The Sweepstakes – A Time Capsule Beneath the Waves
Nestled just below the surface of Lake Huron’s crystal-clear waters lies one of the most iconic and remarkably preserved 19th-century shipwrecks in the Great Lakes — the Sweepstakes. This two-masted wooden schooner, built in 1867 in Burlington, Ontario, now rests peacefully in Big Tub Harbour, near Tobermory, Ontario, within the Fathom Five National Marine Park. Over the decades, it has become not only a diver’s favorite but also a poignant underwater museum, offering a rare window into maritime history.
What makes the Sweepstakes especially captivating is its exceptional state of preservation. Unlike many wooden wrecks that deteriorate rapidly in saltwater environments, the frigid, fresh waters of Lake Huron have acted as a natural preservative. The lake’s consistently cold temperatures and minimal biological activity have protected the ship's structure, keeping the hull, windlass, and many deck features remarkably intact even after more than a century underwater.
The schooner lies upright in approximately 6.1 meters (20 feet) of water, making it incredibly accessible to divers of all levels. It's a perfect site for Open Water and recreational divers, with plenty to see without the need for deep diving certifications. Thanks to the lake’s famous visibility — often reaching 15 to 30 meters (50 to 100 feet) on a clear day — the wreck is visible even from the surface. On sunny days, snorkelers and kayakers can peer down through the sparkling water and catch a glimpse of the ship’s skeletal remains, glowing softly beneath the sunlight.
Divers descending onto the wreck are immediately struck by the haunting beauty of the ship’s remains. The windlass, located at the bow, remains in place — a silent testament to the vessel's former working life. Along the starboard side, sections of railing are still clearly visible, as if the crew had only just left. Fish dart in and out of the open hull, and the play of light on the timbers adds an eerie but magical atmosphere to the site.
It’s worth noting that while the waters appear invitingly clear, they are rarely warm. Even in the peak of summer, temperatures at depth can be brisk, so a proper exposure suit — ideally a 5mm or 7mm wetsuit or even a drysuit for longer dives — is strongly recommended. Despite the chill, divers find the experience deeply rewarding; the cold is a small price to pay for such a close encounter with history.
The Sweepstakes isn’t just a dive — it’s a journey back in time, a rare opportunity to experience 19th-century Great Lakes maritime heritage up close. Whether you're a diver, a snorkeler, or simply a history enthusiast, this wreck has a quiet, timeless presence that leaves a lasting impression.
A Brief but Eventful History of the Sweepstakes
The story of the Sweepstakes begins in 1867 — a year of significance in Canadian history, as it marked the country’s Confederation. Built in Burlington, Ontario, the Sweepstakes was a wooden schooner typical of its time: sturdy, functional, and built to serve the booming maritime trade across the Great Lakes. Measuring approximately 36 meters (119 feet) in length, the vessel was part of a busy fleet transporting goods like coal, lumber, and grain across these vital inland waterways, which acted as economic arteries for both Canada and the United States in the 19th century.
For nearly two decades, the Sweepstakes plied the waters of the Great Lakes, enduring harsh weather, unpredictable currents, and the daily wear and tear of cargo hauling. Like many schooners of the era, it operated under sail power and relied heavily on the skill of its crew to navigate the often treacherous conditions of the lakes, particularly in fog, storms, or along rocky shorelines.
Tragically, the Sweepstakes met its end in August of 1885 when it struck a submerged rock near Cove Island, a known hazard in the area north of Tobermory. The collision left the vessel severely damaged, taking on water and unable to continue under its own power. In an effort to save the ship, the tugboat Jessie was dispatched and managed to tow the crippled schooner to nearby Big Tub Harbour — a sheltered bay at the tip of the Bruce Peninsula.
There, hopes were high for repairs. Big Tub Harbour was a natural choice for refuge; it was deep, calm, and already an established stopping point for ships traveling through the Upper Lakes. However, once in the harbor, it became clear that the damage to the Sweepstakes was too extensive. The hull was beyond repair, and the effort to save her was ultimately abandoned.
By September 1885, the Sweepstakes slipped beneath the surface and came to rest in the very place where it lies today. Though its career as a working vessel was over, the story didn’t end there. Not long after it sank, salvagers returned to retrieve the valuable cargo it had been carrying — a shipment of coal, essential for powering steamships and industry at the time. The coal was successfully recovered, but the wreck itself was left behind, slowly becoming part of the lake’s underwater landscape.
Interestingly, the sinking of the Sweepstakes wasn’t a dramatic shipwreck scene with waves crashing and lives lost — instead, it was a quiet, almost anticlimactic end to a vessel that had served faithfully for nearly 20 years. But its peaceful descent into the harbor turned out to be a gift to history. Unlike many wrecks that are scattered or broken apart by storm or salvage, the Sweepstakes sank intact and upright, preserved by the cold, fresh waters of Lake Huron.
Today, it remains a rare and almost pristine example of 19th-century Great Lakes shipbuilding — a sort of time capsule resting beneath the waves. The wreck is now protected as part of Fathom Five National Marine Park, Canada’s first national marine park, and serves as a popular dive site and a vital link to the region’s maritime past.