Parks Canada finds 1812 shipwreck believed to be the Swift at Sable Island

Key Points:

• Canadian park rangers have uncovered a 200-year-old shipwreck on Sable Island, believed to be the Swift, a civilian vessel that sank in 1812 alongside the British Royal Navy frigate HMS Barbadoes and the schooner Emeline.
• The discovery, announced in early 2024 after a two-year investigation, included artifacts such as a pulley wheel with Royal Navy markings and copper sheathing stamped from a 1810 Portsmouth refit, linking the wreck to the Barbadoes and Swift.
• Excavation was challenging due to Sable Island's loose sand and harsh weather, requiring specialized techniques and collaboration with Mi’kmaw archaeological technicians and both underwater and terrestrial archaeologists.
• The wreck is notable for its relative completeness and condition compared to typical small fragments found on Sable Island, which has recorded over 350 shipwrecks since 1583 and is known as the "graveyard of the Atlantic."
• Researchers are still investigating how the shipwreck ended up far inland from the current shoreline, as the island's shifting sands and movement over time complicate understanding of the wreck's history and crew experience.