Searchers Uncover 19th Century Shipwreck in Lake Michigan
Discovery of the Lac La Belle
A significant maritime archaeological achievement has taken place as searchers confirm the discovery of the wreck of a luxury steamer, the Lac La Belle, which sank during a fierce gale in Lake Michigan in the late 19th century. This searching endeavor, pursued for almost six decades, reached fruition in October 2022 when a team led by Paul Ehorn, an experienced shipwreck hunter from Illinois, identified the wreck approximately 20 miles offshore between Racine and Kenosha, Wisconsin.
Shipwreck World, an organization dedicated to locating shipwrecks globally, announced the successful find on Friday. Ehorn explained in a phone interview that the announcement was delayed so his team could include a three-dimensional video model of the wreckage. However, inclement weather and other commitments postponed follow-up dives to the site until last summer.
Paul Ehorn’s Lifelong Quest
Ehorn, now 80 years old, has been devoted to shipwreck hunting since he was 15. His pursuit of the Lac La Belle specifically has been ongoing since 1965. The breakthrough in the search came in 2022 when Ehorn received directional advice from fellow wreck hunter and author Ross Richardson, allowing him to refine his search grid. With the assistance of side-scan sonar technology, he successfully located the shipwreck in just two hours of searching.
“It’s like solving a puzzle,” said Ehorn. “Sometimes you have limited pieces to work with, but this time everything fell into place quickly.” He expressed immense satisfaction with the discovery, stating he was “super elated.”
Ehorn has chosen not to disclose the specific clue that led to the discovery. Richardson mentioned in an interview that he had heard reports of a commercial fisherman snagging an item characteristic of steamships from the 1800s in that area. He refrained from discussing competitive aspects of shipwreck hunting, highlighting the sensitive nature of sharing information that could lead others to make similar discoveries.
Historical Context of the Lac La Belle
Constructed in 1864 in Cleveland, Ohio, the Lac La Belle was a prominent 217-foot steamer that once ran routes between Cleveland and Lake Superior. However, in 1866, the ship met with misfortune, sinking after a collision in the St. Clair River. Although it was raised three years later and restored, its most significant tragedy occurred on October 13, 1872.
On that fateful night, the Lac La Belle departed from Milwaukee heading towards Grand Haven, Michigan. Battling severe weather with 53 passengers and crew on board, the ship rapidly began to take on water. As the situation worsened, the captain attempted to return to Milwaukee, yet towering waves extinguished the ship’s steam boilers, causing it to be driven off course. By dawn, the captain ordered lifeboats to be deployed, but the vessel sank stern-first. Tragically, one lifeboat capsized, resulting in the loss of eight lives. Other lifeboats managed to reach the Wisconsin shoreline between Racine and Kenosha.
Current Condition of the Wreck
According to Ehorn, the wreck is currently encrusted with quagga mussels, a type of invasive species. He indicated that while the wreck’s upper cabins have deteriorated significantly, the hull remains largely intact, and the oak interior is still in relatively good condition.
The Great Lakes are known to contain an estimated 6,000 to 10,000 shipwrecks, many of which remain unexplored, according to research from the University of Wisconsin-Madison’s Wisconsin Water Library. A growing urgency among shipwreck hunters has emerged, primarily due to concerns that invasive species like quagga mussels are gradually deteriorating these historical sites.
The Future of Shipwreck Hunting
The Lac La Belle marks the 15th shipwreck located by Ehorn throughout his extensive career in maritime archaeology. Reflecting on this latest achievement, he stated, “It was one more to put a checkmark by. Now it’s on to the next one. It’s getting harder and harder, as the easier ones have already been found.” The search for lost maritime history continues, albeit with increasing challenges in the face of environmental changes and the degradation of underwater artifacts.
Source: Original Reporting
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