Scuba diver John Janzen vividly recalls the moment when he realized the shipwreck in front of him was the long-lost Lac La Belle, noting the distinctive arches that confirmed its identity. Janzen, part of a team led by shipwreck hunter Paul Ehorn, successfully located the luxury steamer that sank in Lake Michigan in 1872. The discovery, announced by Shipwreck World in October 2022, concluded a search that spanned over six decades.
Ehorn, aged 80 and an experienced shipwreck hunter since his youth, received a crucial clue from fellow enthusiast Ross Richardson, leading to the breakthrough in finding the wreck using side-scan sonar. The history of Lac La Belle includes a previous sinking in 1866, subsequent salvage, and its tragic final voyage in 1872 from Milwaukee to Grand Haven, ending in a watery grave.
Despite being covered in quagga mussels, the wreck remains remarkably intact, with divers discovering remnants of its cargo, including deteriorating barrels of whiskey. The Great Lakes are known for their numerous undiscovered shipwrecks, prompting increased efforts to locate and document these historical sites. Janzen and Ehorn express their commitment to further expeditions, emphasizing the unpredictable and unforgiving nature of the lakes.