Shipwreck Hunters Reveal Secrets of Lake Michigan

by Jules Da Costa, age 16

Shipwreck hunters and maritime historians are fascinated by the history of shipping on the Great Lakes and their many shipwrecks. The Great Lakes of North America are some of the largest and deepest lakes on Earth. Thirteen shipwreck locations were identified in Lake Michigan alone last year, which makes 2023 a record year for these types of discoveries. The previous record was four shipwrecks discovered in 2016.

Lake Michigan is the second largest of the Great Lakes, and last year some of its most historic mysteries were uncovered. The amount of shipwrecks found in Lake Michigan in 2023 was quite unusual. In contrast, no shipwrecks were found in Lake Superior last year. One or two discoveries per year are typical. These lost ships were discovered by shipwreck hunters, divers, and even a little girl fishing with her dad. She pointed out a strange item at the bottom of the lake and it turned out to be the remains of the George L. Newman sailing vessel, which sank in 1871.

The reason for this record high of discoveries is speculated to be because of the dramatic water level changes in Lake Michigan. According to Adam Belche, a coastal engineer at Wisconsin Sea Grant, these changes in water levels move sand around, and the dramatic switch between the record low water levels in 2013 and the record highs in 2020 caused the sand bars to shift dramatically, revealing multiple lost shipwrecks.

It is speculated that a total of 780 shipwrecks are at the bottom of Lake Michigan, but only 250 have been found so far, according to maritime archeologist Tamara Thomsen. However, there are 36 shipwrecks in the Wisconsin Shipwreck Coast National Marine Sanctuary, which is in Lake Michigan along the coast of Wisconsin. These marine sanctuaries are appointed by the National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration to enhance the protection of areas with significant ecological and historical underwater features. Wisconsin was named the 15th national marine sanctuary in the United States in 2021.

The Great Lakes continue to be filled with mysteries, and with each discovery there’s history unfolded. These discoveries offer exciting opportunities for historians and engage public learning about the Great Lakes’ history. There is still so much to be uncovered.

[Sources: Wisconsin Historical Society; CNN; Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel]