The Muskegon
Dive Type: Wreck
Water Body:Lake Michigan
Water Type: Lake
Area:
Location: Michigan City, IN
GPS: Lat 41.713497 Log -86.93428 approx
Site Map:
Directions:
Depth: 27′ (2010) – 32’ past seasons
Skill Level*: 3 (easy dive location and shallow)
Description:
Items of interest / lore:
The Muskegon was a wooden hulled steamer built in 1872 at Lafrinier, Cleveland with dimensions of 211′ x 39.9′ x 12.4′. In 1907 it was converted from the passenger and package freighter the Peerless and became a bulk freighter and then 1910 a sand sucker. On October 6th, 1910 while in service for a sand and gravel company the vessel caught fire at dock in Michigan City. She was scuttled to extinguish the flames and set adrift in deep water. The Muskegon eventually sank at her current location near Michigan City in 1911. While there was no loss of life with the sinking of The Muskegon there was tragedy connected to the wreck. The owners sent the J.D. Marshall, a 154-foot wooden “lumber hooker,” to salvage the Muskegon’s deck and sandsucking equipment in 1911. Outfitted with the Muskegon’s equipment the Marshall itself sank the following day, over laden and in heavy seas, and killing four men. The shipwreck has been surveyed and as of 1989 listed in the National Register of Historic Places (Site – #89000290).
The wreck site is shallow and within 200 yards from shore. It is easy to get to with a short boat ride from local boat ramps.
Current condition of the vessel is pretty broken up. Most of the exposed wood is covered in Zebra mussels with boards recently expose of sand being clear. The three bladed propeller is visible and would make a nice backdrop for an underwater photo. The boiler can be penetrated. Fish like to take refuge on the site with the most abundant being the goby.
Access: Boat via Public Access Boat Ramp
Hours: ??? Fees: $22 for use of the Michigan City Boat Ramp. Less expensive options are available.
Amenities: Boat ramp with bathrooms
Who has dove here: Bob, Kirk, David and Darrin
Dive History: Last club dive 5/1/2010 –
Site Links:
Site Photos:
Photo of Peerless (a.k.a. Muskegon) http://www.lakehuronlore.com/Photos/S-and-S-Ships-004-A.jpg (Photo – Dowling collection)
Link to dives:*(1 = Novice, 5 = Advanced, 10 = Technical)
Additional Resources:
http://www.boatnerd.com/swayze/shipwreck/m.htm
http://www.nationalregisterofhistoricplaces.com/IN/La+Porte/state.html
http://www.in.gov/dnr/historic/files/shipwreck.pdf
http://www.scubachicago.com/chicago_lake_michigan_scuba_shipwrecks.html
http://www.lakehuronlore.com/Steamboats%20and%20Sailing%20Ships.html
