Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: Nisbet Grammer
- Type: steel-hulled steamship
- Year Built:
- Builder: United Kingdom
- Dimensions: 253 ft (77.1 m) X 43.1 ft (13.1 m); Depth of hold: 17.9 ft (5.5 m)
- Registered Tonnage: 1,725 GRT / 1,110 NRT
- Depth at Wreck Site: 152.4 m / 500 ft
- Location: Approximately 30 miles east of Niagara, New York, Lake Ontario
- Coordinates: Undisclosed to protect the site
- Official Number: Not recorded
- Original Owners: Canadian Steamship Lines (CSL)
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
The Nisbet Grammer was a steel-hulled steamship constructed in Britain and operated on the Great Lakes.
At the time of its loss, it was the largest steel vessel ever lost in Lake Ontario.
It was designed for the grain trade, moving bulk cargo between key ports across the Great Lakes and the St. Lawrence River.
Description
The Nisbet Grammer served the vital grain shipping trade between Port Colborne and Montreal, connecting the agricultural heartlands of the Great Lakes with eastern Canadian markets.
Her efficient design and modern steel hull represented the pinnacle of early 20th-century lake freighter construction.
History
On May 31, 1926, while en route from Port Colborne to Montreal, dense fog blanketed the eastern end of Lake Ontario.
The Nisbet Grammer collided with the steamship Dalwarnic approximately 30 miles east of Niagara, New York.
The collision inflicted catastrophic structural damage, and despite efforts to save the ship, she rapidly foundered.
Significant Incidents
- May 31, 1926: Collision with the steamship Dalwarnic in fog, resulting in the sinking of the Nisbet Grammer.
- All crew were rescued by the Dalwarnic, averting loss of life.
Final Disposition
Condition: Upright and intact
Discovery: August 2014
Discovered By: Dan Scoville, Jim Kennard, Craig Hampton, and Roland Stevens
Discovery Method: Deep sonar and ROV exploration
Preservation Status: Excellent due to cold freshwater and depth
Accessibility: Not dive-accessible; deep-ROV only
Current Condition & Accessibility
The wreck is in deep, cold, oxygen-poor freshwater that has significantly slowed corrosion.
Structural integrity appears high, with the hull largely intact and upright.
Exploration has been conducted exclusively via ROV and sonar, with no artifact removal or penetration dives permitted.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”nisbet-grammer” title=”References & Links” show_ref_button=”yes”]
The loss of the Nisbet Grammer on May 31, 1926, remains one of Lake Ontario’s most significant maritime events.
As the largest steel vessel ever lost in the lake, it serves as a poignant reminder of the hazards that persisted despite modern technology.
Thanks to the 2014 discovery by dedicated explorers, the ship’s legacy endures—preserved deep beneath the surface, a testament to the industrial age of Great Lakes shipping.
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
Registry: United Kingdom
Location: Approximately 30 miles east of Niagara, New York, Lake Ontario
Coordinates: Undisclosed to protect the site
Depth: Over 500 ft (152.4 m)
Date of Wreck: May 31, 1926
Home Port: Port Colborne, Ontario
Owners: Canadian Steamship Lines (CSL)
Casualties: None – all crew rescued
Vessel Type Description
The Nisbet Grammer was a steel-hulled steamship constructed in Britain and operated on the Great Lakes.
At the time of its loss, it was the largest steel vessel ever lost in Lake Ontario.
It was designed for the grain trade, moving bulk cargo between key ports across the Great Lakes and the St. Lawrence River.
Beam: 43.1 ft (13.1 m)
Depth: 17.9 ft (5.5 m)
Gross Tonnage: 1,725
Net Tonnage: 1,110
Cargo Capacity: 130,000 cu ft (3,680 m³)
Material: Steel
Propulsion: Steam engine, single screw
Primary Trade: Bulk grain carrier
History
The Nisbet Grammer served the vital grain shipping trade between Port Colborne and Montreal, connecting the agricultural heartlands of the Great Lakes with eastern Canadian markets.
Her efficient design and modern steel hull represented the pinnacle of early 20th-century lake freighter construction.
