Sinkholes found in wharf parking lot

What was once a sinking ship has sprung a leak. The Sidney Smith Wharf and parking lot at the end of Harbour Road was closed until further notice after two sinkholes were discovered Oct. 3.

What was once a sinking ship has sprung a leak.

The Sidney Smith Wharf and parking lot at the end of Harbour Road was closed until further notice after two sinkholes were discovered Oct. 3.

The holes, about two metres across and on the west end of the wharf lot, appeared when gravel being spread disappeared within them, said Sutheat Tim, Sarnia’s director of legal and property services.

“Two small sinkholes may be part of a bigger problem,” he said.

ASI Group has been contracted to investigate.

The wharf was constructed from the salvaged hull of the Sidney E. Smith, which sank in the St. Clair River on June 5, 1972.

The steamship collided with the Parker Evans near the Blue Water Bridge and sank in less than 20 minutes.

Dozens of crew were saved when Capt. Robert Campbell rushed to scene in the Point Edward pilot boat.

The outline of the Smith’s hull can still be seen in the shape of the wharf, which forms part of Sarnia Harbour.