Lake Michigan is no ordinary diving destination, where one only expects to find sunken telephone booths, fishing boats and fire trucks as the points of interest for seasoned divers. Lake Michigan has been known to have a major share of commercial maritime traffic over the years, and during this period, the treacherous and unpredictable weather has sent quite a number of vessels plying this route to the bottom. Protected from the corrosive effects of saltwater, a good number of these shipwrecks in Lake Michigan are in the most favorable state of preservation. Ocean-based and advanced divers who are exploring these diving sites in Lake Michigan for the first time will surely discover them as an entirely new challenge as the freshwater presents a less buoyant condition.
Lake Michigan easily makes it to the top of our list of choices when it comes to the best wreck diving sites in the Great Lakes. Located entirely within the boundaries of the United States, Lake Michigan is the country’s largest body of freshwater. It presents a wreck diving experience that offers diverse insights into the rich maritime history, and there are literally several thousands of shipwrecks that dot the lake bed, enough to keep you busy for the next several years.
Lake Michigan Shipwreck Diving Adventure
There are about 500 to 600 dive-worthy wrecks in Lake Michigan that are waiting to be discovered. Alpena is one of the more popular wreck diving sites on the eastern region of Lake Michigan. The circumstances of her disappearance in 1880 are shrouded with mystery up to this day. The Holland Museum features several important artifacts and remnants of the Alpena. A number of organizations, which include the Michigan Shipwreck Research Associates, are actively documenting and verifying field reports and historical records to pinpoint shipwrecks in the region. This organization makes use of modern devices and technical diving practices in discovering shipwrecks in Lake Michigan.
The dive season in Lake Michigan is pretty short. In fact, you are lucky enough if you can go on wreck diving before the month of May and beyond October, although there are some parts of Lake Michigan where wreck diving activities continue all year round. The main wreck diving season is from May to September, and the best time for wreck diving is during the months of July and August.
There is nothing unusual in the current of Lake Michigan. There are some wreck diving sites where current is present, although this should not be a major cause for concern as it is not really intense. Chop is extremely common in Lake Michigan and waves, which are primarily wind-driven, normally come in close succession.
Visibility in the wreck diving sites in Lake Michigan is primarily affected by the rainfall, time of the year, temperature ranges and dive location. Generally, deeper wreck diving sites offer the best visibility, while wrecks that are near rivers have the worst visibility. Visibility is generally at its best during the springtime, although it can become worse by occasional storms and rain.
Featured Shipwrecks in Lake Michigan
Prins Willem V
Prins Willem V figured in a collision with the barge Sinclair XII in October 1954 some 3 to 4 miles off the shores of Milwaukee. The sinking was caused by the malfunction in the towing cable which left a large gash on her hull. Prins Willem V settled at the lake bed which is about 90 feet from the surface. Because of its distinct features and relatively intact condition, Prins Willem V is now one of the most popular wreck diving sites in Lake Michigan.
Sandusky
The remnants of Sandusky rest at the bottom of the Straits of Mackinac. The vessel sunk after being struck by a strong gale in September of 1856. It now stands in a straight up position at about 85 feet from the surface. Sandusky is a solid proof of the preservative advantage of the cold and salt-free waters of the Great Lakes when it comes to the best wreck diving sites.
Northerner
The Northerner sunk several miles off Port Washington in November of 1868, after it developed a major leak and broke down after being towed back to port. It is another perfect example at how well-preserved the top wreck diving sites in Lake Michigan are. It is thickly encrusted by layers of mussels, although her hull, bowsprit and windlass are still recognizable. It lies on the lakebed, which is some 140 feet from the surface.
S.S. Wisconsin
The S.S. Wisconsin floundered and was ultimately overwhelmed by a vicious storm in November of 1929, while waiting for the Illinois her running mate to tow her to shore she suddenly sunk off Kenosha. The vessel was totally damaged after she hit the the bottom of Lake Michigan, with her supporting I-beams and cargo hull exposing among other items an Essex, a Chevrolet touring coupe and a Hudson.
Rouse Simmons
Rouse Simmons has been dubbed during her heyday as the “Christmas Tree Ship.” In 1912, she embarked on her last trip for the season and went right into the heart of a blizzard-gale. She went down a few miles off the Kewaunee. This wreck diving site was discovered in 1971, which is just a few miles off the Rawley Pt.
