MADISON, Wis. — After nearly six decades of searching, the wreck of the luxury steamer Lac La Belle has finally been located in Lake Michigan, a discovery hailed by maritime enthusiasts and historians alike. The finding was announced by Shipwreck World, an organization dedicated to uncovering lost vessels. Led by veteran shipwreck hunter Paul Ehorn, the team pinpointed the wreck about 20 miles offshore between Racine and Kenosha, Wisconsin, in October 2022.
Ehorn, who began his quest for shipwrecks as a teenager, revealed that a colleague provided a crucial lead last year that significantly narrowed the search area. With the help of advanced side-scan sonar technology, the team identified the wreck after a mere two hours of scanning the lake’s depths. Ehorn described the experience as a satisfying puzzle, saying he hadn’t anticipated such a swift resolution.
Delayed by adverse weather conditions and additional commitments, the team held off on announcing the find to produce a detailed three-dimensional video model of the wreckage. Ehorn, now 80, has devoted over 60 years to this pursuit and expressed his joy at the long-awaited discovery of the Lac La Belle.
Constructed in 1864 in Cleveland, Ohio, the Lac La Belle was a 217-foot steamer that initially served the route between Cleveland and Lake Superior. Tragically, the vessel met its demise during a storm on October 13, 1872. After departing Milwaukee with 53 individuals on board and a cargo consisting of barley, pork, flour, and whiskey, the ship began to leak uncontrollably shortly into its journey. The captain attempted to return to harbor, but powerful waves ultimately extinguished her boilers, leading to her sinking. Of those aboard, eight perished when one of the lifeboats capsized, though others reached the shore safely along the Wisconsin coastline.
Current visuals of the wreck indicate that, while its upper cabins have deteriorated, the hull remains largely intact and its oak interiors are surprisingly well-preserved, despite being covered with invasive quagga mussels. The Great Lakes are known for housing thousands of undiscovered shipwrecks, with estimates ranging from 6,000 to 10,000, according to researchers at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
Shipwreck hunting has intensified in recent years due to concerns over the damaging effects of invasive species on these historical artifacts. Ehorn’s latest find marks the 15th shipwreck he has uncovered throughout his long career, illustrating both his dedication and the growing urgency to locate and preserve these remnants of maritime history.
As Ehorn reflects on his achievement, he recognizes the increasing difficulties of finding remaining undiscovered ships in the region. “Now it’s on to the next one,” he stated, implying that the quest for submerged history continues. As interest in maritime archaeology grows, the story of the Lac La Belle serves as a reminder of the treasures lying beneath the waters, waiting to be brought back to light.