A 57-year search for one of Lake Michigan’s most sought-after shipwrecks has finally ended, proving that American determination and persistence still triumph over the passage of time.
Story Highlights
- Illinois shipwreck hunter Paul Ehorn, 80, discovered the luxury steamer Lac La Belle after searching since 1965
- The 217-foot passenger vessel sank in 1872 during a fierce storm, claiming eight lives
- Modern sonar technology, combined with historical research, located the wreck in just two hours
- Invasive species threaten thousands of undiscovered Great Lakes shipwrecks, creating urgency for preservation efforts
Six-Decade Quest Ends in Triumph
Paul Ehorn spent 57 years searching for Lac La Belle, beginning his quest in 1965 at age 20. The Illinois shipwreck hunter announced the discovery in February, revealing he had actually located the wreck in October 2022 using side-scan sonar.
The delayed announcement came because Ehorn wanted to properly document the vessel before going public. This marks his 15th shipwreck discovery, demonstrating the value of dedication and expertise that transcends generational trends and quick-fix approaches.
Luxury steamer that sunk in Lake Michigan more than 150 years ago has been found | CBS https://t.co/jIXGyFmS1D Shipwreck World, a group that works to locate shipwrecks around the world, revealed Friday that a team led by Illinois shipwreck hunter Paul Ehron found the wreck of the… pic.twitter.com/ZqKocCXJKC
— Igor Os (@igor_os777) February 15, 2026
Historic Steamer’s Final Voyage
The Lac La Belle departed Milwaukee on October 13, 1872, carrying 53 passengers and crew along with substantial cargo, including 19,000 bushels of barley, 1,200 barrels of flour, 50 barrels of pork, and 25 barrels of whiskey. Built in Cleveland in 1864, the luxury steamer served as one of Lake Michigan’s most popular passenger vessels.
Approximately two hours into the voyage, the ship began leaking uncontrollably. Deteriorating weather conditions with massive waves extinguished the boiler fires, leaving the vessel powerless and at the mercy of the storm.
Tragedy Strikes in Storm
The captain attempted to return to Milwaukee, but fierce gale winds drove the crippled vessel south for hours. Around 5 a.m., the Lac La Belle sank stern-first approximately 20 miles offshore between Racine and Kenosha, Wisconsin. During the evacuation, one lifeboat capsized, resulting in eight deaths.
The ship had survived previous disasters, including a 1866 collision in the St. Clair River where it sank in 25 feet of water, only to be raised in 1869 and fully reconditioned—a testament to American resilience and the value placed on recovering what was lost.
Technology Meets Historical Detective Work
The breakthrough came when fellow wreck hunter Ross Richardson discovered a historical clue about a commercial fisherman who snagged an item specific to 1800s steamships.
This information significantly narrowed the search grid. Using modern side-scan sonar equipment, Ehorn and his dive partner Bruce Bittner located the wreck in just two hours on their second pass.
Ehorn described the search as solving a puzzle, noting that while many historical pieces were missing, persistence and proper methodology ultimately succeeded where speculation had failed for over a century.
Wreck Condition and Documentation
Divers John Janzen and John Scoles filmed the wreck in summer 2025 to create a detailed 3D photogrammetry model. Ehorn reports that while the exterior is covered with invasive quagga mussels and the upper cabins are gone, the 217-foot hull remains intact with oak interiors in good condition.
The vessel sits upright on the lakebed, with visible wooden framing and some cargo still aboard. The wreck’s preservation demonstrates that cold freshwater environments can better preserve historical artifacts than saltwater, making Great Lakes shipwrecks particularly valuable for historical research.
Race Against Invasive Species
The discovery carries added significance as invasive quagga mussels increasingly threaten Great Lakes shipwrecks. These destructive organisms attach to and gradually destroy wooden structures, creating urgency to locate and document the estimated 6,000 to 10,000 shipwrecks scattered across the Great Lakes.
Between 2024 and 2025, multiple significant wrecks were discovered, including the John Evenson, Margaret A. Muir, Milwaukee, and J.C. Ames. This acceleration in discoveries reflects both improved technology and growing recognition that preservation efforts cannot wait indefinitely while bureaucratic processes delay action.
Preserving American Maritime Heritage
The Great Lakes served as vital transportation corridors during 19th-century American expansion, with steamships moving passengers and cargo essential to regional economic development. The Lac La Belle represents this critical era when American ingenuity and commercial enterprise built the infrastructure supporting westward expansion.
Ehorn will present his findings at the 2026 Ghost Ships Festival in Manitowoc, Wisconsin, to share his knowledge with maritime enthusiasts and historians.
His work exemplifies how dedicated citizens preserve American history without government mandates or taxpayer funding, relying instead on personal commitment and collaborative effort within specialized communities.
Sources:
Luxury steamer that sunk in Lake Michigan more than 150 years ago has been discovered – CBS News
Pioneer Wreckhunter Finds Lake Michigan Passenger Steamer Lost for 130 Years – Shipwreck World
