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
[shotline_reference_links slug=”birmingham-1843″ title=”References & 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.
Legacy Notes & Full Historical Record
This section preserves the original unedited Shotline content for this wreck so that no historical detail is lost as we transition to the new logbook format.
Identification & Site Information
- Name: Birmingham
- Former Names: None recorded
- Date Built: 1843
- Place Built: Vermillion, Ohio
- Material: Wooden
- Dimensions: Tonnage 138 tons
- Final Resting Place: Potentially Horseshoe Reef, Buffalo Harbor, Lake Erie
- Date Lost: December 4, 1854
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.
Final Disposition
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.
Located By & Date Found
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.
Notmars & Advisories
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
- Great Lakes Ships Database
- David Swayze Shipwreck File
- Maritime History of the Great Lakes
- Historical newspapers, such as the Buffalo Morning Express (April 1851)
- Great Lakes Shipwreck Historical Society
- Maritime archaeological assessments and local dive groups .
Suggested Keywords and Categories
Great Lakes Shipwrecks Birmingham Schooner Lake Erie Maritime History Horseshoe Reef Wreck 19th-Century Shipping Vessel Maritime Archaeology
The Birmingham was a schooner that was built in 1843 in Vermillion, Ohio. It had no official number but had a tonnage of 138. This wooden vessel was primarily used for transporting cargo on Lake Erie. birmingham-1843 1854-12-04 07:48:00