Wreck Dive or Snorkel New Orleans Shipwreck, Thunder Bay, Michigan

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Sidewheel steamboats dominated the Great Lakes at the beginning of the “shipwreck century.” Before railroads, these fast ships proved the best way to travel. Tens of thousands of immigrants, ambitious entrepreneurs, and adventure-seeking tourists first explored the Midwest on these steamers. The sidewheeler Vermillion entered service in 1838. In 1842, the 151-foot steamer burned to the waterline, and several people died. A year later, the owners rebuilt the Vermillion, adding over 30 feet to its length. The ship steamed back into service in September 1844 as the 185-foot New Orleans. Before daylight on the foggy morning of June 13, 1849, New Orleans grounded on a reef between North Point and Sugar Island. Local fishermen rescued all of the passengers and crew. Today, large sections of the hull are preserved by Lake Huron’s cold, fresh water. A shallow 15-foot depth and crystal-clear water make New Orleans an ideal place for paddlers, snorkelers, and divers to explore.

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