Ericsson (1892)

The Ericsson was a 3 masted ship enroute north from San Francisco to Nanaimo. Off Cape Flattery it met with heavy weather and drifted into Barkley Sound where it was stranded on November 19, 1892.

The remains of the 76 meter wood vessel lie scattered across the sea floor covering an area roughly 92 meters by 36 meters. The bow, identified by the remains of a capstan, rests in six meters of water while the rudder, marking the stern, sits in approximately 27.5 meters of water.

The remains of the Ericsson are of particular national and international significance as the only surviving evidence of a caloric ship ever built. This shipwreck provides valuable insight into one of the more fascinating inventions of the mid-nineteenth century – the caloric engine, originally powered by hot air rather than conventional steam, designed by famous Swedish-American mechanical engineer John Ericsson.

Note: British Columbia’s heritage Conservation Act automatically protects all heritage wrecks, including the remains of all wrecked vessels and aircraft once two or more years have passed since the date of loss. It is illegal to damage, alter or remove a heritage object from a heritage wreck except under a permit issued by the Archaeology Branch.