Most of us visit Lake Erie for mid-summer barbecues or afternoons on the boat, but have you ever considered what lies beneath our Great Lake’s surface? Some people have. In fact, whole communities have, such as the folks from Lake Erie Ship Wrecks, who have spent years diving and documenting their excursions in Lake Erie and beyond. We asked the Ship Wreckers, better known as Mike and Georgann Wachter, as well as one of their featured photographers, Vlada Dekina, if we could share some of their underwater images with our readers. Thankfully, they said yes. For additional info on Lake Erie dives, and any of the ship wrecks pictured here, visit eriewrecks.com and wrecksandreefs.com.
Lake Erie – Barge F
“Her deck was about 6-8 ft off the lake bottom and the holds were still visible but filled with silt.”Front of the unidentified barge. Photo credit: V. DekinaLake Erie – George Finnie
The wheel, though covered with zebra mussels, is still intact.Lake Erie – George Finnie
These eerie looking deadeyes, used to rig sails, are also fairly well preserved.George Finnie. Photo credit: V. DekinaThe John J. Boland was used to haul grain and other bulk loads across Lake Erie. She sank during a storm, taking four members of her 19-person crew with her. Photo credit: V. DekinaThe Boland was lost on Oct. 5, 1932. Photo credit: V. DekinaLake Erie – John J. Boland
During one grain run on Lake Erie near Barcelona, NY on Oct. 5, 1932 , a storm flipped the Boland and her crew of 19. The ship sunk in under five minutes. There were 15 survivors.This unidentified wreck nicknamed “Crystal” by the photographer rests at 120 feet. Photo credit: V. DekinaCrystal at 120 feet. Photo credit: V. DekinaCrystal at 120 feet. Photo credit: V. DekinaThe Acme was built in 1856 and was used to haul freight. She sunk on Nov. 4, 1867. Photo credit: V. DekinaStern of the Carol Sue II. Photo credit: Mike and Georgann WachterWheel of the schooner Belle Mitchell. Photo credit: Mike and Georgann WachterBelle Mitchell. Photo credit: Mike and Georgann WachterThe George Whelan sunk in 1930. Photo credit: V. Dekina.The Washington Irving was an 80-foot schooner built in 1845 in Cleveland. She was lost in July 1860 with all her crew. Photo credit: V. Dekina.The Dean Richmond package and passenger steamer was built in Cleveland. 18 people died when she went down.The anchor of the Brigantine C. It sits in 110-115 ft of water in Lake Erie.
