Sweepstakes

Sweepstakes

The SWEEPSTAKES, a schooner, was built in 1867 in Wellington Square, Ontario. The vessel was constructed by J. Simpson using wood as the primary material. It had a single deck and was initially owned by William Bunten and John Waldie from Burlington, Ontario.

With two masts, the SWEEPSTAKES was a two-masted schooner. It had a hull that measured 119 feet in length, 22.8 feet in beam, and 10.1 feet in depth. The vessel had a gross tonnage of 218, indicating its carrying capacity.

Over the course of its history, the SWEEPSTAKES was involved in several noteworthy incidents. On October 23, 1868, it ran aground with a cargo of wheat at Point Frederick Shoal in Lake Ontario. The vessel was eventually refloated, but this incident likely required repairs and caused a delay in its operations.

Ownership of the SWEEPSTAKES changed hands over the years. In 1875, it came under the ownership of Bunten et al from Burlington, Ontario. By August 25, 1880, John Waldie and E.E. Thomas became the owners. However, on October 30, 1880, the SWEEPSTAKES collided with the schooner GAZELLE near Oswego, New York, in Lake Ontario. The collision likely resulted in damage to both vessels and necessitated repairs.

On March 22, 1881, John Waldie of Burlington became the sole owner of the SWEEPSTAKES. The vessel later passed into the ownership of George Steward from Mooretown, Ontario, on October 15, 1883. Tragedy struck the SWEEPSTAKES again on August 30, 1885, when it ran ashore at Cove Island in Georgian Bay.

The final chapter of the SWEEPSTAKES’ history unfolded in June 1896. Due to old age and deteriorating condition, the vessel sank in Tobermory Harbor, Big Tub Bay, located in Georgian Bay, Ontario. At the time of its sinking, the SWEEPSTAKES was carrying a cargo of coal.

Rules to Shore Dive by #

• Pick up after yourselves and others if need be
• Take only pictures, memories, and trash off the bottom
• Many shore dive sites are busiest on weekends so plan ahead
• Remember you’re the ambassador for the sport when approached by onlookers and locals. Paying attention and being polite can lead to other opportunities and locations.
• Have fun and lots of it after all that’s why you are there just like underwater beware of others around you for both positive and negative experiences
• If you’re the guy with the camera, video, or go pro, take a minute to show those outside your group what’s underneath.