Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: Stanley Clipper
- Type: Fishing Vessel
- Year Built: 1938
- Builder:
- Dimensions: Approx. 30 tons; specific length and beam unrecorded
- Registered Tonnage: 30 tons
- Depth at Wreck Site: 6 m / 20 ft
- Location: Long Point Bay, Lake Erie
- Coordinates: Approx. 42° 36′ 56″ N, 80° 09′ 54″ W
- Official Number: Not located in records
- Original Owners: Local commercial fishing vessel
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
Wooden fishing boat, approximately 30-ton capacity, purpose-built for Great Lakes fisheries.
Description
The Stanley Clipper was a mid-20th century wooden fishing vessel maintained in good mechanical condition and typically kept at anchor in Long Point Bay. Her modest size and gear made her a common sight among local fisher folk until pulled into a catastrophic storm.
History
Operating since 1938, the vessel regularly fished in Lake Erie’s productive eastern sector. On April 30, 1984, a sudden full gale—classified locally as the most powerful storm to strike the area—swept through Long Point Bay. Southwest winds exceeded 60 knots (30.9 m/s), immediately overwhelming anchored boats. The Stanley Clipper capsized swiftly and sank between 14:15 and 14:30 Eastern Daylight Time. Tragically, all three crewmen perished. (publications.gc.ca, history.uscg.mil)
Significant Incidents
- April 30, 1984: Caught in a full gale with SW winds to 60 knots, capsized and sank at anchor.
- All three crew members lost during the incident.
Final Disposition
The vessel lies inverted in approximately 6–15 m (20–50 ft) of water, settled in deeper sections of Long Point Bay. Although not yet officially documented as a dive or wreck site, debris and hull fragments are likely scattered near the coordinates.
Current Condition & Accessibility
No formal dive survey or published archaeological site information exists, though fishermen’s anecdotal reports indicate debris in the bay since 1984.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”stanley-clipper-1938″ title=”References & Links” show_ref_button=”yes”]
The loss of the Stanley Clipper is a stark reminder of how quickly weather can turn deadly on the Great Lakes—even in shallow bays. This vessel’s sinking serves as a cautionary tale to modern-day divers and fishermen: never underestimate the potential ferocity of spring squalls. While no organized dive has been reported to date, its location and conditions suggest potential for both historical investigation and conservation challenges.
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.
Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: Stanley Clipper
- Official Number(s): Not located in records
- Date Built and Launched: 1938
- Dimensions: Approx. 30 tons; specific length and beam unrecorded
- Date Lost: April 30, 1984
- Place of Loss: Long Point Bay, Lake Erie (~42° 36′ 56″ N 80° 09′ 54″ W) (publications.gc.ca)
- Cause of Loss: Caught in a full gale with SW winds to 60 knots, capsized and sank at anchor
- Cargo: Fishing gear; actively fishing at time of loss
- Crew: 3 (all lost)
- Ownership: Local commercial fishing vessel
Vessel Type
Wooden fishing boat, approximately 30-ton capacity, purpose-built for Great Lakes fisheries.
Description
The Stanley Clipper was a mid‑20th century wooden fishing vessel maintained in good mechanical condition and typically kept at anchor in Long Point Bay. Her modest size and gear made her a common sight among local fisher folk until pulled into a catastrophic storm.
History
Operating since 1938, the vessel regularly fished in Lake Erie’s productive eastern sector. On April 30, 1984, a sudden full gale—classified locally as the most powerful storm to strike the area—swept through Long Point Bay. Southwest winds exceeded 60 knots (30.9 m/s), immediately overwhelming anchored boats. The Stanley Clipper capsized swiftly and sank between 14:15 and 14:30 Eastern Daylight Time. Tragically, all three crewmen perished. (publications.gc.ca, history.uscg.mil)
Final Disposition
The vessel lies inverted in approximately 6–15 m (20–50 ft) of water, settled in deeper sections of Long Point Bay. Although not yet officially documented as a dive or wreck site, debris and hull fragments are likely scattered near the coordinates.
Located By & Date Found
No formal dive survey or published archaeological site information exists, though fishermen’s anecdotal reports indicate debris in the bay since 1984.
Notmars & Advisories
- No navigational markers indicate the wreck.
- Given the shallow water and night-time sinking, caution is advised.
- Long Point Bay is known for sudden, severe storms—divers must pay attention to NOAA weather alerts and local forecasts.
Resources & Links
- Wave Hindcast Study on April 30, 1984 Storm (Canadian government)—details wind speeds, timeline, and precise sinking location (publications.gc.ca)
Conclusion
The loss of the Stanley Clipper is a stark reminder of how quickly weather can turn deadly on the Great Lakes—even in shallow bays. This vessel’s sinking serves as a cautionary tale to modern-day divers and fishermen: never underestimate the potential ferocity of spring squalls. While no organized dive has been reported to date, its location and conditions suggest potential for both historical investigation and conservation challenges.
Keywords: Stanley Clipper, Long Point Bay, 1984 storm, Lake Erie shipwreck
Categories: Shipwrecks of Lake Erie • Late 20th Century Fishing Vessel Losses
Glossary Terms:
- Gale Force Winds: Wind between 34 and 47 knots (17.2–24.2 m/s).
- Inversion Capsize: When a vessel flips completely upside down.
- Wave Hindcast: Post-event analysis reconstructing storm conditions using wind and wave data.