Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: Sterling
- Type: Two-masted wooden schooner
- Year Built: Circa 1850
- Builder: George Stinks, Port Burwell, Ontario
- Dimensions: 54 ft (16.46 m) length × 7 ft (2.13 m) beam × 7 ft (2.13 m) depth
- Registered Tonnage: Approx. 49 tons (burden)
- Location: Shoreline near Port Burwell
- Coordinates: Unknown
- Official Number: Unknown / none recorded
- Original Owners: Unknown
- Number of Masts: Two
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
Vessel Type
The *Sterling* was a small, coastal two-masted schooner constructed of wood. Its dimensions indicate a modest hull, designed for light loads and short coastal or inter-lake runs.
Description
Description
The *Sterling* was constructed of wood, measuring 54 ft in length, 7 ft in beam, and 7 ft in depth. The rigging likely followed common schooner patterns of the mid-19th century, with fore and main masts, and possibly a small auxiliary sail plan for maneuvering alongshore. Given its size and registry, it would have traded between local ports, transporting goods such as lumber, agricultural produce, hardware, or general merchandise.
History
History
The *Sterling* was built circa 1850 by George Stinks at Port Burwell, Ontario. Registered locally, she likely plied regional routes along Lake Erie or connecting lakes, servicing nearby ports and communities. On her final voyage in 1856, she encountered a sudden storm or strong wind event, causing her to drift and eventually be stranded along a shoreline near Port Burwell.
Significant Incidents
Significant Incidents
- 1856: The *Sterling* was reported as ‘ashore and wrecked’ due to weather-driven stranding.
Final Disposition
Final Disposition
The *Sterling* was reported as stranded rather than sunk in deep water. Elements such as wave battering, seasonal ice, and decay would have degraded her structural integrity over time. There is no record of formal salvage or recovery efforts.
Current Condition & Accessibility
Current Condition & Accessibility
No formal discovery or archaeological survey has been documented for the *Sterling*. If remains exist, they are likely in a shallow nearshore zone or on land, thus not presenting a major navigational hazard. Access may be possible from the local shoreline near Port Burwell.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”sterling-1850″ title=”References & Links”]
Closing Summary
The *Sterling* remains a part of the maritime history of the Great Lakes, with limited documentation and no known remains currently accessible for exploration. Further research may uncover more about her fate and the circumstances surrounding her loss.
Full Wreck Record — complete historical article, construction details, voyage logs, incident reports, dive conditions, and all research sources.
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