IDENTIFICATION & SITE INFORMATION #
VESSEL TYPE DESCRIPTION #
The NICARAGUA was a wooden barge built in 1894, originally designed to carry large quantities of timber across the Great Lakes. Constructed by James Davidson (or possibly F.W. Wheeler) in West Bay City, Michigan, the vessel featured a single deck with built-up sides and diagonally strapped steel arches, characteristic of sturdy Great Lakes timber carriers. The barge had a significant carrying capacity, with the ability to transport 1,300,000 board feet of lumber.
HISTORY #
The NICARAGUA began its life in 1894, serving primarily as a timber carrier on the Great Lakes. Over the years, the vessel encountered various incidents and underwent several ownership changes. In 1905, it was sold to the Ogdensburg Coal and Towing Company, which upgraded the vessel with a new boiler in 1906. The barge faced challenges typical of its time, including collisions and groundings. Notably, it collided with the Canada Atlantic Railway bridge in 1905 and ran aground at Point Vivian in 1914.
Ownership of the NICARAGUA continued to shift over the years. By 1917, it was under the ownership of Oswego Navigation Company and later chartered to the Montreal Transportation Company for coal transportation. In 1919, it became part of a package deal purchased by the Montreal Transportation Company, which included other vessels such as the MELVIN S. BACON, JEREMIAH GODFREY, and AVON.
The NICARAGUA‘s operational challenges persisted, with the barge striking the gates of Lock 18 of the Cornwall Canal in 1920 and eventually sinking in Kingston’s inner harbor. By 1921, the hull was declared unseaworthy, and the vessel’s engine was removed to power another barge, THUNDER BAY.
The NICARAGUA‘s registry was officially closed in 1923, marking the end of its active maritime career. The vessel was eventually raised and scuttled in 1937 at the Wolfe Island Graveyard in Lake Ontario, where it remains today.
FINAL DISPOSITION #
The NICARAGUA was scuttled at the Wolfe Island Graveyard in 1937. The wreck lies at a depth of 98 feet at the provided coordinates, joining other vessels that were retired and sunk in this historical graveyard.
CURRENT CONDITION & ACCESSIBILITY #
The wreck of the NICARAGUA is accessible to divers, lying at a depth of 98 feet. The Wolfe Island Graveyard is a well-known site for the scuttling of retired vessels, and the NICARAGUA is one of the larger wrecks in the area. Divers exploring this site can expect to encounter the remains of a significant Great Lakes timber carrier, though the wooden construction may have deteriorated over time due to the natural decay processes in freshwater environments.
RESOURCES & LINKS #
- Divehub.ca Dive Site Information: Provides details for divers exploring the Wolfe Island Graveyard, including the wreck of the NICARAGUA.
- Historical Collections of the Great Lakes (HCGL): Offers historical data and ship histories, including the NICARAGUA.
- Queens University Video Tape Holdings POW Photo Project 1998: Archival footage and photographs documenting wrecks in Lake Ontario, including the NICARAGUA.
- Vlada Dekina Photogallery 2002: Photographs of shipwrecks in the Lake Ontario region, potentially featuring the NICARAGUA.
KEYWORDS #
- NICARAGUA
- Wolfe Island Graveyard
- Lake Ontario shipwrecks
- Great Lakes timber carrier
- James Davidson
- Ogdensburg Coal and Towing Company
- Montreal Transportation Company
- Scuttled vessels
ANALYSIS #
The NICARAGUA represents a significant piece of Great Lakes maritime history, reflecting the era of large timber carriers that played a vital role in the region’s economy. Built in 1894, the vessel’s lengthy service life was marked by several ownership changes and operational challenges, typical of the period. The NICARAGUA‘s final years, particularly its scuttling in the Wolfe Island Graveyard, highlight the transition from older wooden vessels to more modern steel ships that began to dominate the Great Lakes.
For divers and maritime historians, the wreck of the NICARAGUA offers a unique opportunity to explore the remnants of a once-mighty timber carrier. The site’s historical significance, combined with the relative accessibility of the wreck, makes it a valuable location for underwater exploration and study. The NICARAGUA serves as a testament to the evolution of shipping on the Great Lakes and the eventual decline of wooden vessels as technological advancements led to the rise of steel-hulled ships.
