Wreck Dive Schedule for this Summer!

It's been a while, but Wreck Dives are Back! This summer we have four wreck dives scheduled in June as follows:
 

June 15th and 16th leaving out of Sheboygan

15th - Hetty Taylor and Selah Chamberlain - 90 and 80 ft deep

16th - Hetty Taylor and I.A. Johnson - 90 and 80 ft deep

June 29th and 30th leaving out of Port Washington.

29th - Northerner and Mahoning - 130 and 50 ft deep

30th - Plane and Niagra - 100 and 60 ft deep

Please note that the dive sites may change because of weather and other factors.

 Meet at the marina around 9:00 am. Directions will be given to you upon sign-up. Cost is $140 total.

• $15 non-refundable deposit payable to Madison Scuba upon booking.
• $125 payable to Great Lakes Diving Center on day of dives.
• Rental gear is available for an additional cost from Madison Scuba.
• Advance Open Water certification with Deep specialty is required.

The Selah Chamberlain was registered as a steam barge in May 1873. She had a single deck and three masts. Within a year, another deck was added, thereby increasing her carrying capacity. She was generally used to transport items such as coal, iron ore, and wheat between Buffalo and Duluth. She was often seen towing a consort to further increase the carrying capacity.

The vessel Northerner lies upright and reasonably intact in 140 feet of water. The main mast is still in place, rising 75 feet above the deck. The stern mast had been recovered for a local museum. The hold still contains the cordwood cargo, and the logs are still stacked up to the deck openings. The deck cargo of wood was removed at Port Washington prior to the accident. The windlass, anchor chain, centerboard winch, bow spirit, and figurehead are still in place.

The main wreck of the Niagra lies in 55 feet of water and consists of the aft end of the ship; the bilge is broken just forward of the machinery; the side of the hull has broken at the turn of the bilge and lies flat alongside on the bottom. The central keelson and two-floor keelsons are extant, as are the vessel machinery, engine, walking beam, and triple firebox boilers (the last are north of the main wreck). The vessel's paddlewheels are extant but largely broken up: hub and inner spokes remain attached; the portside wheel is better preserved and still has portions of the buckets (or floats) articulated.

The Hetty Taylor sits on a sandy bottom five miles east of Sheboygan, Wisconsin in 105 feet of water. Visibility ranges from 10 to 50 feet, and water temperature in the summer varies from 40 to 60º Fahrenheit. The Hetty Taylor offers an exceptional opportunity to explore one of the many small coastal schooners that once connected the communities of Lake Michigan. However, due to the depth of the site, the dive is recommended for advanced divers only.

Aug 10th leaving out of Milwuakee

Prins Willem V and either the Gillen Tug or No 6 Dredge.

The dive boat departs from McKinley Marina at 1pm on August 10th, so meet at the marina by 11:30 on August 10th.

Diving the Prins Willem V and either the Gillen Tug or No 6 Dredge.

The Prins Willem V, known as the “Willie” is one of the most popular wrecks in Milwaukee. She lies intact on its starboard side at about 80ft, while the top side of the wreck can be reached at about 56ft making it a good beginner wreck diving site. While diving this wreck divers can observe the ship in its entirety including a mast on an angle, pilot house, companion ways, and the skylights into the engine room.

No 6 Dredge is a large crane barge that sits upside down and is held off the bottom with her boom. Divers can reach her top already at 30ft and the bottom is at about 70ft. It is a great introductory dive where diver can observe the barge’s machinery and structure.

The Gillen Tug is a small wreck that sits intact on the bottom at about 70ft. It is a relatively small site but it is a fun dive.