Veteran Diver Discovers the Long-Lost 66-Meter Lac La Belle Shipwreck in Lake Michigan

After more than sixty years of dedication, an octogenarian shipwreck enthusiast has successfully pinpointed the resting place of the Lac La Belle, a wooden steamship that disappeared in Lake Michigan back in October 1872. This breakthrough resolves a decades-long mystery and reveals more about one of the region's most elusive shipwrecks.

Once a favored steamship on Lake Michigan, the Lac La Belle vanished amid a fierce storm, with its location remaining a maritime enigma despite multiple expeditions.

Utilizing side-scan sonar combined with newly uncovered historical data, the wreck was discovered standing upright on the lake floor. The find was confirmed by Shipwreck World, the team responsible for this significant achievement, closing a chapter of Great Lakes history that spans over a century and a half.

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Decades of Perseverance Culminate in Success

The wreck was identified in October 2022 by Paul Ehorn and his crew, although the discovery was not shared publicly until February 13, 2026. According to the Associated Press, this delay allowed the team to create a detailed 3D video of the site, as adverse weather prevented another visit until the summer months. Now 80 years old, Ehorn has devoted more than six decades chasing leads on the Lac La Belle.

“As a woodworker myself, I appreciate the hand craftsmanship that went into these early vessels. The Lac La Belle was close to home for me and is a wreck that’s always been on my radar.” he said in a statement released by Shipwreck World.

Only two hours of scanning with side-scan sonar were required to spot the wreck, thanks in part to new research contributed by maritime expert Ross Richardson. This brief search sharply contrasts with the many years Ehorn invested in the pursuit.

The Lac La Belle's stern, revealing the absent propellers. Credit: Paul Ehorn

The Ship’s Final Voyage

Constructed in 1864 in Cleveland, Ohio, the 66-meter steamship initially sailed routes connecting Cleveland to Lake Superior. After repairs following an earlier mishap in 1869, it was sold in 1871 to the Englemann Transportation Company of Milwaukee, as reported by Shipwreck World.

On October 13, 1872, the Lac La Belle set off from Milwaukee bound for Grand Haven, Michigan, with 53 people aboard, including crew and passengers, as well as cargo comprising barley, pork, flour, and whiskey. Merely two hours into its journey, the ship inexplicably started flooding.

Wooden steamships like the Lac La Belle incorporated longitudinal arches for added stability. Credit: Paul Ehorn

Astonishing Preservation of the Wooden Structure

Ehorn reported that the ship’s hull was found standing upright and mostly preserved. While its exterior is now covered in mussels, much of the oak framework inside remains exceptionally intact.

“Although her superstructure is blown off, you can see all of her wooden framing and some of her cargo is visible,” he explained.

The oak interior wood has survived in remarkable condition, allowing parts of the vessel’s framework and some of its cargo to still be visible on the lakebed. This marks the fifteenth shipwreck found by Paul Ehorn, who notes that new discoveries are becoming increasingly rare.