Niagara (1873)

Shotline Diving Wreck Profile

• Name: Niagara
• Type: Schooner-barge (wooden consort)
• Year Built: 1873
• Builder: Parsons & Humble
• Dimensions: 205 ft × 34 ft × 14 ft (62.5 m × 10.4 m × 4.3 m)
• Registered Tonnage: Gross 765.65; Net 726.52
• Depth at Wreck Site: 30.5 m / 100 ft
• Location: ~3.5 miles off Vermilion Point, Lake Superior
• Coordinates: 46°49.169′ N, 85°07.532′ W
• Official Number: 18787
• Original Owners: Possibly Corrigan fleet (Cleveland) – unconfirmed
• Number of Masts: Three

Wreck Location Map

Vessel Type

The Niagara was a three-masted wooden schooner converted to function as an unpowered consort barge. It featured a single deck, a centerboard trunk, and structural reinforcement for carrying dense bulk cargoes like iron ore.

Description

The wreck site includes remnants of the centerboard trunk, windlass, winch, anchor chains, rigging debris, mast fragments, and a standing stem. Much of the hull is fragmented and buried under cargo debris.

History

Niagara was built around 1873 for the grain and ore trade and later operated as part of the Corrigan fleet of Cleveland, serving as a consort barge under tow by steamers. On 7 September 1887, while under tow by the steamer Australasia, a severe gale arose near Vermilion Point. The schooner-barge broke free from her towline, capsized in the waves, and sank rapidly. Though the crew launched a lifeboat, all hands were lost when it too capsized.

Significant Incidents

• 7 September 1887: The Niagara capsized and sank during a severe gale while under tow, resulting in the loss of all nine crew members.

Final Disposition

The Niagara capsized and sank in deep water off Vermilion Point. The wreck is considered a total loss. Modern documentation shows the hull to be heavily fragmented and partially buried beneath spilled ore. The centerboard trunk and windlass remain visible. The standing stem remains upright, protruding from the debris field.

Current Condition & Accessibility

The wreck is charted and modeled by 3DShipwrecks.org, using over 4,500 DPV survey images collected in 2022. The original discovery date is not definitively documented. Mariners and divers should exercise caution in the vicinity due to submerged structural debris.

Resources & Links

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Access to the Niagara requires a boat, with entry points available from the Whitefish Point region in Michigan. Divers should be aware of cold freshwater conditions, variable visibility, and the need for permits within the Whitefish Point Underwater Preserve. Remember to leave only bubbles and take only memories.