THE NORTHERNER (Departs from Port Washington Marina) |
|
The Northerner was a small, 81-foot, two-masted schooner built in 1859. It sank in heavy seas on November 29, 1868 southeast of Port Washington. The Northerner was carrying a cargo of rough timber when she sank. Today the Northerner lies upright and 95% intact in 135+ feet of water. Because of the depth of this wreck it is recommended only advanced divers attempt it. Caution should be used at this depth. |
|
THE TOLEDO(Departs from Port Washington Marina) |
|
The Toledo was a 179-foot, double-decked passenger and freight steamer built in 1854. The Toledo arrived in Port Washington on Oct. 22 1856, and anchored a short distance from port due to deteriorating weather. On Oct. 24 the storm had risen to a full gale and the anchor began to drag. It drifted past the harbor and hit the boulder reef outside the harbor. The vessel quickly went to pieces within sight of shore. 42 lives were lost. Today the remains of the Toledo can be found scattered in less than 20 ft. of water along the north breakwater at Port Washington. Shifting sand can uncover wreckage so divers may find new artifacts during any visit. Good dive for the basic diver. Visibility varies,usually about 15 feet. If you feel that you are up to a hefty swim, this could be a shore dive. |
|
THE ADVANCE (Departs from Sheboygan Marina) |
|
The Advance was a 117-foot, two-masted schooner. It was carrying a cargo of tan bark when it was caught in heavy seas. Six miles south of the Sheboygan Harbor, 3-feet of water was discovered in her hull. The Capt. set the ship's anchor and it continued to fill until it capsized.
The Capt. and 6 crewmen died within 200 ft. of shore.
The Advance was discovered in 1983 by fishermen. Today the Advance is broken up in 80-85 feet of water, although the centerboard trunk remains upright. Good dive for intermediate divers. It is located about 9 miles south of Sheboygan.
|
|
THE ATLANTA(Departs from Sheboygan Marina) |
|
The Atlanta was a 200-foot steamer built in 1891 for the Goodrich Transportation Company. The steamer caught fire on March 18, 1906 and sank about 14 miles south of Sheboygan. The ships cargo and 1 life were lost in the disaster. Today the Atlanta lies in 15-20 feet of water near shore, 14 miles south of Sheboygan. Debris as well as the wooden hull remain in shallow water. Good dive for beginners. Also makes a good night dive.
|
|
SELAH CHAMBERLAIN(Departs from Sheboygan Marina) |
|
The Selah Chamberlain was a workhorse of a steam barge. The vessel was built in 1873 and was 212 feet long and had a beam of 34 feet. The ship was commonly used to tow schooner barges up and down Lake Michigan. On October 13, 1886, the Chamberlain was bound for Escanaba Michigan from Milwaukee for a load of iron ore. In a thick fog only four miles northeast of Sheboygan, the Chamberlain collided with the steam barge John Pridgeon Jr. and sank in about 90 feet of water with in 15 minutes. Five of the crew was lost attempting to launch a lifeboat. Eleven others, including the captain, survived the disaster. |
| |
HETTY TAYLOR (Departs from Sheboygan Marina) |
|
A late-summer squall on Aug 26, 1880 claimed the schooner Hetty Taylor. The bow and mid-section of the Hetty Taylor are largely intact and only the stern is damaged. The Hetty Taylor has been the subject of many salvage attempts. One mast lies about 50 feet off the vessel's starboard beam. The other mast was recovered during on of the salvage efforts. There is an opportunity for experienced divers to penetrate the wreck, (Although Divers Delight strongly discourages any penetration of any wreck)the hold is large and open hatches provide easy access and exits. Depth of the wreck is 95-100 feet. |
|
MCMULLEN & PITZ DREDGE (Departs from Sheboygan Marina) |
|
This dredge, owned by the McMullen & Pitz company, was being towed to Sheboygan to work in the river when it sank in a storm between Sheboygan and Manitowoc. The accident occurred on November 18, 1919 and the wreck was discovered in 1984. The dredge will be found mostly intact. A crane boon extends the length of the vessel. There are large cleats, gears, boiler and other machinery. As always, Divers Delight advises against any penetration. Depth of the wreck is 80-85 feet. |
|
MILWAUKEE CARFERRY (Departs from South Shore Marina) |
|
The Milwaukee was a ferry that transported railroad cars and passengers between Wisconsin and Michigan ports. The 318 foot vessel is probably the second-largest ever lost on Lake Michigan. The Milwaukee was carrying 27 boxcars and 52 passengers and crew on Oct 22, 1929 when it ran into huge seas and was lost along with all aboard. This wreck lies upright in about 125 feet of water with her superstructure rising to about 90 feet. The vessel is intact with many box cars, still loaded with cargo, in the ship's massive hold. Divers should use extreme caution on this wreck due to the twisted cables that could cause entanglement. |
|
TUG GILLEN (Departs from South Shore Marina) |
|
Different sources say different things on this wreck. One sources say the tug sank while conducting cable test with the Coast Guard. Another source says it sank in heavy seas. But both sources agree that the tug went down in 1981. The Gillen was a 64 foot or 56 foot (again, same two sources with different information)wooden-hulled diesel fueled tugboat that lies intact in about 70 feet of water. Experienced divers have been known to penetrate the pilot house and engine room. Divers Delight strongly advises against penetrating this wreck. |
|
PRINS WILHELM V(Departs from South Shore Marina) |
|
"The Willie" is a more recent wreck. The 258-foot Dutch freighter went down on October 14, 1954 after it collided with another vessel. Built in 1948, she was carrying general merchandise when she went down. The 'Willie' currently lies on it's side in 65-70-feet of water. It is almost entirely intact, including the pilot house. Caution should be exercised if planning to penetrate the wreck as several divers have been lost to penetration. Good intermediate dive if not penetrating.
|
|
NORLAND (Departs from South Shore Marina) |
|
The Norland was a freighter and passenger steamer built in 1890 in Manitowoc, WI. She was 153 feet long with a 25-foot beam and was rated at 522 gross tons. The Norland had several owners and was pressed into service off the East Coast during WW1. She returned to the Great Lakes in 1921. The Norland went down in heavy seas on November 13, 1922. Today she lies in about 65 feet of water southeast of Milwaukee. She is broken up, but the boilers remain upright at a 48-foot depth. Good intermediate dive. Another one of Divers' Delight more frequented sites.
|
|
LUMBERMAN (Departs from Bender Park Waterfront-Oak Creek) |
|
The Lumberman was an early Great Lakes schooner built in 1862, and eventually rebuilt in 1889, 3 years before it was lost. The Lumberman was heading to Kewaunee, WI from Chicago to pick up a load of lumber. A spring storm with high winds caused the Lumberman to capsize. The captain was tangled in the rigging and was dragged under. He managed to free himself and he, as well as his crew, were rescued. Today the Lumberman lies upright in 65-70 feet of water. |
|
WISCONSIN (Departs from Simmons Island Marina-Kenosha) |
|
|
|
