Havana
The Havana
Dive Type: Rubble Wreck Water Body:Lake Michigan Water Type: Lake
Area: Location: Saint Joseph/ Benton Harbor, Michigan
GPS Degrees (WGS84)
Latitude 42.192267 Longitude -86.427183 approx
GPS Degrees, Minutes & Seconds
Latitude N42 11 32 Longitude W86 25 37
GPS
Latitude N42 11.536 Longitude W86 25.631
UTM
16N X 547296 Y 4671283
Site Map: Directions:
Depth: 52′ (2010)
Date Sank: 1887
Skill Level*: 3 (easy dive location and shallow)
Description:
Schooner, wood, 2-mast; Built 1871, 135 feet x 26x 11; Place of loss : 1 mi out, 5 miles N of St. Joseph, MI Lost in storm – 7 crew- 3 dies; Carrying : iron ore She was overloaded, she foundered in a gale. The survivors climbed the rigging of the mainmast as she went down. This came loose and shot 25 ft. into the air, but the tug HANNAH SULLIVAN was there to take them off. SULLIVAN’s crew got lifesaving medals for their heroic efforts. The wreck was located by a crew looking for a prop. The wreck lies in 50 feet of water with keelson, centerboard trunk, hanging knees, and floor framing exposed so divers can get a good view of this ship’s construction.
Current condition of the vessel is pretty broken up with lots of sand. Most of the exposed wood is covered in Zebra/Quaga mussels with boards recently exposed of sand being clear. The anchor chain is buried in the sand and stretched out to the anchor also now buried. Fish like to take refuge on the site with the most abundant being the goby and schulpin.
Items of interest / lore:
Access: Boat via Public Access Boat Ramp in Benton Harbor & /or Saint Joseph
Hours: ??? Fees: $6 for use of the Public boat launches in Benton Harbor or Industrial island.
Amenities: Boat ramp with bathrooms at the large BH launch and porta-john at the island launch.
Who has dove here: Most of the local wreck divers & All of the MUD Club .
Dive History: Last club dive 7/2010 –
Site Links: Site Photos: Photo of:
Link to dives:*(1 = Novice, 5 = Advanced, 10 = Technical)
