Erie Stewart Anchor Creating an Entrance at New Southampton Roundabout
The Town of Saugeen Shores is pleased to announce that the Erie Stewart historic ship’s anchor will soon be installed as the centrepiece of the new roundabout at the intersection of Highway 21 and Bruce Road 13 (Turner Street) in Southampton.
The anchor, recovered from the wreck of the Erie Stewart by divers in the summer of 1957, will serve as a gateway feature welcoming residents and visitors to Southampton while celebrating the community’s rich marine heritage.
“Southampton’s history is closely tied to Lake Huron, and this anchor is a meaningful way to honour that connection,” said Mayor Luke Charbonneau. “It’s fitting that, as people enter the community, they will be welcomed by a symbol of the marine heritage that is such an important part of Southampton’s identity.”
The Erie Stewart was a two-masted schooner that wrecked during a storm off Southampton in 1907 after it was unable to navigate into Southampton’s historic Harbour of Refuge. The vessel struck the Island Dock while trying to enter the harbour, damaging both the dock and range light. While the crew made it to safety, the remnants of the vessel lay near the harbour’s entrance, becoming part of the area’s maritime story.
The anchor is being refurbished and relocated from downtown Southampton to the roundabout with support from the Marine Heritage Society. Refurbishment has included sandblasting and recoating, as well as replacement of the deteriorating wooden cross. It will be installed securely on a concrete pad at the centre of the roundabout.
The installation will be the final touch on the new roundabout, a project undertaken to improve safety, reduce congestion, and enhance traffic flow. The roundabout replaces the former 2-way stop intersection and includes upgrades to underground water infrastructure in the surrounding area.
The roundabout project was part of the Engineering Division’s Road Reconstruction Capital Highlight in the Town of Saugeen Shores 2026 Business Plan (pg. 63). Funding for this infrastructure project was secured through the Ministry of Transportation’s (MTO) Connecting Link Program.
