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.

Shotline Diving Wreck Profile

• Name: Nims, Charles K.
• Official number: 4271
• Year built: 1866 (launched April 3)
• Builder: Quayle & Martin, Cleveland, Ohio
• Original owner: O.L. & Sarah E. Nims, Buffalo, New York
• Type: Wood‑hulled barkentine, single deck, three masts
• Dimensions: 31.1 m (102 ft) length × 11.6 m (38 ft) beam × 4.0 m (13 ft) depth
• Tonnage: ~514 GT (or 514.39 GT)
• Cargo capacity: ≈ 32,000 bushels
• Final loss location: Bar Point, Lake Erie (~24 ft depth)
• Final loss date: 10 September 1881 (collision)

Vessel Type

A large three‑masted barkentine used for bulk transport—her rigging combining square sails on foremast with fore‑and‑aft sails on main and mizzen masts optimized labour efficiency and carrying capacity.

Description

Robust wooden hull designed for large grain and bulk freight volumes—featuring a single deck and three-mast configuration. The dimensions and capacity were significant for a non-steam cargo vessel on the Great Lakes.

History & Chronology

• 1866 (April 3): Launched from Cleveland
• 1868 (September 19): Storm damage in Lake Michigan
• 1871 (May 27): Aground at Point Pelee, Lake Erie
• 1871 (October 25): Ownership transferred to Donaldson Brothers, Buffalo
• 1874: New deck installation
• 1876: Converted or re‑rigged as a schooner
• 1876 (October 17): Aground at Beaver Island, Lake Michigan while coal laden
• 1877: Hull refastened (repairs)
• 1879 (April 24): Official tonnage re-survey 493.29 GT
• 1879 (November 12): Aground near Point Abino, Lake Erie
• 1881 (September 10): Collided with schooner David Dows during an informal race near Bar Point, Lake Erie; struck and quickly took on water, sinking in ~7.3 m (24 ft) depth.
• Post-incident: Crew rescued by steamer P.H. Birckhead. Ownership transferred to S.A. Murphy (June 1882); salvage attempts resumed through October, then abandoned.

Final Disposition

The vessel was wrecked and sank following collision. Salvage efforts were initiated but abandoned later that year. The hull remains in situ at ~24 ft depth.

Located By & Date Found

The wreck is assumed located at Bar Point in Lake Erie after sinking in 1881 and was not formally rediscovered—it never left the lake floor; remains may still be present.

Notmars & Advisories

None noted. No known modern notices; however, the wreck lies in shallow waters near shore—potential hazard for small craft.

Resources & Links

• Enrollment data and incident chronology: C.E. Feltner Enrollments Database
• Incident summaries: Donald V. Baut and Steamboat Era in the Muskokas (Tatley)
• Additional register info: Erik Heyl’s Early American Steamers

Shore Dive Information

Applicable – Shallow‑water wreck (~24 ft)

• Shore Access: Nearest entry at Bar Point (shoreline)
• Depth Range: ~7.3 m (24 ft); accessible to recreational divers
• Current & Conditions: Variable Lake Erie surf; moderate visibility estimated 3–6 m (10–20 ft) in inland bay waters
• Features to See: Collapsed hull outline; fallen masts; cargo debris potentially present
• Skill Level: Intermediate – shallow wreck diving with possible currents
• Hazards: Snagging lines, entanglement in rigging; monitor weather and boat traffic
• Safety & Emergency Info:
  • Nearest hyperbaric chamber: Hamilton Regional (ON) or Cleveland, OH
  • Emergency numbers: 911 (US), 1‑800‑267‑7270 (Canadian Coast Guard)
  • Nearest Coast Guard/Marine Patrol station: Port Colborne, ON
• Local Regulations: No permit required for recreational dive; avoid entangling gear; report human remains.
• Best Time to Dive: June–September for milder waters and visibility
• Driving Directions: Accessible from Highway 58 near Bar Point Road. Parking available near public boat launch.
• Additional Resources:
  • Local boat charters for guided dives
  • Port Colborne dive shop inventory
  • Great Lakes diver forums (e.g., Wreck Central, Great Lakes Diving Reddit)

Conclusion

Nims, Charles K. presents a compelling shallow-water wreck accessible to recreational and technical divers. Its substantial remains in only 7 m of water make it easily accessible, offering insight into 19th-century barkentine design and Great Lakes bulk commerce. Despite repeated marine mishaps, it remained in use until her dramatic collision, and the in-situ wreck provides a tangible connection to the region’s maritime heritage.

Keywords, Categories, Glossary Terms

• Barkentine | Lake Erie wreck | 1881 collision | Recreational dive site | Great Lakes cargo vessel | Bar Point Port Colborne | Three-masted rig | Grain freighter | Wrecked and abandoned

charles-k-nims-us-4271 1881-09-10 22:58:00