Shotline Diving

Connecting You to the Depths of the Great Lakes

Birmingham 1843

Explore the wreck of the Birmingham, a wooden schooner lost in 1854 near Buffalo Harbor, Lake Erie. Discover its history and the mysteries surrounding its final resting place.

Shotline Diving Wreck Profile

  • Name: Birmingham
  • Type: Schooner
  • Year Built: 1843
  • Builder: Vermillion, Ohio
  • Dimensions: Length X ft (Y m); Beam; Depth of hold
  • Registered Tonnage: 138 tons
  • Location: Potentially Horseshoe Reef, Buffalo Harbor, Lake Erie
  • Coordinates: N/A
  • Official Number: N/A
  • Original Owners: Enrolled in Sandusky, Ohio, and later in Buffalo, New York
  • Number of Masts: N/A

Wreck Location Map

Vessel Type

The Birmingham was a wooden schooner designed for cargo transport, particularly coal, during a period of significant maritime commerce on the Great Lakes.

Description

The Birmingham was a wooden schooner built in Vermillion, Ohio, during a time of significant maritime commerce on the Great Lakes. Designed to transport cargo, particularly coal, the vessel served as a critical link in the region’s shipping network. Its 138-ton frame was typical of schooners navigating Lake Erie.

In its operational life, the Birmingham enrolled in Sandusky, Ohio, and later in Buffalo, New York. The vessel encountered numerous challenges, including an incident on April 8, 1851, where it went ashore in a storm at Port Burwell, Lake Erie. It survived that ordeal, unlike some vessels like the Atalanta, which were lost in the same storm.

History

On December 4, 1854, during a severe snowstorm, the Birmingham ran aground on Horseshoe Reef near Buffalo Harbor. Reports conflict regarding its ultimate fate. Some suggest the schooner was salvaged, while others argue it succumbed to the damage sustained from the storm and reef. No loss of life was reported in the incident, and the financial loss was approximately $4,000—a significant amount for the era.

Significant Incidents

  • April 8, 1851: The Birmingham went ashore in a storm at Port Burwell, Lake Erie, but survived.

Final Disposition

There is no definitive confirmation of the Birmingham’s wreckage location. Its likely site is on Horseshoe Reef, but further exploration and verification are needed.

Current Condition & Accessibility

No modern navigational markers or official advisories identify the wreck of the Birmingham, making it a potential target for further archaeological surveys. The area’s shallow reef system presents challenges and risks to exploration.

Resources & Links

The Birmingham remains a significant part of Great Lakes maritime history, representing the challenges faced by 19th-century shipping vessels. Its story continues to intrigue divers and historians alike.