Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: David Sharp
- Type: Wooden two-masted schooner
- Year Built: circa 1867
- Builder:
- Dimensions: Length X ft (Y m); Beam; Depth of hold
- Registered Tonnage:
- Location: Lake Erie, approximately 20 miles upstream (west) of the Grand River near Port Burwell, Ontario
- Original Owners: Kingsville, Ontario
- Number of Masts: Two
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
Type: Wooden two-masted schooner, built circa 1867
Home Port: Kingsville, Ontario
Cargo: Loaded with railroad ties, bound for Buffalo
Description
The David Sharp was a wooden two-masted schooner that met its fate during a fierce gale on September 8, 1878. The vessel became waterlogged and capsized, leaving only about 2 feet of her hull above water.
History
The David Sharp was carrying railroad ties when it encountered a severe storm on Lake Erie. Aboard were the captain, his wife, their 17-month-old child, and four crewmen. They survived an 11-hour ordeal clinging to the upturned hull before being rescued by the schooner Dundee.
Significant Incidents
- September 8, 1878: The David Sharp capsized during a storm on Lake Erie, approximately 20 miles upstream of the Grand River near Port Burwell, Ontario.
- The crew survived by clinging to the exposed side of the upturned hull for nearly 11 hours.
- Rescue was conducted by the schooner Dundee, which found the captain’s wife and child in a severely weakened state.
Final Disposition
After the rescue, the capsized hull likely sank or grounded soon after. It may still lie in shallow waters near the incident site, possibly buried under sediment. No formal identification of the wreck site has been recorded by NOAA or other maritime heritage agencies.
Current Condition & Accessibility
The wreck site remains unconfirmed, suggesting potential for discovery. The hull may be partially buried under sediment in shallow Lake Erie waters.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”david-sharp-1867″ title=”References & Links”]
The David Sharp exemplifies the endurance and bravery of its crew during a storm, highlighting the domestic roles of schooners in the late 19th century and presenting opportunities for further research and exploration.
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 & Build
- Type: Wooden two-masted schooner, built circa 1867
- Home Port: Kingsville, Ontario
- Cargo: Loaded with railroad ties, bound for Buffalo
Final Voyage & Loss – September 8, 1878
- Location: Lake Erie, approximately 20 miles upstream (west) of the Grand River near Port Burwell, Ontario
- Incident: During a fierce gale, the David Sharp became waterlogged and capsized, leaving only about 2 ft of her hull above water (Marsh Collection).
- Crew: Aboard were the captain, his wife, their 17-month-old child, and four crewmen
- Survival: They clung to the exposed side of the upturned hull for nearly 11 hours, enduring waves washing over them for about 7 hours (Marsh Collection). Rescue came from the schooner Dundee, which plucked them from their precarious position. The wife and child were found in a severely weakened state (Marsh Collection).
Wreck Site & Condition
- The capsized hull likely sank or grounded soon after the rescue. It may still lie in shallow Lake Erie waters near the incident site, partly buried under sediment.
- No formal identification of the wreck site has been recorded by NOAA or other maritime heritage agencies, suggesting potential for discovery.
Historical & Archaeological Significance
- Illustrates remarkable crew endurance and bravery during storms—surviving nearly half a day on the overturned hull (Marsh Collection).
- Carries historical insights into schooner construction (likely centerboard design) and coastal navigation during the late 19th century (NOAA Institutional Repository).
- The presence of the captain’s family aboard further emphasizes both the domestic and commercial roles schooners played at the time.
Research & Survey Opportunities
| Objective | Recommended Action |
|---|---|
| Newspaper & Station Logs | Review Amherstburg Echo, Port Dover and nearby US newspapers (Sept 1878) for more detailed accounts and weather reports |
| Registry & Crew Records | Seek enrollments (circa 1867) under “David Sharp” to obtain tonnage, specifications, and home-port data |
| Wreck Site Survey | Use historical charts to approximate the 20-mile west-of-Grand-River location for side-scan sonar/magnetometer surveys to locate the hull |
| 3D Modeling & Dive Survey | If located, conduct ROV/diver documentation to capture structural remains and centerboard engineering features |
Summary
- Name: David Sharp
- Built: c. 1867, wooden schooner
- Lost: Sept 8, 1878 – capsized during Lake Erie storm while carrying railroad ties
- Passengers: Captain’s wife and 17-month-old child aboard—survived after 11-hour ordeal on overturned hull
- Rescue: Schooner Dundee
- Casualties: None
- Significance: Exemplifies storm survival, domestic passengers aboard schooners, and eastern Lake Erie wreck research opportunity