Long-Lost Lac La Belle Steamer Discovered in Lake Michigan After 150 Years
In a remarkable maritime breakthrough, searchers have located the wreck of the Lac La Belle, a passenger steamer that vanished into the depths of Lake Michigan more than a century and a half ago. This vessel, often described as one of the "most sought-after missing ships," was found by dedicated shipwreck hunter Paul Ehorn, culminating a search that spanned nearly 60 years.
Decades of Persistence Lead to Historic Find
Paul Ehorn, an 80-year-old scuba diver and seasoned shipwreck enthusiast, made the discovery in October 2022, though the announcement was delayed to allow for the creation of a detailed three-dimensional video model. Ehorn, who has been hunting shipwrecks since he was 15, began his quest for the Lac La Belle in 1965. Using a crucial clue from fellow hunter Ross Richardson, he narrowed his search grid and, with side-scan sonar, pinpointed the wreck in just two hours about 20 miles offshore between Racine and Kenosha, Wisconsin.
"It's kind of a game, like solving a puzzle," Ehorn remarked, expressing his elation at the find. "Sometimes you don't have many pieces, but this one worked out perfectly." He declined to disclose the specific clue that led to the breakthrough, highlighting the competitive nature of shipwreck hunting.
The Tragic Voyage of the Lac La Belle
According to historical accounts from Shipwreck World, the Lac La Belle embarked on a fateful journey from Milwaukee to Grand Haven, Michigan, in October 1872. Carrying 53 passengers and crew, along with a cargo of 19,000 bushels of barley, 1,200 barrels of flour, 50 barrels of pork, and 25 barrels of whiskey, the luxury steamer encountered disaster just two hours into the trip. A severe leak forced the captain to turn back, but massive waves extinguished the boilers, and the storm drove the ship south. By 5 a.m., lifeboats were launched, and the vessel sank stern-first.
Tragically, one lifeboat capsized, resulting in eight fatalities, while others reached the Wisconsin coast. The Lac La Belle, originally built in 1864 in Cleveland, Ohio, had previously sunk in the St. Clair River in 1866 after a collision but was raised and reconditioned in 1869.
Preservation and Future Revelations
Ehorn reported that the ship's exterior is now encrusted with mussels, and the upper cabins have deteriorated, but the hull remains intact with oak interiors in good condition. This discovery adds to the estimated 6,000 to 10,000 shipwrecks in the Great Lakes, many of which remain hidden. Hunters like Ehorn are racing against time, as invasive quagga mussels threaten to slowly destroy these underwater relics.
The Lac La Belle marks Ehorn's 15th shipwreck find, a testament to his lifelong dedication. "It was one more to put a checkmark by," he said, noting that future searches will be increasingly challenging as easier targets have been located. He plans to showcase the discovery at the 2026 Ghost Ships Festival in Wisconsin, presenting videos and images to share this piece of history with the public.
