Archaeologists Identify 1812 Shipwreck on Sable Island as Bermuda Sloop Swift

Parks Canada archaeologists have identified shipwreck remains on Sable Island as the Swift, a Bermuda sloop lost during the War of 1812. The vessel was part of a British convoy carrying cargo and prisoners when it sank in a storm on September 27, 1812. Researchers discovered copper sheathing marked with Royal Navy symbols and Bermuda cedar timbers during fieldwork in 2024-2025. The wreck represents one of over 350 shipwrecks recorded on the island, known for its hazardous conditions. The team has documented and reburied the timbers for preservation while continuing to monitor the site.