Remnants of possible 19th century schooner shipwreck wash up in Erieau [Video]

Remnants of a shipwreck that could possibly date back to the mid-19th century have washed ashore in Erieau, Chatham-Kent following a recent storm near the Lake Erie community.

Former Erieau harbourmaster Jeff Vidler hopes to salvage and preserve the large section of the vessel, believing it to be from a wooden schooner that was likely built in the 1850’s.

“It’s 35 feet in length, about 15 feet wide. It’s a side of a hull of a schooner, a cargo laden schooner,” Vidler explained. “Whether it’s port or starboard is hard to say. But, it’s a piece.”

Vidler said the experts he’s spoken with say the discovery is significant, and suggest the ship was originally about 270 feet in length.

He said after seeing the sizeable fragment, he knew something had to be done.

“I’d like to get carbon dating done on it if I can find somebody that could do …