Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: Champion
- Type: Wooden Schooner
- Year Built: Circa 1850s (Exact year unknown)
- Builder: Unknown
- Dimensions: Approximately 90 ft (27.4 m); Beam: Approximately 20 ft (6.1 m); Depth of hold: Approximately 8 ft (2.4 m)
- Registered Tonnage: Approximately 100 tons
- Location: Port Hope, Ontario, Canada
- Coordinates: Exact coordinates not documented
- Original Owners: Unknown
- Number of Masts: Two or more masts
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
The Champion was a typical mid-19th-century wooden schooner, designed for cargo transport across the Great Lakes. Schooners of this era were characterized by their fore-and-aft rigging and two or more masts, making them versatile and efficient for the variable conditions of the lakes. The Champion‘s size and build suggest it was used for transporting bulk goods such as lumber, coal, or grain.
Description
Specific details about the Champion‘s construction and early service are scarce. It operated primarily on Lake Ontario, engaging in the regional trade that was vital to the economic development of the surrounding areas during the mid to late 1800s. The schooner’s operations would have been integral to moving essential commodities between ports, contributing to the growth of communities along the lake’s shores.
History
In 1870, while near Port Hope, Ontario, the Champion encountered circumstances that led to its wrecking. The specific details of the incident are not well-documented, but the vessel was deemed a total loss. The remains of the Champion were later salvaged and reconstructed into a new schooner named Etta Belle in 1871. This practice of repurposing shipwrecks was common during the period, reflecting the resourcefulness of the maritime industry.
Significant Incidents
- Cause: Undocumented incident leading to wrecking near Port Hope
- Cargo Lost: Not specified
- Crew Status: Not documented
- Wreck Status: Salvaged and reconstructed into the Etta Belle
Final Disposition
There are no current Notices to Mariners or advisories related to the Champion‘s wreck site, as it was salvaged and no longer poses a navigational hazard.
Current Condition & Accessibility
The Champion‘s transformation into the Etta Belle exemplifies the 19th-century maritime practice of salvaging and repurposing shipwrecks to extend their service life. While specific details about the Champion are limited, its legacy continues through the story of the Etta Belle, offering insights into the resourcefulness and resilience of Great Lakes maritime operations during that era.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”champion-1850s” title=”References & Links”]
The Champion‘s transformation into the Etta Belle exemplifies the 19th-century maritime practice of salvaging and repurposing shipwrecks to extend their service life. While specific details about the Champion are limited, its legacy continues through the story of the Etta Belle, offering insights into the resourcefulness and resilience of Great Lakes maritime operations during that era.
Legacy Notes & Full Historical Record
This section preserves the original unedited Shotline content for this wreck so that no historical detail is lost as we transition to the new logbook format.
Identification & Site Information
- Name: Champion
- Other Names: None
- Vessel Type: Wooden Schooner
- Year of Build: Circa 1850s (Exact year unknown)
- Builder: Unknown
- Dimensions:
- Length: Approximately 90 feet (27.4 meters)
- Beam: Approximately 20 feet (6.1 meters)
- Depth: Approximately 8 feet (2.4 meters)
- Tonnage: Approximately 100 tons
- Construction: Wooden hull
- Owner: Unknown
- Location of Wreck: Port Hope, Ontario, Canada
- Depth of Wreck: Shallow waters near the shoreline
- Coordinates: Exact coordinates not documented
- Date of Wreck: 1870
Vessel Type Description
The Champion was a typical mid-19th-century wooden schooner, designed for cargo transport across the Great Lakes. Schooners of this era were characterized by their fore-and-aft rigging and two or more masts, making them versatile and efficient for the variable conditions of the lakes. The Champion‘s size and build suggest it was used for transporting bulk goods such as lumber, coal, or grain.
History
Specific details about the Champion‘s construction and early service are scarce. It operated primarily on Lake Ontario, engaging in the regional trade that was vital to the economic development of the surrounding areas during the mid to late 1800s. The schooner’s operations would have been integral to moving essential commodities between ports, contributing to the growth of communities along the lake’s shores.
Final Voyage
In 1870, while near Port Hope, Ontario, the Champion encountered circumstances that led to its wrecking. The specific details of the incident are not well-documented, but the vessel was deemed a total loss. The remains of the Champion were later salvaged and reconstructed into a new schooner named Etta Belle in 1871. This practice of repurposing shipwrecks was common during the period, reflecting the resourcefulness of the maritime industry.
Final Disposition
- Cause: Undocumented incident leading to wrecking near Port Hope
- Cargo Lost: Not specified
- Crew Status: Not documented
- Wreck Status: Salvaged and reconstructed into the Etta Belle
Located By & Date Found
- Discovered By: Not applicable (wreck was salvaged shortly after the incident)
- Date of Discovery: Not applicable
Notices to Mariners (NOTMARs) & Advisories
There are no current Notices to Mariners or advisories related to the Champion‘s wreck site, as it was salvaged and no longer poses a navigational hazard.
Resources & Links
- Maritime History of the Great Lakes: www.maritimehistoryofthegreatlakes.ca
- David Swayze Shipwreck File: www.shipwrecks.com/shipwrecks/swayze
- Great Lakes Ships Database: www.greatlakeships.org
Conclusion
The Champion‘s transformation into the Etta Belle exemplifies the 19th-century maritime practice of salvaging and repurposing shipwrecks to extend their service life. While specific details about the Champion are limited, its legacy continues through the story of the Etta Belle, offering insights into the resourcefulness and resilience of Great Lakes maritime operations during that era.
champion-1850s 1870-03-22 14:57:00