Shipwreck Report: Schooner Sweden (1870–1877)

Identification & Vessel Information

• Name: Sweden
• Year Built: 1870
• Official Number: 72582
• Vessel Type: Three-masted Schooner, topsail-rigged
• Construction Site: Garden Island, Ontario
• Builder: Henry Roney, a prominent shipbuilder on Garden Island
• Original Owner: Calvin & Breck, influential shipowners and merchants based on Garden Island

Specifications

• Hull Material: Wood
• Number of Decks: 1
• Length: 138.3 feet (42.1 m)
• Beam: 25.9 feet (7.9 m)
• Depth: 11.9 feet (3.6 m)
• Gross Tonnage: 383.59 tons (after rebuilding in 1877, revised to 353.88 gross tons)
• Power: Wind-powered with three masts

Operational History

Purpose: The Sweden was built as a cargo Schooner, primarily serving timber and other bulk freight routes on the Great Lakes. Owned by Calvin & Breck, the Schooner was part of a fleet supporting the growing timber trade between Ontario and U.S. ports.

Trade Routes: Frequently transported oak timber, a valuable commodity, between Toledo, Ohio, and Garden Island, Ontario. Operated across Lake Erie, Lake Ontario, and connecting waterways.

Final Voyage and Disposition

• Date of Loss: October 8, 1877
• Location: Near Port Stanley, Ontario, Lake Erie
• Cargo: Oak timber
• Cause of Loss: While en route from Toledo, Ohio, to Garden Island, Ontario, the Schooner sprang a leak in stormy conditions. Unable to stay afloat, the crew attempted to run the ship ashore near Port Stanley  Despite this effort, the vessel was wrecked and declared a Total Loss.
• Crew Rescue: The crew of the Sweden was rescued by the Schooner St. Andrew, though one or more lives were lost during the incident.

Significance

The Sweden serves as a historical example of the challenges faced by wooden schooners on the Great Lakes during the late 19th century. It highlights:  The importance of the timber trade and the reliance on schooners to transport bulk goods efficiently.  The risks of leaks and Hull failure, especially for heavily laden vessels in adverse weather.  The reliance on nearby vessels, such as the St. Andrew, for rescue operations, as organized coastguard systems had not yet been fully developed.

Historical Context

• 1. Garden Island Shipbuilding:  The Schooner was built on Garden Island, Ontario, which was renowned for its thriving Shipyards, particularly those operated by Calvin & Breck  The island’s shipbuilding industry supported the booming timber and shipping trades in the region.
• 2. Role in Timber Trade: Vessels like the Sweden transported timber from Ontario to U.S. ports such as Toledo, Ohio, feeding the demand for building materials in the growing cities of the Midwest.
• 3. Research Opportunities The wreck of the Sweden near Port Stanley remains a potential site for divers and archaeologists, though its condition is unknown due to its age and the dynamic underwater environment of Lake Erie.
• 4.  Historical Records:  Archives such as Library and Archives Canada and the Huron County Museum in Ontario may contain additional details about the vessel’s ownership and loss.

•Sources for Further Research

• Save Ontario Shipwrecks (SOS):  Dive and wreck reports for Lake Erie shipwrecks, particularly near Port Stanley.Save Ontario Shipwrecks
• Local Archives and Historical Societies: The Port Stanley Historical Society may have records or recollections of the Schooner Sweden. Contact: Port Stanley History
• Newspaper Archives:Reports from the Toronto Globe, Detroit Free Press, and Buffalo Commercial Advertiser may offer detailed coverage of the wreck.
• Wikipedia contributors. (2023, December 4). Garden Island (Ontario). In Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Retrieved 13:34, January 24, 2025, from https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Garden_Island_(Ontario)&oldid=1188324974
• Maritime History of the Great Lakes may provide transcriptions of newspaper accounts and casualty lists related to the Sweden.