07/22/2026
“Brunswick — Iron Propeller, Coal Cargo, 100 Feet”
The Brunswick is scheduled for August 2 and is one of the standout wrecks of this Lake Erie charter weekend. Built in 1881 at Wyandotte, Michigan, she was a four-masted iron propeller powered by steam and was only months into her working life when she was lost. On November 12, 1881, the Brunswick was carrying a heavy cargo of anthracite coal after leaving Buffalo bound for Duluth. In light snow near Dunkirk, she encountered the schooner Carlingford, and a confusing series of maneuvers ended with the Brunswick striking the schooner near the port bow. The collision badly damaged both vessels, and the Brunswick began taking on water while trying desperately to reach shore. About forty-five minutes later, her furnaces went out, she lost power, and the crew abandoned ship under dangerous conditions that cost three lives.
Today the Brunswick rests upright in about 100 feet of water, with the top of the boiler and forward decks reached at roughly 85 feet. Her coal cargo is scattered across the wreck, anchors remain at the bow, and the damage that helped sink her can still be seen. All four masts are broken off, but part of the foremast remains, and her boiler, engine, capstans, and windlass make the stern an excellent area of study. Some pe*******on may be possible only for divers with the proper training, equipment, and plan. For experienced deep divers, the Brunswick offers a powerful mix of machinery, cargo, collision history, and classic Great Lakes wreck structure.
This is cold, deep Lake Erie diving, so bring the right exposure protection, a redundant air source, and a serious dive plan. Call Davey Bones Scuba Center at 330-701-4649 to sign up or get additional information. Event Link: https://www.facebook.com/events/2034141483928238?acontext=%7B%22event_action_history%22%3A[%7B%22mechanism%22%3A%22surface%22%2C%22surface%22%3A%22groups_highlight_units%22%7D]%2C%22ref_notif_type%22%3Anull%7D
A great resource for Lake Erie shipwreck history is Lake Erie Shipwrecks (http://www.eriewrecks.com/eriewrecks/). You can purchase their books through the link or Amazon. Thanks to Mike and Georgann Watcher for permission to use some of their images.
Osprey Charters shipwreck info: https://ospreydive.com/brunswick/
