Lake Michigan Wrecks
Your $35 non-refundable deposit to Madison Scuba will reserve your spot. The balance ($115) is due the day of the dive. Please refer to the descriptions of the individual dives for certification requirements.
Availability: In Stock
Wreck Dive Schedule for this Summer!
This summer we have four wreck dives scheduled in July and August as follows:
July 5th Lake Michigan Wreck Dive from Port Washington - Mahoning and Niagara
Join us for a two-tank dive on some great Lake Michigan wrecks. First is the Mahoning, which carried cargoes of timber and grain in the region. She'd been stranded in a gale, and later, while being towed to Milwaukee for repairs, capsized and sank. The wreck is broken up in 55 feet of water, with a portable steam pump lying not far away.
Second is the Niagara. The Niagara was a sidewheel steamer built in 1845 and sunk when it caught fire in 1856. Lying in 55 feet of water, the Niagara's hull is mostly intact, with parts of the engine and boilers exposed.
Being smaller vessels at relatively shallow depths, these are great for newer divers who would like to make their first explorations into wreck diving. A Deep Diving certification is not required for this charter, but a Wreck Diving certification or enrollment in the Wreck Diving certification course is.
Plan on being at the dock in Port Washington by noon.
The cost of this dive will be $150. A $35 deposit will be required to hold your place, with the remainder due on the day of the dive.
July 6th Lake Michigan Wreck Dive from Port Washington - Northerner and TBD
Join us for a two-tank dive on one of the most spectacular Lake Michigan wrecks at recreational depth, the Northerner. The Northerner was launched in 1850 and ran mostly cargoes of lumber on the lakes until she needed to be towed to Milwaukee for repairs in 1868. En route, she foundered and sank in about 140 feet of water not far from Port Washington. This is an excellent example of a wooden schooner of the mid-19th century, complete with the main mast still intact and some of the ornate carving on the rails and woodwork still visible. Whether we'll make two dives on the Northerner or visit another wreck for the second dive will be based on water conditions on the day of the dive. Because of the depth, both a Deep Diving and Wreck Diving certification are required. Please contact Eric V at [email protected] for more information.
Plan on being at the dock in Port Washington by noon.
The cost of this dive will be $150. A $35 deposit will be required to hold your place, with the remainder due on the day of the dive.
August 2nd Lake Michigan Wreck Dive from Milwaukee - Milwaukee Carferry
Join us for a two-tank charter on one of the most impressive recreational wreck dives in Lake Michigan, the car ferry SS Milwaukee. Launched in 1902, the Milwaukee was a roll-on roll-off train car ferry that ran cargo between Milwaukee and Michigan. In October of 1929, she was lost in a gale with a cargo that included grain, wood veneer, three automobiles, and bathtubs. This is a massive wreck lying in 120 feet of water, and the best way to see it all is to make separate dives on the bow and stern. Because of the depth, both a Deep Diving and Wreck Diving certification are required. Please contact Eric V at [email protected] for more information.
Plan on being at McKinley Marina in Milwaukee by 8 am.
The cost of this dive will be $150. A $35 deposit will be required to hold your place, with the remainder due on the day of the dive.
August 2nd Lake Michigan Wreck Dive from Milwaukee - Prins Willem V and TBD
Join us for a two-tank charter on one of the most popular recreational wreck dives in Lake Michigan, the Prins Willem V, also known affectionately as "The Willy". The story of this amazing wreck is too long to get into here, and can be told on the boat ride out. The Willy sank in 1956 after passing between a tug and a barge in poor visibility and taking damage to the hull. The Willy lies in 70 feet of water, but has been trenching itself into the lake bottom for several years.
This is a great dive for people newer to wreck diving. However, because of the depth, a Deep Diving certification is required in addition to a Wreck Diving certification or enrollment in the Wreck Diving certification course. Please contact Eric V at [email protected] for more information.
Plan on being at McKinley Marina in Milwaukee by 8 am.
The cost of this dive will be $150. A $35 deposit will be required to hold your place, with the remainder due on the day of the dive.
