Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: Sweden
- Type: Three-masted schooner, topsail-rigged
- Year Built: 1870
- Builder: Henry Roney
- Dimensions: 138.3 ft (42.1 m); Beam: 25.9 ft (7.9 m); Depth of hold: 11.9 ft (3.6 m)
- Registered Tonnage: 383.59 tons (revised to 353.88 gross tons after rebuilding in 1877)
- Location: Near Port Stanley, Ontario
- Official Number: 72582
- Original Owners: Calvin & Breck
- Number of Masts: 3
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
The Sweden is classified as a three-masted schooner, topsail-rigged, designed primarily for cargo transport.
Description
Constructed in 1870 on Garden Island, Ontario, the Sweden was built from wood and featured a single deck. It was primarily used for transporting timber and other bulk freight across the Great Lakes.
History
The Sweden was owned by Calvin & Breck, who were influential shipowners in the region. The vessel played a significant role in the timber trade, frequently transporting oak timber between Toledo, Ohio, and Garden Island, Ontario.
Significant Incidents
- Date of Loss: October 8, 1877
- Location: Near Port Stanley, Ontario, Lake Erie
- Cargo: Oak timber
- Cause of Loss: The schooner sprang a leak in stormy conditions while en route from Toledo to Garden Island. Despite efforts to run the ship ashore, it was wrecked and declared a total loss.
- Crew Rescue: The crew was rescued by the schooner St. Andrew, although one or more lives were lost during the incident.
Final Disposition
The Sweden was declared a total loss following its wreck near Port Stanley. The incident highlights the risks faced by wooden vessels in adverse weather conditions.
Current Condition & Accessibility
The condition of the wreck is unknown due to its age and the dynamic underwater environment of Lake Erie. It remains a potential site for divers and archaeologists.
Resources & Links
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The wreck of the Sweden serves as a historical reminder of the challenges faced by wooden schooners in the late 19th century and the importance of the timber trade in the Great Lakes region.
Full Wreck Record — complete historical article, construction details, voyage logs, incident reports, dive conditions, and all research sources.
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