NBM Dive Site Resource
J. G. McGrath
Dunkirk, New York, United States
A 104-foot two-masted schooner lost in an 1878 Lake Erie storm after its cargo of cut stone shifted, resting near the United States–Canada boundary off Dunkirk.
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Aquatic life at this dive site
What divers may encounter
Three reviewed connections are featured here. Sightings vary by season, conditions, and chance, so they are never guaranteed.
Aquatic life research in progress
NBM is reviewing a likely local species for this position.
Aquatic life research in progress
NBM is reviewing a likely local species for this position.
Aquatic life research in progress
NBM is reviewing a likely local species for this position.
Site media
Photographs
Three views rotate from the published gallery on each visit.
Contributor media
Dive videos
Three featured video positions are reserved on every profile.Recent field observations
Diver-reported temperatures
Automatically checked observations from dives during the past 14 days. Three reports are visible at a time; scroll for more.A report that passes the automatic checks will appear here with the dive date, diver’s display name, and temperatures at each depth.
Reports are automatically checked for plausible dates, depths, and temperatures. They are observations, not forecasts; confirm conditions before diving.
Seasonal planning reference
Typical monthly conditions
Long-term averages, not a forecast. Actual air and water conditions can change quickly and may vary across the site.Moderate-confidence match — Matched by documented Great Lakes port/area. Air and surface-water values are regional planning averages. No bottom-water line is published because a comparable depth-specific record has not yet been verified.
| Month | Average air | Surface water | Bottom water | Bottom measurement depth |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 25.5°F / -3.6°C | 32.9°F / 0.5°C | No reliable record | — |
| Feb | 26.4°F / -3.1°C | 32.4°F / 0.2°C | No reliable record | — |
| Mar | 34.1°F / 1.2°C | 35.5°F / 1.9°C | No reliable record | — |
| Apr | 45.6°F / 7.6°C | 43.6°F / 6.4°C | No reliable record | — |
| May | 57.9°F / 14.4°C | 54.3°F / 12.4°C | No reliable record | — |
| Jun | 66.9°F / 19.4°C | 65.9°F / 18.8°C | No reliable record | — |
| Jul | 71.7°F / 22.1°C | 74.6°F / 23.7°C | No reliable record | — |
| Aug | 70.4°F / 21.3°C | 75.3°F / 24.1°C | No reliable record | — |
| Sep | 63.4°F / 17.4°C | 70.5°F / 21.4°C | No reliable record | — |
| Oct | 51.7°F / 10.9°C | 59.8°F / 15.4°C | No reliable record | — |
| Nov | 41.0°F / 5.0°C | 47.6°F / 8.7°C | No reliable record | — |
| Dec | 31.4°F / -0.3°C | 38.0°F / 3.3°C | No reliable record | — |
NOAA NCEI 1991–2020 U.S. Climate Normals — Buffalo, NY
1991–2020 climate normalsReview source ↗NOAA NCEI Coastal Water Temperature Guide — Buffalo, NY
Historical monthly station averagesReview source ↗Bottom temperature is never inferred from surface temperature. A blank month means no reliable depth-specific average is available. Data reviewed 2026-08-26.
Why divers know this place
Highlights
Schooner structure, windlass, capstan and other working gear associated with the stone trade.
Shipwreck-only module
The wreck
This section appears only on shipwreck records and brings the vessel, its loss, present condition, access, and responsible wreck-diving considerations into one place.
- Vessel type
- Two-masted schooner
- Year built
- 1870
- Year sunk
- 1878
- Vessel length
- 104 ft
- Cause of loss
- Cargo shifted in a storm and the schooner foundered
- Present condition
- Masts down; windlass, capstan and working gear reported on site
Plan the trip
Dive boats that visit this wreck
Before you arrive
Access notes
Board from Barcelona Harbor in the Westfield, New York area; confirm the selected wreck, weather, mooring status, border procedures and departure instructions directly with Osprey Charters.
Plan within your training
Conditions and hazards
Cold water, changing weather and visibility, current, entanglement, fragile wreck structure and possible overhead environments. Depth-specific narcosis and decompression hazards may apply.
Independent resource notice
This record is a starting point for independent verification. Access, closures, moorings, weather, currents, depth, visibility, operator availability, and site conditions can change without notice. Confirm current information with the responsible operator, property owner, managing authority, or another qualified local source before planning or attempting a dive.