Nimrod (1873)

Shotline Diving Wreck Profile

• Name: Nimrod
• Type: Schooner
• Year Built: 1873
• Builder: Bailey Brothers
• Dimensions: Length: 184 ft (56 m); Beam: 32 ft; Depth of hold: 13 ft
• Registered Tonnage: 559 tons
• Depth at Wreck Site: 23 m / 70 ft
• Location: Port Stanley, Lake Erie
• Coordinates: Approximately 10 miles offshore, east of Port Stanley
• Original Owners: Not specified
• Number of Masts: 3

Wreck Location Map

Vessel Type

The Nimrod was a three-masted wooden schooner built in 1873. With its robust construction and significant cargo capacity, it was well-suited for transporting goods across the Great Lakes. The schooner featured a single deck and was primarily used in the trade of bulk commodities such as wheat, which it was carrying on its final voyage.

Description

The Nimrod had a brief yet notable career on the Great Lakes, serving as a critical vessel for the transportation of goods during the late 19th century. Below is a chronological overview of its operational history:

History

• 1873: The Nimrod was constructed in Toledo, Ohio, by Bailey Brothers, designed for the rigorous demands of Great Lakes trade. The schooner was launched with high expectations, boasting a strong wooden hull and a sizable cargo capacity.
• November 9, 1874: The Nimrod met its tragic end just over a year after its construction. While sailing approximately 10 miles offshore, east of Port Stanley in Lake Erie, the schooner was involved in a fatal collision with another vessel, the schooner Michigan. The impact of the collision was severe, leading to the sinking of the Nimrod.
• Rescue: Fortunately, the crew of the Nimrod was rescued by the schooner Grantham, averting a greater tragedy despite the loss of the vessel.

Significant Incidents

• Date of Loss: November 9, 1874
• Cause of Loss: Collision with the schooner Michigan
• Crew: All crew members were rescued by the schooner Grantham
• Final Cargo: Wheat
• Current Status: Wreck lies at a depth of 70 feet (23 meters) on the lakebed of Lake Erie, approximately 10 miles east of Port Stanley.

Final Disposition

The Nimrod schooner represents a poignant chapter in the history of Great Lakes shipping. Built in 1873, the vessel was a robust and capable schooner designed for the transportation of goods across the Great Lakes. Its untimely loss on November 9, 1874, serves as a stark reminder of the dangers faced by sailors during that era. Despite the schooner’s tragic sinking, the survival of its crew stands as a testament to the bravery and quick thinking of those aboard the rescue schooner Grantham. The Nimrod‘s story is one of resilience and the ever-present risks of maritime trade during the late 19th century.

Current Condition & Accessibility

The wreck of the Nimrod is located at a depth of 70 feet (23 meters) in Lake Erie, approximately 10 miles east of Port Stanley. Divers are encouraged to practice responsible diving by using no-touch documentation methods and to leave the site better than they found it. Remember to leave only bubbles and take only memories.

Resources & Links

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As you explore the Nimrod, reflect on the maritime history it represents and the lessons learned from its tragic loss. Be the diver that makes a difference by respecting the site and its history.