1. IDENTIFICATION & SITE INFORMATION #
2. VESSEL TYPE DESCRIPTION #
The ROBERT BRUCE was a majestic wooden schooner, constructed in 1854 by the shipbuilder Leveaya in Buffalo, New York. Designed to withstand the harsh conditions of the Great Lakes, the schooner was 135 feet long, with a beam of 26 feet and a depth of 11 feet, making it a sizable vessel for its time. With a tonnage of 325 tons, the ROBERT BRUCE was well-suited for transporting cargo across the lakes. It later underwent a transformation, being rebuilt as the schooner HARRIET ANN with a reduced tonnage of 30 tons.
3. HISTORY #
The ROBERT BRUCE was launched in 1854 and quickly became a workhorse on the Great Lakes, ferrying cargoes such as wheat and beef between major ports. Owned by E.K. Bruce of Buffalo, New York, and others, the schooner regularly sailed the trade routes between Buffalo and Chicago, navigating the vast and often perilous waters of Lake Erie. The schooner’s final voyage began like many others, but it ended in tragedy as it succumbed to the forces of nature in December 1856.
4. FINAL DISPOSITION #
In December 1856, the ROBERT BRUCE faced a violent storm while en route to Chicago with a valuable cargo of wheat and beef. The storm drove the schooner onto a reef near the Sand Hills close to Port Burwell, Ontario. The vessel broke apart, leading to its total loss beneath the unforgiving waters of Lake Erie. Fortunately, there were no reports of loss of life, but the financial impact was severe, with the schooner’s underwriters facing a loss of $27,000. The cargo, too, was lost to the lake’s depths.
5. NOTMARs & ADVISORIES #
No Notices to Mariners (NOTMARs) or advisories are currently in effect for the wreck of the ROBERT BRUCE. The exact location of the wreck remains unconfirmed.
6. LOCATED BY & DATE #
The exact wreck site of the ROBERT BRUCE has not been documented, and there is no record of its discovery by divers or historians.
7. CURRENT CONDITION & ACCESSIBILITY #
The current condition of the ROBERT BRUCE is unknown, as the wreck has not been located. If discovered, the wreck may be in a deteriorated state due to the wooden construction and the passage of time since its loss in 1856.
8. RESOURCES & LINKS #
- Maritime History of the Great Lakes: Website
- David Swayze Shipwreck File: Website
- Great Lakes Ships: Website
9. ADDITIONAL NOTES #
The ROBERT BRUCE’s story is a poignant example of the dangers faced by 19th-century sailors on the Great Lakes. Despite the schooner’s loss, its legacy continued through its reconstruction as the HARRIET ANN. The transformation of the ROBERT BRUCE into a new vessel represents the resilience of the maritime community during this era, where even in the face of loss, the spirit of adventure and commerce persisted.
10. DIVING NOTES & RECOMMENDATIONS #
Given that the wreck of the ROBERT BRUCE has not been located, there are no specific diving recommendations at this time. If the wreck is ever discovered, it will likely require careful exploration due to its age and the potential fragility of the remaining structures. Divers should always prioritize the preservation of historical wrecks and proceed with caution.
TAGS #
- Lake Erie
- 19th Century
- Schooner
- Port Burwell
- Maritime History
CONCLUSION #
The tale of the schooner ROBERT BRUCE is a somber reminder of the unpredictable and often perilous nature of life on the Great Lakes. Its loss in a fierce December storm highlights the vulnerability of even the most robust vessels to the forces of nature. The reconstruction of the ROBERT BRUCE as the HARRIET ANN is a testament to the perseverance of the maritime industry during this period. Though the schooner is lost to the waters of Lake Erie, its story endures, reflecting the courage and determination of those who sailed these vast inland seas.
