Niagara & Mahoning (PM group trip)

How to join this trip Niagara & Mahoning Dive Charter | July 5 2025 (PM group):

This charter is reserved by Madison Scuba. If you are interested in joining this trip, please contact the organizer directly. Their information is listed below under “Organizer.”

Recreational Dive Trip

• Dive Type: Recreational (No Decompression)
• Shipwreck depths:
  • Niagara: 58ft
  • Mahoning: 60ft
• Required Certification: PADI Open Water or equivalent
• Note: Cold water diving experience is recommended.

Niagara (Built 1845)

The remains of the Niagara lie scattered across the lakebed in about 55 feet of water, making it a great dive for beginners and experienced divers alike. The wreck is broken up, but well-marked underwater guidelines help you navigate between the key features.

You’ll start at the aft end of the ship, where the hull broke forward of the machinery. The sides of the hull have collapsed and now lie flat along the bottom, creating a wide, open area that’s easy to explore. The central keelson and two floor keelsons are still intact and clearly visible.

The engine and machinery are highlights of this dive. You’ll find the walking beam, large triple firebox boilers, and remnants of the paddlewheels. The boilers, located just north of the main wreckage, are especially striking, standing tall like silent sentinels of a bygone era.

Don’t miss the portside paddlewheel, where parts of the spokes and floats (buckets) still remain—offering a glimpse into 19th-century paddlewheel construction.

Mahoning (1847)

The wreck of the brigantine Mahoning lies in about 60 feet of water and offers divers a fascinating glimpse into 19th-century ship construction and salvage. While the wooden hull is significantly broken up, several key features remain scattered across the site. Near the wreckage, you’ll find the capstan, wood-stock anchor, and deadeyes, giving divers a feel for the ship’s original rigging and structure.

Just southeast of the main hull, a portable boiler and steam pump rest on the lakebed—remnants likely left behind during post-wreck salvage operations in 1865.

One of the standout features is the large rudder, which now lies on its side but remains clearly visible on the sandy bottom—an impressive piece of the vessel that still evokes the size and power of the original brigantine.

For divers, the permanent mooring line is located near the bow, making for an easy and safe descent right onto the wreck site. The layout and artifact scatter make this an ideal site for exploration, particularly for those interested in maritime history and underwater photography.  Read more, See Photos