IDENTIFICATION & SITE INFORMATION #
VESSEL TYPE DESCRIPTION #
The Nisbet Grammer was a British steamship and the largest steel steamer to have foundered in Lake Ontario. Built with a steel hull, the ship measured 253 feet (77.1 meters) in length, had a beam of 43.1 feet (13.1 meters), and a depth of 17.9 feet (5.5 meters). The vessel had a gross tonnage of 1725 and a net tonnage of 1110, reflecting its substantial size and cargo capacity. The hold of the Nisbet Grammer could accommodate 130,000 cubic feet (3,680 cubic meters) of cargo, making it a vital asset for transporting goods across the Great Lakes.
HISTORY #
The Nisbet Grammer was involved in the Great Lakes shipping trade, particularly transporting grain between major ports. On May 31, 1926, while traveling from Port Colburne to Montreal, the Nisbet Grammer encountered a dense fog near the eastern end of Lake Ontario. During these challenging conditions, the ship collided with another steamship, the Dalwarnic. The collision proved disastrous for the Nisbet Grammer, which began taking on water rapidly. Despite efforts to save the vessel, it ultimately sank to the lakebed, marking the tragic end of the largest steel steamer to be lost in Lake Ontario.
FINAL DISPOSITION #
The Nisbet Grammer sank in deep water, approximately 30 miles east of Niagara, New York. The ship’s significant size and the depth at which it rests made its discovery a challenging endeavor. In August 2014, a team of shipwreck explorers, including Dan Scoville, Jim Kennard, Craig Hampton, and Roland Stevens, located the wreckage of the Nisbet Grammer. The wreck lies at a depth of over 500 feet (152.4 meters), making it inaccessible to most divers and requiring advanced equipment for exploration.
NOTMARs & ADVISORIES #
There are no current Notices to Mariners (NOTMARs) specifically related to the wreck of the Nisbet Grammer. However, mariners are advised to exercise caution when navigating the waters of eastern Lake Ontario, especially during poor visibility conditions like those that contributed to the ship’s sinking.
LOCATED BY & DATE #
The wreck of the Nisbet Grammer was located in August 2014 by the exploration team from Shipwreckworld, consisting of Dan Scoville, Jim Kennard, Craig Hampton, and Roland Stevens. The discovery was a significant achievement, bringing to light a crucial piece of Lake Ontario’s maritime history.
CURRENT CONDITION & ACCESSIBILITY #
Due to its depth of over 500 feet (152.4 meters), the wreck of the Nisbet Grammer is not accessible to recreational divers. The wreck remains largely undisturbed on the lakebed, preserved in the cold, fresh waters of Lake Ontario. The remote location and depth mean that only specialized equipment, such as remotely operated vehicles (ROVs), can explore the site.
RESOURCES & LINKS #
For further information on the Nisbet Grammer, the following resources were used:
