← Return to Favorite Dive Summary
Return to Explore Dive Sites← Back to dive site search
ShipwreckFreshwaterTechnical DiveSource Checked

NBM Dive Site Resource

John J. Boland

Westfield, New York, United States

TECHNICAL DIVE ONLY — John J. Boland is included in the specialist inventory of Lake Erie’s 19 deepest wrecks. Although the listed depth is approximately 130 ft / 40 m, the source classifies the group as beyond recommended recreational limits.

Save this dive site to your free member profile.

Original NBM Artwork

Original historical illustration of John J. Boland
Illustration — original NBM artwork created when no suitable rights-cleared historic image was available.Naturally Buoyant Media original illustration · Naturally Buoyant Media original artworkSource ↗
WaterFreshwater
AccessBoat charter
ExperienceTechnical dive only — decompression, cold-water and wreck training required
Maximum depth130 ft
Best seasonSeasonal; eastern Lake Erie weather, border procedures and operator schedule permitting
VisibilityVisibility varies

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.

Profile connection reserved

Aquatic life research in progress

NBM is reviewing a likely local species for this position.

Profile connection reserved

Aquatic life research in progress

NBM is reviewing a likely local species for this position.

Profile connection reserved

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.
Illustrated scuba diver reserved for a future dive-site photograph
Dive Photograph PlaceholderDive-site photograph pending
Illustrated scuba diver reserved for a future dive-site photograph
Dive Photograph PlaceholderDive-site photograph pending
Illustrated scuba diver reserved for a future dive-site photograph
Dive Photograph PlaceholderDive-site photograph pending

Contributor media

Dive videos

Three featured video positions are reserved on every profile.
Dive-site video pending
Dive-site video pending
Dive-site video pending

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.
Automatically checked
No recent diver reports from the past 14 days

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.

Diver field observation

Report temperatures

Reports publish automatically when the date, depths, and temperatures pass the checks. You must be signed in to submit.

Depth readings

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.
Average airSurface waterBottom water
Reusable conditions profileGreat Lakes regional monthly conditions

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.

Monthly air, surface-water, and bottom-water temperaturesLine chart of published monthly average temperatures in Fahrenheit. Missing bottom-temperature months are intentionally left blank.20°35°50°65°80°JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Monthly averages in Fahrenheit and Celsius
MonthAverage airSurface waterBottom waterBottom measurement depth
Jan25.5°F / -3.6°C32.9°F / 0.5°CNo reliable record—
Feb26.4°F / -3.1°C32.4°F / 0.2°CNo reliable record—
Mar34.1°F / 1.2°C35.5°F / 1.9°CNo reliable record—
Apr45.6°F / 7.6°C43.6°F / 6.4°CNo reliable record—
May57.9°F / 14.4°C54.3°F / 12.4°CNo reliable record—
Jun66.9°F / 19.4°C65.9°F / 18.8°CNo reliable record—
Jul71.7°F / 22.1°C74.6°F / 23.7°CNo reliable record—
Aug70.4°F / 21.3°C75.3°F / 24.1°CNo reliable record—
Sep63.4°F / 17.4°C70.5°F / 21.4°CNo reliable record—
Oct51.7°F / 10.9°C59.8°F / 15.4°CNo reliable record—
Nov41.0°F / 5.0°C47.6°F / 8.7°CNo reliable record—
Dec31.4°F / -0.3°C38.0°F / 3.3°CNo reliable record—
Air temperatureRegional average — not site-specific

NOAA NCEI 1991–2020 U.S. Climate Normals — Buffalo, NY

1991–2020 climate normalsReview source ↗
Surface-water temperatureRegional average — not site-specific

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

Large steel-freighter remains including a four-blade propeller, rudder and recognizable deck and cabin features.

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
Steel bulk freighter
Year built
1928
Year sunk
1932
Vessel length
253 ft
Cause of loss
Foundered in a squall during an overloaded coal voyage
Wreck orientation
Lies on its starboard side
Present condition
Large propeller, rudder, railings, ladders and portions of the aft cabin and pilothouse remain

Plan the trip

Dive boats that visit this wreck

Before you arrive

Access notes

Offshore boat dive. Confirm current mooring, exact depth, weather, gas and decompression support with an experienced Lake Erie technical operator.

Plan within your training

Conditions and hazards

Borderline or technical depth, decompression obligations, cold water, low visibility, offshore exposure, entanglement, fragile structure and possible overhead environments.

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.