A lot of Great Lakes history lies below the surface of the cold freshwater, ready to be studied. Thanks to the Michigan History Center, you now can find nearly 1,500 shipwrecks in the Great Lakes surrounding the state of Michigan via the Michigan Shipwrecks StoryMap website and mobile app.
The app allows users to search for shipwrecks by name or by location and then download the data to use for charts or PDFs. Pictures and other information, like accessibility if you’re a diver, paddleboarder or kayaker, are also available. The dive sites are all labeled by difficulty level: “B” for beginners, “I” for intermediate or “A” for advanced. The app also maps locations of lighthouses and boating access sites. The map will be updated as more ships are discovered and additional information becomes available.
“This new tool gives divers, kayakers, snorkelers and armchair explorers a chance to learn more about these underwater archaeological sites and the circumstances that led to the shipwrecks,” says Sandra Clark, director of the Michigan History Center. “It’s a wonderfully interactive way to help people connect with this part of Michigan’s maritime history.”
To learn more, visit michigan.gov/exploreshipwrecks.
