DAVID W MILLS U115242

2 min read

Steamer
200ft 65m Lengths
30ft 10m depths
Ford Shoal, Lake Ontario
N 43.26.630 W 76.35.089

The Sparta, also known as David W. Mills, was a wooden-hulled bulk freighter built in 1874 at Cleveland, Ohio. It had a length of 202.3 feet, a beam of 34 feet, and a depth of 18.5 feet. The vessel had a gross tonnage of 1017.19 and featured two decks. It was powered by a screw propulsion system, with a 485 horsepower engine and a single propeller.

Throughout its history, the Sparta was owned by various companies and individuals, including the Cleveland Transportation Company, Orient Transportation Company, Mills Transportation Company, N. Mills, and the Border Steamship Corporation. It was primarily involved in the transportation of lumber and coal in the Great Lakes region.

On August 11, 1919, the Sparta, under the name David W. Mills, encountered a tragic incident. The vessel collided with Ford Shoal, located off Oswego, New York, in Lake Ontario. The collision occurred due to poor visibility caused by forest fires in Canada and inclement late summer weather. Despite the efforts of Captain Langan to free the ship, it was ultimately torn apart by the force of the collision. This marked the end of the Sparta’s 45-year career.

Today, the wreck of the Sparta rests in approximately 12 to 25 feet of water near Ford Shoal. It provides an excellent diving opportunity for divers of all skill levels. The largest intact section of the wreck is the bottom of the ship, which stretches for about 180 feet. Exploring the wreck allows divers to appreciate the size and scale of the Sparta, which had the capacity to carry over one million board-feet of lumber.

For reference, the GPS coordinates for the wreck of the David W. Mills are N 43.26.630, W 76.35.089.

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