19 Underwater Photos of Lake Erie Shipwrecks

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.

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Crystal at 120 feet. Photo credit: V. Dekina
Crystal at 120 feet. Photo credit: V. Dekina
The Acme was built in 1856 and was used to haul freight. She sunk on Nov. 4, 1867. Photo credit: V. Dekina
The Acme was built in 1856 and was used to haul freight. She sunk on Nov. 4, 1867. Photo credit: V. Dekina
Stern of the Carol Sue II. Photo credit: Mike and Georgann Wachter
Stern of the Carol Sue II. Photo credit: Mike and Georgann Wachter
Wheel of the schooner Belle Mitchell. Photo credit: Mike and Georgann Wachter
Wheel of the schooner Belle Mitchell. Photo credit: Mike and Georgann Wachter
Belle Mitchell. Photo credit: Mike and Georgann Wachter
Belle Mitchell. Photo credit: Mike and Georgann Wachter
The George Whelan sunk in 1930. Photo credit: V. Dekina.
The 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 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 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.
The anchor of the Brigantine C. It sits in 110-115 ft of water in Lake Erie.