Shipwreck discoveries disclosed in Northern Michigan

Shipwreck discoverer, Thaddius Bedford, chose to disclose the findings of the shipwrecks years after the initial discovery in order to be sure he was credited with the finds. One shipwreck is in the Grand Traverse Bay, but has not been identified as of yet. The other two were found in the Manitou Preserve. The Redfern was discovered in 2002 west of Betsie Point and an 85-foot steamer was found east of South Manitou Island. Read the full article at The Detroit Free Press.

One of the six most sought after Great Lakes shipwrecks found

Last Friday, Michigan Shipwreck Research Associates announced that they had found one of their six most-sought-after Great Lakes shipwrecks. Off the shore from South Haven and under about 230 feet of water they located the Hennepin. Despite its wooden hull, the Hennepin remains in favorable condition due to Lake Michigan's cold fresh water. Built in 1888, the Hennepin was converted into a self-unloader around 1901. As all Boat Nerds know, the self-unloader is the prototypical Great Lakes freighter on the lakes today.

In the 1920s the Hennepin was only used as a barge and towed due to its unstable hull. On August 18, 1927 she sunk in a squall midway between Chicago and its destination of Grand Haven. Attempts by the crew to save her were unsuccessful and all escaped safely aboard the tugboat.

Check out some underwater footage of the Hennepin shipwreck from WWMT Channel 3. The video is a little over two minutes long and provides some real neat shots of the wreck.

For some ultra clear underwater photos of the Hennepin head over to www.michiganshipwrecks.org. I am amazed at how well the wood has stood the test of time these 79 years.

Via WWMT News 3 out of Kalamazoo

Incredible Pictures of Shipwrecks in Lake Huron

The Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary put together an incredible slide show of a series of pictures from "shipwreck alley" in Lake Huron. It is amazing how clear the water is in these images. You can see wood decking and anchor chains as well as a ship's wheel. The slide show doesn't last too long and should be fine even with a dial up connection. Check it out.