Shotline Diving

Connecting You to the Depths of the Great Lakes

Niagara (1845)

Explore the wreck of the Niagara, a side-wheel steamer that tragically sank in 1856, now a historical site in Lake Michigan.

Shotline Diving Wreck Profile

  • Name: Niagara
  • Type: Side-wheel Steamer
  • Year Built: 1845
  • Builder: Not Applicable
  • Dimensions: Length: 225 ft (68.6 m); Width: 34 ft (10.4 m); Depth: 14 ft (4.3 m)
  • Registered Tonnage: Not Applicable
  • Depth at Wreck Site: 16.8 m / 55 ft
  • Location: Near Port Washington, Wisconsin
  • Official Number: Not Applicable
  • Original Owners: New York & Erie Railway Co.

Wreck Location Map

Vessel Type

The Niagara was a wooden side-wheel steamer, a type of steam-powered vessel with large paddle wheels mounted on its sides. These vessels were widely used for passenger and cargo transport during the mid-19th century.

Description

Built in 1845 for the New York & Erie Railway Co. and part of the Collingwood Line, the Niagara was designed to carry passengers and goods across the Great Lakes. On September 22, 1856, it departed Collingwood, Ontario, with approximately 300 passengers onboard, bound for destinations on the southern shore of Lake Michigan.

Tragedy struck two days later on September 24, 1856, when the ship caught fire near Belgium, Wisconsin, and sank. Despite efforts to save passengers and crew, the disaster resulted in the loss of 60 lives, making it one of the deadliest shipwrecks of the time.

History

The wreck lies in 55 ft (16.8 m) of water near Port Washington, Wisconsin, in Lake Michigan.

  • The engine is mangled, and remnants of the sidewheels are visible at the site.
  • Portions of the ship’s bottom and sides remain on the lakebed.
  • Notable features include the walking beam and engine cylinders, both identifiable and of historical interest.
  • The boilers, not part of the main wreckage, are located some distance north of the primary site.

Significant Incidents

The wreck has been well-documented as part of Wisconsin’s rich maritime history and is included in the Wisconsin Shipwreck Preservation Program. It is protected as a historical site and is monitored for ongoing preservation.

Final Disposition

The wreck’s shallow depth makes it accessible to recreational divers with proper equipment and training. Visitors are advised to respect the wreck as a cultural artifact and to avoid disturbing or removing any materials from the site.

Current Condition & Accessibility

The wreck is in a state of preservation, with various structural elements still identifiable. It is monitored as part of the Wisconsin Shipwreck Preservation Program.

Resources & Links

The Niagara remains a significant historical site, offering insights into mid-19th century maritime practices and the tragic events that can occur at sea.