IDENTIFICATION & SITE INFORMATION #
VESSEL TYPE DESCRIPTION #
The Sweepstakes was a two-masted schooner built in 1867 by J. Simpson in Wellington Square, Ontario. Designed primarily for cargo transport, the schooner was constructed from wood and measured 120 feet in length with a beam of 22.8 feet and a depth of 10.1 feet. The vessel had a gross tonnage of 218, indicative of its carrying capacity for goods such as coal, grain, and other bulk commodities. With its two masts and single deck, the Sweepstakes was a typical example of mid-19th-century Great Lakes schooners that were integral to the region’s maritime trade.
HISTORY #
The Sweepstakes had a storied history marked by several incidents and changes in ownership. Originally owned by William Bunten and John Waldie from Burlington, Ontario, the schooner ran aground on October 23, 1868, at Point Frederick Shoal in Lake Ontario while carrying a cargo of wheat. This incident likely required repairs and delayed the vessel’s operations.
Over the years, the Sweepstakes changed hands multiple times. By 1875, it was owned by Bunten et al. from Burlington, Ontario, and later by John Waldie and E.E. Thomas by 1880. On October 30, 1880, the schooner collided with another vessel, the Gazelle, near Oswego, New York, resulting in damage that necessitated further repairs.
Ownership eventually consolidated under John Waldie of Burlington on March 22, 1881, before passing to George Steward from Mooretown, Ontario, on October 15, 1883. The schooner faced another significant incident on August 30, 1885, when it ran ashore at Cove Island in Georgian Bay. Despite these challenges, the Sweepstakes continued to operate until the final years of its service.
FINAL DISPOSITION #
The Sweepstakes met its final fate in June 1896 when it sank in Tobermory Harbor, Big Tub Bay, located in Georgian Bay, Ontario. At the time of its sinking, the schooner was carrying a cargo of coal. The vessel had deteriorated significantly due to age and previous damage, leading to its ultimate demise. The wreck now rests at a shallow depth of 20 feet, making it easily accessible to divers and snorkelers.
LOCATED BY & DATE #
The wreck of the Sweepstakes is well known and has been a popular dive site for many years. The exact date of its rediscovery is not documented, but it has been a notable attraction within Big Tub Harbour for decades.
NOTMARs & ADVISORIES #
Given its shallow depth of 20 feet, the Sweepstakes wreck is ideal for divers of all skill levels. However, visitors should exercise caution to avoid damaging the site, as the wreck is a protected cultural resource.
RESOURCES & LINKS #
- David Swayze Shipwreck File: http://www.baillod.com/shipwreck/swayze/
- Labbie Collection: https://greatlakeships.org/2907793/data?grd=4085
- Maritime History of the Great Lakes: http://www.maritimehistoryofthegreatlakes.ca/
- Great Lakes Ships: https://greatlakeships.org/
CONCLUSION #
The Sweepstakes schooner served the Great Lakes maritime trade for nearly three decades, enduring multiple accidents and ownership changes. Its final resting place in Tobermory’s Big Tub Harbour has transformed it into a significant historical site and a beloved destination for underwater exploration.
KEYWORDS #
Sweepstakes, Schooner, Big Tub Harbour, Lake Huron, Georgian Bay, Shipwreck Diving, Great Lakes Maritime History, Tobermory
