Diving Chicago's Lake Michigan

Diving Lake Michigan

Chicago’s Underwater Secrets

By Barbra Annino

There are dozens of shipwrecks hidden beneath
the waters of Chicago's Lake Michigan.

The land-locked Midwest may not enjoy the vast beauty of the oceans, but Lake Michigan is as mysterious and dangerous as any deep sea. She has proven her power many times over, snatching vessels from the tips of waves and carrying them to her belly, forever claiming the crew and cargo as her own.

Wreckage from steamers, schooners, tugboats, barges and even a plane rest near the shoreline that stretches from Evanston to Lake Forrest, Illinois, just a skip from Chicago. Many are still intact, thanks to the kindness of the fresh water, and can be viewed on a diving expedition.

The Lady Elgin is probably the largest ship the lake has taken. Called the “Titanic” of the Great Lakes, the steamship perished with more than 300 lives on board near Waukegan in 1860.

One of the worst tragedies of the Great Lakes, she was returning from a political campaign in Milwaukee carrying members of Milwaukee’s Union Guard. On the way, the Lady Elgin collided with the Augusta, a wooden schooner that lost control and slammed into the Lady Elgin port side, after the wind accelerated to gale force.

Augusta was attempting to slide next to Lady Elgin, in hopes to receive assistance in the windy waters. Her hull was breached, but the smaller ship assumed they had taken the bigger hit. The Augusta continued on toward Chicago, while the crew of Lady Elgin attempted to patch her, to no avail.

The storm raged through her core, and she sank. Some passengers swam to shore, only to be overpowered by the surf. Some were saved, but most were lost to the lake.

The Material Service Barge is another maritime wreck. Popular because it is close to the shore and easy to reach, this vessel sank in 1936 intact and is one of the most complete wrecks of the North Shore. Her demise was investigated, but the cause of sinking was never proven.

Some say the boat cracked apart on the Calumet Shoals, others contend that her cargo hatches were left open, causing the area to flood. The truth lies with the 15 crewmen who fell to a watery grave.

A side-wheel steamboat named the Seabird is another victim of Lake Michigan. Apparently in 1868, an exhausted porter was discarding hot coals by tossing them overboard from the upper deck. A northeasterly wind blew the ashes back on the lower deck where straw and varnish tubs caught fire.

The flames consumed the lifeboats, and frantic attempts to head toward shore were in vain. Those aboard succumbed to the blistering heat or the frosty waters. Three passengers survived by hanging onto floating debris and rescued by nearby schooners.

Many diving companies offer tours of these shipwrecks. Whether you’re a neophyte or an old pro, trained professionals will guide the way to the hidden treasures and historical disasters entombed in the bed of Chicago’s Great Lake.

For further reading on maritime history, look to Chicago's North Shore Shipwrecks, by Mark S. Braun

Dive into Lake Michigan and discover these shipwrecks for yourself. The following are full service dive sites that offer training and equipment rentals: