Canadian park rangers have uncovered a shipwreck that dates back over 200 years, located in a region notorious for maritime tragedies. This ship is believed to be the Swift, which sank on September 27, 1812.
During its journey from Bermuda to Newfoundland, the Swift went down along with the Royal Navy frigate Barbados and the schooner Emmeline.
This significant find and the research surrounding it spanned two years and was officially announced by Parks Canada last month. The initial report was made in February 2024 when a team member noticed a pulley marked with Royal Navy insignia.
Another member later found a copper shell fragment in Portsmouth, embellished with Broad Arrow and Admiralty stamps and dated January 1810, hinting that this could be a piece from the Barbados. Historical records suggest that the ship was refitted in Portsmouth in 1810.
Despite the challenges posed by the site’s sandy terrain, more pulleys and copper sheathing were uncovered, leading to the identification of a sloop-sized wreck made from Bermuda cedar. While artifacts appear to relate to Barbados, the wreck itself aligns more closely with the Swift.
Initially, only three pieces of wood were visible above the sand, indicating that this shipwreck might belong to the Swift. Sable Island has earned the nickname “graveyard of the Atlantic,” according to a Parks Canada representative.
Since 1583, there have been over 350 recorded shipwrecks in the area, but many remnants can’t be directly associated with specific incidents without distinctive markers.
A spokesperson mentioned, “Sometimes you need luck.” They also noted that excavating on Sable Island is tricky due to its harsh weather conditions and unique geographic features.
Officials collaborated with Mi’kmaw archaeological technicians, using various methods tailored to Sable Island’s shifting sands to excavate and document the wreck.
They employed sandbags to stabilize the site and hand tools to protect the wreck from damage. Once documented, the wreck was carefully covered again with sand to ensure its protection.
What stood out the most to archaeologists was the shipwreck’s remarkable size. Generally, artifacts found on Sable Island are small and scattered, but this wreck was unusually intact.
The spokesperson expressed excitement about the possibility of confirming this shipwreck, noting that, if verified, it could be one of the rare instances linking a physical shipwreck on Sable Island to documented historical wrecks prior to the 20th century. However, many uncertainties remain, such as how the ship ended up on the island and the duration of the crew’s stay there while waiting for rescue.
This discovery follows another find made last spring when a message in a bottle, surfacing on the shores of Sable Island, was dated back to 1983 and still carried the scent of gin.
