Identification & Site Information:

• Name: Sparta (also known as David W. Mills)
• Type: Wooden-Hulled Bulk Freighter
• Build Date: 1874
• Builder: Cleveland, Ohio
• Dimensions: Length: 202.3 feet (61.6 meters) Beam: 34 feet (10.4 meters) Depth: 18.5 feet (5.6 meters)
• Tonnage: Gross Tonnage of 1017.19
• Location: Ford Shoal, Lake Ontario, near Oswego, New York
• Coordinates: N 43° 26.630’ / W 76° 35.089’
• Final Depth: 12–25 feet (3.6–7.6 meters)

Vessel Description:

The Sparta, initially christened the David W. Mills, was a wooden-hulled bulk freighter designed for Great Lakes trade. Powered by a Screw Propulsion system and a 485-horsepower engine, it was a workhorse for transporting lumber, coal, and other bulk cargo. Its design featured two decks and a single propeller, emphasizing functionality and capacity.

History:

Operational Timeline:

•1874: Built in Cleveland, Ohio, and launched for service in the Great Lakes.

Overview of Vessel Owners: Sparta/David W. Mills

The Sparta (originally known as the David W. Mills) had a long service life under various owners, reflecting the dynamic nature of shipping operations in the Great Lakes region during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Each ownership period contributed to the vessel’s rich history as a bulk freighter.

1. Orient Transportation Company

• •Role: Likely one of the early operators of the David W. Mills.
• •Primary Business: The Orient Transportation Company was involved in transporting bulk cargo such as coal, grain, and lumber, which were staples of Great Lakes trade at the time.
• •Time Period: Although specific dates of ownership are unclear, the vessel’s service under this company coincided with the late 19th century when demand for efficient freight transportation surged.

2. Mills Transportation Company

• •Connection: This company may have been directly linked to N. Mills, a key figure in the vessel’s ownership history. It likely served as a dedicated fleet operator specializing in transporting lumber and other bulk materials.
• Operation Details The David W. Mills served as a workhorse for the Mills Transportation Company, contributing to the growth of trade along the Great Lakes.
• Its capacity to carry over one million board-feet of lumber made it a valuable asset for lumber and building material distribution during this era.

3. N. Mills

• Background: N. Mills was an individual owner, possibly a prominent figure in the shipping or lumber industries.
• Ownership Role: As the owner of the vessel, N. Mills likely managed it for personal or small-scale commercial operations, particularly focusing on bulk transportation of materials like coal and timber.
• Ownership during this period highlights the importance of individual operators in the highly competitive shipping markets of the Great Lakes.

4. Border Steamship Corporation

• Later Ownership: The Border Steamship Corporation represents the last corporate owner of the David W. Mills before its sinking in 1919.
• Business Operations: This company was involved in cross-border trade, likely transporting goods between the United States and Canada via the Great Lakes.
• The company’s use of the vessel underlines its adaptability and reliability as a freighter, even after decades of service.

Legacy of Ownership:

The varied ownership of the Sparta/David W. Mills demonstrates the evolving nature of maritime commerce on the Great Lakes. As industries grew and shipping demands shifted, the vessel served under multiple entities, each adapting its use to meet specific trade needs. From lumber and coal transportation to cross-border commerce, the ship’s storied history is a testament to the economic importance of the Great Lakes shipping industry.

Cargo: Primarily transported lumber and coal, with a capacity exceeding one million board-feet of lumber.

Final Voyage:

• Date: August 11, 1919
• Incident: While navigating Lake Ontario near Oswego, New York, the Sparta (then known as David W. Mills) struck Ford Shoal.
• Cause: Poor Visibility from Canadian Forest Fire Smoke and adverse weather.
• Outcome: Despite Captain Langan’s efforts to save the vessel, it was torn apart by the collision and declared a Total Loss.
• This marked the end of a 45-year career spanning Great Lakes commerce.

Current Condition & Dive Site:

Condition: The wreck is relatively shallow, resting at depths between 12 and 25 feet, making it suitable for divers of all experience levels.

Wreck Features:

The largest intact section is the bottom of the Hull, stretching approximately 180 feet (54.8 meters).

The wreck’s structural remnants highlight the scale of the freighter, including evidence of its robust design for heavy cargo transport.

Dive Experience:

• Visibility: Conditions are often favorable, though sediment and weather may impact clarity.
• Skill Level: Accessible to recreational divers due to its shallow depth and manageable conditions.

Notices & Advisories:

• Navigation Hazards: While the wreck lies near a known shoal, it is not marked as a significant navigational hazard for modern vessels.
• Diving Safety: Divers should use a Surface Marker Buoy (SMB) due to occasional small boat traffic in the area.

Historical Significance:

The Sparta represents an era of robust, wooden-hulled freighters that were integral to the Great Lakes’ economic development. Its transition from the David W. Mills to the Sparta, coupled with its storied ownership, underscores the dynamic history of Great Lakes shipping. The wreck serves as both a recreational dive site and a historical monument to 19th-century maritime trade.

Resources & Links:

• Merchant Vessel List, U.S. (1909, 1885): Detailed records of vessel specifications and ownership.
• Maritime History of the Great Lakes: maritimehistoryofthegreatlakes.ca
• Local Newspapers: Oswego Palladium: Reports from August–October 1919., Oswego Daily Times: Coverage of the incident and its aftermath.
• J.W. Hall Great Lakes Marine Scrapbook: Historical insights from October 1883.
• www.sonarguy.com Features a 3D model of portions of the Sparta

3D Model by www.sonarguy.com

David B. Mills by Capt. Tim Caza on Sketchfab

David B. Mills by Capt. Tim Caza on Sketchfab

Conclusion:

The Sparta, resting near Ford Shoal, offers a glimpse into the Great Lakes’ vibrant maritime past. Its accessible location and structural remains make it a favorite for divers and historians alike, preserving the legacy of a vessel that served as a cornerstone of 19th and early 20th-century trade.

Tags:

#SpartaWreck #DavidWMills #LakeOntarioShipwrecks #GreatLakesHistory #FordShoal #DivingLakeOntario