Identification & Site Information

• Vessel Name: Nimrod
• Vessel Type: Schooner
• Depth: 70 feet (23 meters)
• Length: 184 feet
• Location: Port Stanley, Lake Erie
• Coordinates: Approximately 10 miles offshore, east of Port Stanley
• Year Built: 1873
• Built At: Toledo, Ohio
• Hull Materials: Wood
• Builder: Bailey Brothers
• Original Owner: Not specified
• Dimensions:
  • Length: 172 feet
  • Beam (Width): 32 feet
  • Depth: 13 feet
  • Gross Tonnage: 559 tons
• Masts: 3
• Decks: 1
• Cargo: Wheat

Vessel Type Description

The Nimrod was a three-masted wooden Schooner built in 1873. With its robust construction and significant cargo capacity, it was well-suited for transporting goods across the Great Lakes. The Schooner featured a single Deck and was primarily used in the trade of bulk commodities such as wheat, which it was carrying on its final voyage.

History

The Nimrod had a brief yet notable career on the Great Lakes, serving as a critical vessel for the transportation of goods during the late 19th century. Below is a chronological overview of its operational history:

• 1873: The Nimrod was constructed in Toledo, Ohio, by Bailey Brothers, designed for the rigorous demands of Great Lakes trade. The Schooner was launched with high expectations, boasting a strong wooden Hull and a sizable cargo capacity.
• November 9, 1874: The Nimrod met its tragic end just over a year after its construction. While sailing approximately 10 miles offshore, east of Port Stanley in Lake Erie, the Schooner was involved in a fatal collision with another vessel, the Schooner Michigan. The impact of the collision was severe, leading to the sinking of the Nimrod.
• Rescue: Fortunately, the crew of the Nimrod was rescued by the Schooner Grantham, averting a greater tragedy despite the loss of the vessel.

Final Disposition

• Date of Loss: November 9, 1874
• Cause of Loss: Collision with the Schooner Michigan
• Crew: All crew members were rescued by the Schooner Grantham
• Final Cargo: Wheat
• Current Status: Wreck lies at a depth of 70 feet (23 meters) on the lakebed of Lake Erie, approximately 10 miles east of Port Stanley.

Tags

• Shipwreck
• Schooner
• Lake Erie
• Maritime History
• Great Lakes Shipwreck
• Nimrod
• 19th Century Vessel
• Collision

Conclusion

The Nimrod Schooner represents a poignant chapter in the history of Great Lakes shipping. Built in 1873, the vessel was a robust and capable Schooner designed for the transportation of goods across the Great Lakes. Its untimely loss on November 9, 1874, serves as a stark reminder of the dangers faced by sailors during that era. Despite the Schooner’s tragic sinking, the survival of its crew stands as a testament to the bravery and quick thinking of those aboard the rescue Schooner Grantham. The Nimrod‘s story is one of resilience and the ever-present risks of maritime trade during the late 19th century.

Resources & Links

• Great Lakes Ships
• Maritime History of the Great Lakes
• David Swayze Shipwreck File
• Port Stanley Marine Museum