.jpg) The wreck of theSweepstakes inLake Huron | |
| History | |
|---|---|
 Canada | |
| Name | Sweepstakes |
| Builder | Melancthon Simpson |
| In service | 1867 |
| Fate | Sank at Big Tub Harbour in September 1885 |
| General characteristics[1] | |
| Type | schooner |
| Tonnage | 218 GRT |
| Length | 119 ft (36 m) |
| Beam | 23 ft (7.0 m) |
| Depth of hold | 10 ft (3.0 m) |
Sweepstakes (also known asSweeps) was a Canadianschooner built inBurlington, Ontario, in 1867. It was damaged off Cove Island, then towed toBig Tub Harbour in theGeorgian Bay ofLake Huron, where it sank in September 1885. The remains ofSweepstakes lie in Big Tub Harbour, in theFathom Five National Marine Park, inTobermory, Ontario.[2] The schooner is said to be one of the most popular of several wrecks in the park, and it is often visited by tour boat passengers, divers, and snorkelers.[3]
Sweepstakes was built inBurlington, Ontario, in 1867, by Melancthon Simpson. The two-masted woodenschooner's length was 36.3 metres (119 ft 1 in) and thehull's maximum depth was 7 m (23 ft 0 in). The schooner was measured at 218 GRT.[4]Sweepstakes was last owned by George Stewart, who lived inMooretown, Ontario.[5]
Damaged offCove Island in August 1885,Sweepstakes was then towed to the head ofBig Tub Harbour, in theFathom Five National Marine Park, inTobermory, Ontario, by thetugboatJessie. The schooner suffered serious damage and was not repaired in time, causing it to sink in September 1885.Sweepstakes was transportingcoal, and the coal was retrieved after the boat sank.[6]
Sweepstakes's wreck is considered well preserved as the hull remains intact.Sweepstakes is located approximately 46 metres (50 yd) from the head of Big Tub Harbour and remains in the water at a depth of 6.1 metres (20 ft). Thebow area of the boat contains thewindlass and portions of thestarboard railings remain undamaged.[6] Thestern name-board has been removed and currently is on display at the Bruce County Museum in Southampton.[7] In the middle of the schooner is the center-board box, with the centerboard inside. This extends fromkeel todeck. The aft-deck ofSweepstakes has collapsed, causing the stern-post to fall, where it now lies on the bottom of Big Tub Harbour. The Fathom Five National Marine Park has made repairs to the slowly deteriorating schooner to keep the deck from collapsing. AlthoughSweepstakes deteriorates a little more each year, it is said to be one of the best preserved 19th centuryGreat Lakes schooners that has been found and is considered one of the most popular shipwrecks in the Fathom Five National Marine Park.[6] Nearby is another popular visited shipwreck,City of Grand Rapids. The schooner gives a good depiction of what a typical Great Lakes schooner looked like.[7]
| Shipwrecks |
|
|---|---|
| Other incidents |
|
45°15′19″N81°40′50″W / 45.25528°N 81.68056°W /45.25528; -81.68056
