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.
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
Description
The *Sterling* was a small, coastal two‑masted schooner constructed of wood. Its dimensions (54 × 7 × 7 ft) indicate a modest hull, designed for light loads and short coastal or inter‑lake runs. The rigging likely followed common schooner patterns of the mid‑19th century, with fore and main masts, and perhaps 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
The *Sterling* was built circa 1850 by George Stinks at Port Burwell, Ontario. She was registered locally out of Port Burwell (no national or official number found). Over her career she would have plied regional routes, likely along Lake Erie or connecting lakes, servicing nearby ports and communities. Her small size suggests limited cargo capacity and a role in short‑haul coastal trade. On her final voyage in 1856, *Sterling* departed Port Burwell (or a nearby port). During transit she encountered a sudden storm or strong wind event, causing her to drift and eventually be stranded (“ashore and wrecked”) along a shoreline near Port Burwell (or possibly misreported near Lake Ontario). Contemporary records are vague, and there is no documented narrative of the crew, cargo, or rescue efforts.Final Dispositions
The cause of loss is understood to be weather‑driven stranding (storm / drifting ashore). The vessel was reported as “ashore and wrecked.” Because she was 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, recovery efforts, nor any published follow‑up in newspapers or official maritime records.Located By & Date Found
No formal discovery or archaeological survey has ever been documented for *Sterling*. No underwater imaging, diving logs, or side‑scan sonar explorations have recorded a wreck matching her profile in the Port Burwell area.Notmars & Advisories
None noted. The wreck, if still present, would likely be in shallow nearshore zone or on land / beach, thus not presenting a major navigational hazard.Dive Information
Access: Shore access likely if remains are near beach Entry Point: Local shoreline near Port Burwell (if remains exist) Conditions: Variable visibility; wave action and seasonal ice likely degrade remains Depth Range: Shallow or exposed (if stranded above water) Emergency Contacts: Nearest Coast Guard or marine rescue units on Lake Erie / local municipal services Permits: Local / provincial permits may be required for diving or artifact recovery Dive Support: None known; local dive shops / charters in Port Burwell / Norfolk County might assist for logistical supportCrew & Casualty Memorials
No crew names or casualty lists have been documented. No memorials or listings (e.g. in local cemeteries or maritime memorials) are associated with *Sterling*. When unknown, local cemetery records (Port Burwell, Bayham Township) or death registers might be cross‑checked, but no matches have surfaced.Documented Statements & Extracts
“Reported ashore and wrecked, out of Port Burwell, 1856.”*(from Goderich / municipal shipwreck listing)*
“The Archives of Ontario holds a card catalogue and microfilm reels for many 19th‑century Ontario newspapers; newspaper holdings include masthead titles and film series (prefix ‘N’).”*(from Archives of Ontario Holding Guide) :contentReference[oaicite:0]{index=0}*
Registry, Enrollment & Insurance Trails
No official number or national registry entry has been located. *Sterling* does not appear in the accessible portions of the Canadian “Register of Wrecks & Casualties, Inland Waters” (C‑3 series) for 1856. Insurance claim records, if they exist, have not been identified. The lack of formal registry suggests she may have been considered a minor local vessel.Site Documentation & Imaging
No known site documentation (e.g. 3D models, side‑scan, NOAA VR) is available for *Sterling*. Without a confirmed wreck location or diver survey, no underwater photography or mapping exists in published records.Image Gallery
Resources & Links
- Great Lakes Vessels Database (BGSU / HCGL)
- Maritime History of the Great Lakes
- Chronicling America (Library of Congress)
- Newspapers.com
- Find A Grave
- Ontario Parks (for Port Burwell region)
References
- Municipal / hometown shipwreck listing, Town of Goderich (Port Burwell listing)
- Archives of Ontario, *Original and Microfilmed Newspaper Collections* (L23 finding aid) :contentReference[oaicite:1]{index=1}