperton Island and the western approaches to Little Current. The survey was carried out at a scale of 1:10,000 and 4510 km of soundings were logged on a bubble cartridge and processed on a PDP 11/23 computer. In addition, 540 shoals were examined and 440 rocks were positioned. Horizontal control was carried out to facilitate the contract production of shoreline plots. From this information, Northway-Gestalt of Toronto compiled the shoreline for seven field sheets.
This was the fourth year of the project to resurvey North Channel leadline surveys. The area, surveyed at a scale of 1:5,000, included the St. Joseph Channel from Shoal Islands to Lake George and the Munuscong Channel of the St. Mary’s River. 2765 km of soundings was recorded and 4163 shoals examined.
Following the success of the 1982 sweep survey, Parks Canada requested additional work in the Rideau River. During a 4-week period, 18 sections of the canal covering 16 kms were swept to a depth of 1.68 metres.
At the request of Transport Canada, a section of Georgian Bay, seaward of Pointe au Baril was surveyed to find an alternative small craft route from Pointe au Baril to Hangdog Channel. A possible route was found which would allow small craft to avoid using the twisting narrow channel of Nares Inlet.
Ships and Launches
Ship Division this year managed, operated and maintained a fleet consisting of 3 ships, 34 large launches and 70 smaller craft for Hydrographic and scientific programs of the Region.
CSS ADVENT supported a wide variety of scientific and hydrographic programs in Lakes Ontario, Erie and Huron. A highlight was a 2-week cruise in Georgian Bay, completing Loran-C calibrations required before publication of the Loran-C chart 2201.
CCGS SIR WILLIAM ALEXANDER was assigned to the Hudson Bay hydrographic program. Ship’s Division supplied 2 Nelson launches NAUTILUS and NIMBUS and one Botved. These launches were trailered to Dartmouth by road and had a very productive season with no lost time.
The Boatshop had a very busy and productive year. Reports from the field indicated that very little survey time was lost due to engine or other mechanical failures on the launches, which had been re-fitted during the off season.
A contract for a new series of 7 metre launches was issued in May to Hourston Glascraft of North Vancouver. Two launches were delivered in September and 2 more followed in October. After comprehensive trials locally, the 4 launches were outfitted with fully automatic hydrographic data-logging and navigation instruments, including bubble-memory recorders. These launches are now ready for production surveys in the 1984 season. To make way for the new launches several old Bertrams were assigned to Crown Assets.
Chart Production
In the continuing effort to increase productivity, Chart Production initiated a number of changes in 1983 of which the most significant was the formation of a “New Chart Unit” on July 1.
The re-scheming and re-formatting of the Region’s charts continued. Approval in principle was given to the Lake Winnipeg scheme and to insets of Nanticoke Harbour and Lakehead Harbour. Work is continuing to develop suitable schemes for the St. Mary’s River and the North Channel in Lake Huron.
Production output included 17 New Editions, 14 patches and 21 New Charts were in production.
CHS Central Region Staff
A/Regional Hydrographer - E. Brown
A/Asst. Regional Hydrographer - B. Wright
Hydrographers-in-Charge - E.F. Thompson, J. H. Wilson, M. Crutchlow, P. V. Davies, K. Hipkin, R. MacDougall, A. P. Welmers, J. Medendorp, R. Mahaffy
Hydrographers - R.A. Covey, P. Elliott, B. Eidsforth, J. G. Dixon, G. K. Thompson, J. J. Biggar, A. J. Koudys, J. H. Weller, G. P. Fenn, R. A. Langford, B. R. Power, K. W. Daechsel, D. G. Pugh, R. K. Beri, R. Treciokas, M. L. Powell, M. P. Bennett, R.C. Robitaille, D. Chase, B. Richards, S. Hinds.
Chart Production
Chief - A. B. Thorson
Navigational Information Officer - J. Elliott
Cartographic Checker - M. Frederick
Cartographic Supervisor - B. Little, P. Warren
Reprographics - D. MacKenzie
Cartographers/multi-disciplinary Hydrographers - C.R. Fisher, M. A. Lloyd, B. R. Beale, D. Pigeon, S. Chander, A. P. Gris, A. M. Bonnici, H. C. Nepomuceno, S. G. Bockmaster, H. Fuchs-Trapp, A. Evans, C. Gorski, S. Pelletier, J. Lamont
Hydrographic Development Group
Head - G. Macdonald
Technical Staff - B. Tinney, N. Prince, P. Millette, K. Weaver
Engineering and Technical Support
Chief - E. O. Lewis
Special Projects - W. Haras
Remote Sensing - G.L. Boyd
Survey Electronics
Technical Staff - H.J. Boyce, T. Dyas, G. Kavanagh, W. Montgomery, D. Pyatt, M. Szucs, B. Waldock. D. Tobio, R. Cutillo
Tides and Water Levels Section
Head - D.A. St. Jacques
Technical Staff - R.R. Solvason, R. Sandilands
Tidal Instrument Development and Engineering Support
Head - B. F. White
Technical Staff - J.H. Thurm, R.B. Johns, M. Donegan
Marine Information Centre
Technical Staff - L. Mortimer
Hydrographic Data Centre
Technical Staff - D. Robertson
Field Inspection Unit
Head - E.F. Thompson
Ships & Launches
Head - R. Marshall
Engineering Superintendent - A.T. Hughes
Chief of Operations - W.S. Corkum
Boatshop Foreman - K.D. Robertson