After 150 Years Underwater.. Discovery of a Historic Shipwreck in Lake Michigan

Marine exploration teams announced the discovery of the luxurious steamboat "Lac La Belle" that sank in Lake Michigan during a powerful storm in the 19th century, following nearly 60 years of search efforts, as stated by the World Shipwreck Organization.
The wreck was found about 32 kilometers off the coast between the cities of Racine and Kenosha in Wisconsin.

Research Team Led by a Veteran Expert

The discovery was led by researcher Paul Ehorn, 80 years old, who explained that the announcement of the discovery was delayed to prepare a 3D model documenting the condition of the wreck. He also noted that bad weather delayed the team's return to the ship's location after it was identified.
He indicated that the search for the ship began in 1965, before collaborating in 2022 with researcher Ross Richardson to narrow down the search area, where the team successfully used side-scan sonar technology to locate the wreck in just a few hours.

History of the Steamboat and Its Maritime Journey

The steamboat was built in 1864 in Cleveland, Ohio, and operated on shipping routes between Cleveland and Lake Superior. The ship later suffered a collision in the St. Clair River in 1866 before being rehabilitated and returning to service.

Details of the Last Voyage and the Shipwreck

On October 13, 1872, the steamboat left the city of Milwaukee heading to Grand Haven, carrying 53 passengers and crew, in addition to a diverse commercial cargo. However, a violent storm caused it to sink, and the capsizing of one of the lifeboats resulted in the deaths of eight people, while other boats managed to reach the shore.

Condition of the Wreck and Its Scientific Importance

Surveys showed that the exterior of the wreck is covered with quagga mussels, while the interior parts made of oak remain relatively well-preserved, providing researchers with an opportunity to study shipbuilding techniques from that era.
This discovery is the fifteenth wreck found by Ehorn, amid growing interest in searching for sunken ships in the Great Lakes before they are damaged by environmental factors.