SHIPWRECK REPORT: NISBET GRAMMER

IDENTIFICATION & SITE INFORMATION

•Vessel Name: Nisbet Grammer

•Location: Approximately 30 miles east of Niagara, New York, in Lake Ontario

•Coordinates: Specific coordinates are undisclosed to protect the site

•Depth: Over 500 feet (152.4 meters)

•Date of Wreck: May 31, 1926

VESSEL TYPE DESCRIPTION

The Nisbet Grammer was a British-built steel Steamship, notable for being the largest steel vessel lost in Lake Ontario. Constructed with a steel Hull, the ship featured the following specifications:

•Length: 253 feet (77.1 meters)

•Beam: 43.1 feet (13.1 meters)

•Depth: 17.9 feet (5.5 meters)

•Gross Tonnage: 1725

•Net Tonnage: 1110

•Cargo Capacity: 130,000 cubic feet (3,680 cubic meters)

Primarily designed for the grain trade, the Nisbet Grammer was a workhorse of the Great Lakes shipping network, connecting agricultural ports with processing and export hubs.

HISTORY

Launched to serve the bustling trade routes of the Great Lakes, the Nisbet Grammer transported grain between key ports, enhancing commerce in the region. However, the ship’s operational life came to an abrupt end on May 31, 1926, during a voyage from Port Colborne to Montreal.

•Circumstances of the Loss:

Dense fog enveloped the eastern end of Lake Ontario, obscuring Visibility for both the Nisbet Grammer and the Dalwarnic, another Steamship. The two vessels collided amidst the thick fog, causing irreparable damage to the Nisbet Grammer. Efforts to stabilize and save the vessel failed, and it rapidly sank.

•Impact:

Despite the ship’s loss, all crew members were rescued, preventing any fatalities. The sinking marked the end of an era for one of Lake Ontario’s prominent freighters.

FINAL DISPOSITION

•The Nisbet Grammer came to rest at a depth exceeding 500 feet (152.4 meters), placing it well beyond the reach of traditional diving exploration.

•In August 2014, a team of experienced shipwreck explorers—Dan Scoville, Jim Kennard, Craig Hampton, and Roland Stevens—located the wreckage. Their discovery confirmed the ship’s position and preserved its story within the annals of maritime history.

CURRENT CONDITION & ACCESSIBILITY

•The wreck remains undisturbed at its deepwater resting place in the cold, fresh waters of Lake Ontario.

•Due to its extreme depth, the wreck is inaccessible to recreational divers. Only advanced equipment such as Remotely Operated Vehicles (ROVs) or professional deep-sea diving gear can reach the site.

•The cold and oxygen-poor environment have likely slowed the deterioration of the wreck, leaving it in a relatively preserved state.

NOTMARs & ADVISORIES

•No specific Notices to Mariners (NOTMARs) are currently associated with the wreck of the Nisbet Grammer.

•Navigational caution is advised in the vicinity of eastern Lake Ontario, particularly during fog or low Visibility conditions, which historically contributed to the vessel’s sinking.

RESOURCES & LINKS

For more detailed accounts and research materials on the Nisbet Grammer, the following resources are recommended:

•Shipwreck Stories: Nisbet Grammer

•Maritime History of the Great Lakes

•David Swayze Shipwreck File

•Great Lakes Ships Database

•Bowling Green State University, Historic Vessels Index

•NOAA Mariners Weather Log – April 2015

CONCLUSION

The sinking of the Nisbet Grammer is a tragic yet historically significant event in the Maritime History of the Great Lakes. This once-majestic Steamship, vital to the grain trade, now lies over 500 feet below the surface of Lake Ontario, serving as a poignant reminder of the risks faced by sailors and vessels navigating these vast inland seas. The 2014 discovery by skilled explorers has ensured that the legacy of the Nisbet Grammer will endure for generations to come.

KEYWORDS

Nisbet Grammer, Lake Ontario shipwreck, Great Lakes Steamship, Dalwarnic collision, maritime history, deepwater wreck, shipwreck exploration.