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1864 Shipwreck Lac La Belle Discovered in Lake Michigan

2/18/2026

Summary

Story summary

Shipwreck World confirmed the Lac La Belle was located in Lake Michigan in October 2022, about 20 miles off Wisconsin's shore, following a tip from author Ross Richardson.
Paul Ehorn, an 80-year-old shipwreck hunter, recalibrated his search and found the Lac La Belle using side-scan sonar.
The steamer Lac La Belle was built in 1864 and sank during a gale on October 13, 1872, with eight fatalities.
The hull and oak interiors are mostly intact despite being covered in quagga mussels.

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Story summary

Shipwreck World confirmed the Lac La Belle was located in Lake Michigan in October 2022, about 20 miles off Wisconsin's shore, following a tip from author Ross Richardson.
Paul Ehorn, an 80-year-old shipwreck hunter, recalibrated his search and found the Lac La Belle using side-scan sonar.
The steamer Lac La Belle was built in 1864 and sank during a gale on October 13, 1872, with eight fatalities.
The hull and oak interiors are mostly intact despite being covered in quagga mussels.