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.
Full Wreck Record — complete historical article, construction details, voyage logs, incident reports, dive conditions, and all research sources.
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