Scuba diver John Janzen vividly recalls the moment when he recognized the sunken ship before him as the Lac La Belle, noting its distinctive arches as the key identifier. Janzen, speaking with Nil Köksal on As It Happens, was part of a team led by Paul Ehorn, an Illinois shipwreck expert, in the quest to locate the 19th-century luxury steamer that had sunk in Lake Michigan in 1872. The remarkable discovery was finally made in October 2022, as announced by Shipwreck World, after years of diligent searching.
The revelation marks the culmination of a search spanning over six decades, spearheaded by Ehorn, who has been actively pursuing shipwrecks since the age of 15. The breakthrough in finding the Lac La Belle came in 2022 following a crucial clue from fellow enthusiast Ross Richardson, which provided a targeted search area. With this new lead, Ehorn utilized side-scan sonar technology, leading to the ship’s rapid discovery just two hours into their exploration on Lake Michigan.
The history of the Lac La Belle includes a prior sinking incident in 1866, with subsequent refurbishments. The fatal voyage in 1872 saw the vessel departing Milwaukee for Grand Haven, Michigan, laden with passengers and goods before succumbing to rough waters, leading to its tragic demise. The wreck, now covered in quagga mussels, remains relatively intact, though some structures are missing. Inside, remnants of the cargo, including deteriorating barrels of whiskey, were uncovered by divers.
The Great Lakes serve as the resting place for thousands of shipwrecks, many yet to be discovered, prompting increased efforts to locate and preserve these historical sites. Janzen expressed hopes for future expeditions, particularly with Ehorn’s unwavering dedication despite his age. While some may speculate on the Lac La Belle’s supposed curse, Janzen attributes its fate to the harsh reality of navigating the unpredictable forces of nature in the Great Lakes, emphasizing the inherent dangers posed by these unforgiving waters.