You won’t believe this, but there are around 6,000 sunken ships scattered across the Great Lakes, and about 1,500 of those are nestled in Michigan’s local waters. That’s probably why Michigan decided to start setting up Underwater Preserve Sites back in 1980. The most recent one they established was the Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary and Underwater Preserve in 2000, which is one of only 13 national marine sanctuaries in the whole of the United States, managed by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).
These Underwater Preserves in Michigan are here to protect all those shipwrecks lying on the bottom of the Great Lakes, making sure they’re still around for future generations to explore and learn from. Just remember, you can’t take anything or move anything around without a permit – it’s against the law.
Closer to where I live, in Michigan’s Upper Thumb, there are two underwater preserves – the Sanilac Shores and the Thumb Area Underwater Preserves.
The Sanilac Shores preserve is home to some of the most spectacular Michigan shipwrecks on the Great Lakes. One that really stands out is the wreck of the Regina, a 250-foot steel package freighter that sunk during the Great Storm of 1913 and was discovered in 1986. This ship is upside down in 80 feet of water and rises 25 feet from the bottom. The cargo is scattered all over the bottom and visibility can range from 5 to 25 feet.
Sanilac Shores is also where the Sport, a 57-foot steel-hulled tugboat, rests after sinking in a gale in December 1920. The debris of the schooner Checotah and steamer New York lie in deeper waters, about 120 feet down. Diving to these ships is only recommended for advanced divers, as they’re located within a few hundred yards of each other. Another popular dive site is the Mary Alice B, which is in 94 feet of water and is completely intact. Other vessels in the preserve include the North Star, Col. A. B. Williams, and Eliza H. Strong.
The Thumb Area Underwater Preserve offers both wrecks and natural attractions in its 276 square miles of open water. Near Grindstone City marina, you can find remnants of large grindstones along the shore. The current high water level of Lake Huron means that only snorkelers and divers will be able to see the last vestiges of the Upper Thumb’s primary industry. If you’re feeling adventurous, you can visit the caves near the edge of the reef near Port Austin Lighthouse.
There are ten significant shipwrecks in the Thumb Area Underwater Preserve in Lake Huron. The dangerous shoals and limestone reefs in this area have claimed many ships as they made their turn into Saginaw Bay and Bay City. Historian Bob Wiltse has said that the ship traffic during the lumbering era was similar to today’s highways.
Two of the Michigan shipwrecks, the Philadelphia and Albany, sank as a result of a collision in 1893. Both rest in deep water in the preserve, with the Philadelphia sitting upright at 130 feet and surprisingly still in one piece. Divers say that the 236-foot ship still has a cookstove resting on the deck. The Albany, a 267-foot steel steamer, is just southwest of the Philadelphia in 150 feet of water. It sank while being towed after the collision. Both ships are for advanced divers, with visibility between 5 to 15 feet.
The Chickamauga, which sank in 1919, is a popular dive for recreational divers. It’s located only half a mile east of Harbor Beach in 35 feet of water. This 322-foot, double-deck schooner is one of many ships in the preserve, which also includes the Enterprise, Iron Chief, Dunderburg, Hunter Savidge, Glenorchy, and Governor Smith.
The Michigan History Center has created a really useful map that includes all the shipwreck information for each of the 13 underwater preserves. You can zoom in on a specific area and get more information on a particular wreck. You can search for a shipwreck by name or location, and even create and print off your own Lake Michigan shipwreck map or Lake Huron shipwreck map.
The shipwrecks of Michigan map works great on smartphones or tablets so it’s perfect when you’re out and about. You can discover Michigan shipwrecks to snorkel, kayak, paddle-board and dive. It will also give you GPS coordinates and indicate the experience level and depth for divers at Michigan shipwreck locations.
Discover the fascinating world beneath the Great Lakes with Michigan’s underwater preserves, protecting thousands of shipwrecks for future generations to explore. Dive deep into history, from the Regina’s tragic end during the Great Storm of 1913 to the Philadelphia’s surprising intactness at 130 feet deep. But remember, leave only bubbles, take only pictures – it’s against the law to disturb these underwater treasures. Grab your gear, check out the interactive map, and get ready for an adventure. #MichiganShipwrecks #UnderwaterPreserves
See the original post at [Michigan Shipwrecks – Find and Dive – Interactive Map](https://thumbwind.com/2020/01/18/michigan-shipwrecks/)
