Trip Report · 15 Aug 2025
The Sweepstakes is a two-masted wooden schooner, built in 1867 in Burlington, Ontario, that now rests peacefully in Big Tub Harbour, near Tobermory, Ontario. It's one of the most photographed and accessible historic wrecks in the Great Lakes, and a firm favourite for divers who love a slice of maritime history with their dive.
The wreck's remarkable preservation comes down to Lake Huron's conditions. 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 more than a century after she went down.
The schooner sits in approximately 20 feet (6 metres) of water, making her accessible to recreational divers of most levels, and the lake often delivers exceptional visibility, often reaching 15 to 30 metres (50 to 100 feet) on a clear day.
Divers descending onto the wreck encounter plenty of historical detail. The windlass, located at the bow, remains in place, a silent testament to the vessel's former working life.
One word of warning: 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.
Built during Canadian Confederation, the ship was typical of its time: sturdy, functional, and built to serve the booming maritime trade across the Great Lakes.
The vessel operated for nearly two decades, transporting cargo like coal, lumber, and grain between busy lake ports.
Her working life came to an end in August 1885, when she struck a submerged rock near Cove Island. A tugboat towed her to Big Tub Harbour for attempted repairs, but it wasn't enough. By September 1885, the Sweepstakes slipped beneath the surface and came to rest in the very place where she lies today.
Salvagers recovered the cargo, but the wreck itself was left behind, slowly becoming part of the lake's underwater landscape. Today, it remains protected as part of Fathom Five National Marine Park, Canada's first national marine park, a fitting resting place for a piece of living history.