Camp Sinks Historic Canoes to Protect Them From Wildfire

A wilderness camp near Ely used an unusual method to protect its historic canoe collection from possible wildfire damage.

Staff members at Y-M-C-A Camp Widjiwagan deliberately submerged 19 traditional wood-and-canvas canoes in the shallow waters of Burntside Lake.

The canoes were filled with water, weighted down with boulders, loosely tied together and secured to shore. Camp leaders say the preservation method comes from Northwoods tradition, although staff had never needed to use it before.

Some of the canoes are approximately a century old, and several were built by renowned Ely canoe maker Joe Seliga. Other boats were transported to safer locations before the camp was evacuated.

Staff members hope to recover and restore the underwater fleet after the wildfire danger passes.