Final Voyage and Circumstances of Loss
On May 31, 1926, while en route from Port Colborne to Montreal, dense fog blanketed the eastern end of Lake Ontario.
The Nisbet Grammer collided with the steamship Dalwarnic approximately 30 miles east of Niagara, New York.
The collision inflicted catastrophic structural damage, and despite efforts to save the ship, she rapidly foundered.
All crew were rescued by the Dalwarnic, averting loss of life.
The incident underscored the persistent navigational dangers of the Great Lakes—particularly during fog conditions in the spring shipping season.
Final Disposition
Condition: Upright and intact
Discovery: August 2014
Discovered By: Dan Scoville, Jim Kennard, Craig Hampton, and Roland Stevens
Discovery Method: Deep sonar and ROV exploration
Preservation Status: Excellent due to cold freshwater and depth
Accessibility: Not dive-accessible; deep-ROV only
The wreck lies undisturbed on the lakebed in exceptional condition.
Its depth renders it inaccessible to recreational divers; only specialized remotely operated vehicles (ROVs) or technical submersibles can reach the site.
Current Condition & Accessibility
The wreck is in deep, cold, oxygen-poor freshwater that has significantly slowed corrosion.
Structural integrity appears high, with the hull largely intact and upright.
Exploration has been conducted exclusively via ROV and sonar, with no artifact removal or penetration dives permitted.
Notmars & Advisories
There are no active Notices to Mariners (NOTMARs) concerning the Nisbet Grammer.
Navigators in the eastern basin of Lake Ontario should exercise caution during fog and reduced-visibility conditions—circumstances historically responsible for the vessel’s loss.
Video Gallery — Nisbet Grammer (500 ft Freshwater Wreck)
All footage courtesy of Exploring Our Deep World, an organization dedicated to
education, conservation, scientific research, and exploration of the deep waters of our world.
This project and its documentation are directed and produced by Aaron Newman of
Exploring Our Deep World.
Produced By: Exploring Our Deep World / Aaron Newman
Depth of Filming: ≈ 500 ft (152 m)
Platform: ROV Deep Explorer Class Vehicle
Camera System: 4K HD ROV Imaging Array / Low-Light Navigation Suite
Filming Location: Lake Ontario — ≈ 30 miles east of Niagara, New York
Preservation Status: Wreck upright and intact in cold, low-oxygen freshwater
Usage Notes: All video materials © Exploring Our Deep World / Aaron Newman — used for educational and historical reference purposes.
Resources & Links
- Shipwreck Stories – Nisbet Grammer
- Maritime History of the Great Lakes
- David Swayze Shipwreck File
- Great Lakes Ships Database
- BGSU Historic Vessels Index
- NOAA Mariners Weather Log – April 2015 Feature
Conclusion
The loss of the Nisbet Grammer on May 31, 1926, remains one of Lake Ontario’s most significant maritime events.
As the largest steel vessel ever lost in the lake, it serves as a poignant reminder of the hazards that persisted despite modern technology.
Thanks to the 2014 discovery by dedicated explorers, the ship’s legacy endures—preserved deep beneath the surface, a testament to the industrial age of Great Lakes shipping.
Keywords
Nisbet Grammer, Lake Ontario shipwreck, Great Lakes steamship, Dalwarnic collision, maritime history, deepwater wreck, shipwreck exploration, Exploring Our Deep World.
NOAA Shipwreck Record Card
Other Names: None
Official Number: Not recorded
Coordinates: Undisclosed
Depth: Over 500 ft (152.4 m)
Location Description: 30 miles east of Niagara, New York, Lake Ontario
Vessel Type: Steel steamship
Material: Steel
Dimensions: 253 × 43.1 × 17.9 ft (77.1 × 13.1 × 5.5 m)
Tonnage: 1,725 GRT / 1,110 NRT
Condition: Upright, intact, preserved
Cause of Loss: Collision with S.S. Dalwarnic in fog
Discovery Date: August 2014
Discovered By: Dan Scoville, Jim Kennard, Craig Hampton, and Roland Stevens
Method: Deep sonar and ROV
Legal Notes: Coordinates withheld to protect site
Hazards: None to navigation
Permits Required: ROV or research use only