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About
the Straits -
Map
Located between the Lower and Upper Michigan Peninsulas,
the Straits of Mackinaw are a resort community for both
divers and non-divers. St. Ignace, Mackinaw City and Mackinac
Island combined offer fabulous diving and plenty of non-diving
activities. For the shopper, there are many unique gift
shops to explore. Others will enjoy the historical buildings
and forts, museums, parks, gambling, par sailing, biking,
jet skiing, carriage and horseback riding, or viewing
the many natural sites in the area. This area has been
a resort community since the middle 1800's and ranks high
in national ratings as a vacation destination. There are
plenty of hotels, restaurants and amenities for every
budget.
Specific
Activities Available Near the Straits
If the normal activity level isn't enough to inspire you
to visit the Straits of Mackinaw, maybe the special events
in the area will help. Events such as the Lilac Festival,
Antique and Classic Auto Show, the Hot Rod Show, Annual
Memorial Day and Craft Shows, Music in Mackinaw, or the
Fourth of July Celebration (see the related web site for
dates and details).
Diving
Conditions
The shipwreck diving in the "Straits" is great
and can be enjoyed by the novice all the way to the technical
diver. There are several books written about the diving,
history surrounding the wreck, and other facts about the
ship and diving conditions (see the book list). Water
temperatures at the surface range from 38 degrees in early
May to 65 degrees in mid July through September. Depending
on the weather conditions, visibility at depth can be
as good as 50 feet, with a consistent promise of approximately
20 feet. There are at least 20 shipwrecks in this area
worth seeing, most are completely intact and reachable
within recreational diving limits. The boat ride to these
sites typically is less than 30 minutes.
Book
List
Steve Harrington's Divers Guide to Michigan
Dr. Charles Feltner's Shipwrecks of the Straits of Mackinaw
Chris Kohl's The 100 Best Great Lakes Shipwrecks
Related
Web Sites of the Area
Lodging
See the above web site for camping and many hotels
offerings.
Dive
Location (Names, Depths, and About the Wrecks)
Cayuga
98' 290' steel ship w/two decks, 4 masts, round stern,
plain stem. Upright and intact has easy penetration with
spare propeller blades stored aft on the lower deck. Has
machinery and pontoons that were used in salvage attempt.
Cedarville
105' 588' steel freighter w/ one deck, 2 masts, round
stern, curved stem. Intact and lying on her starboard
side, this wreck has confused many a diver who penetrates,
some have been trapped. There is much to see from the
outside of this ship.
Colonel Ellsworth 84' 137' wood ship w/one deck, 3 masts,
square stern and plain stem. Intact with a windlass, mast
and mast doubler lye on bottom off port bow. Easy penetration
with many deck fittings.
Eber Ward
140' 213' wood ship w/two decks, 1 mast, round stern
and plain stem. Top deck is in approx. 113' of water.
2 anchors and 1 mushroom anchor present with engines,
unusual cargo unloading machinery and tools present. Lifeboat
off the starboard stern.
Fred McBrier
104' 161' wood ship w/one deck, 2 masts, round stern,
plain stem. Lies upright and mostly intact with a lot
of machinery present.
J.H. Tiffany
103' 137' wooden ship, somewhat broken up and lies near
the Cayuga. A good second dive after the Cayuga.
James R. Bentley
150' 178' wood ship w/one deck, 3 masts, square stern,
and figurehead. Upright and intact with mizzenmast still
present. Belaying pins, anchors, windlass, and ground
tackle w/figurehead under the bowsprit.
M. Stalker
85' 135' wood ship, upright and intact. The stern
is broken apart w/windlass, centerboard, bilge pump, some
mast sections wire rigging, centerboard winch. Hard wreck
to visit due to being in ferry traffic.
Maitland
84' 133' wooden ship with one deck, 3 masts, square stern
and plain stem. Divers can penetrate this intact wreck.
Has a raised forecastle, windlass and many deck fittings.
Milwaukee
96' 185' wood ship, upright but broken up. The propeller
and windlass are still present. Good second dive after
the Cayuga.
Minneapolis
124' 226' wood ship, upright and intact. Has a large fire
box boiler, single-cylinder low-pressure steam engine
and a 12' four blade propeller and a donkey steam engine.
Often a strong current on this ship.
Northwest
73' 223' wood ship broken up. Have a donkey steam engine
and other machinery. This is an interesting dive, but
can be confusing due to the disarray of wreckage.
St. Andrew
61' 135' wood ship upright and mostly intact. Easy dive
with windlass, centerboard and bow in good condition
Sandusky
83' 110' wood ship upright and intact. Scroll figurehead,
bowsprit, jib boom and two anchors, dead eyes, old boots,
wood stove and belaying pins still can be seen. Very popular
wreck.
Newell Eddy
170' Wood ship with three masts and crow's nest, capstan
and donkey steam engine for anchors. Lots of lines that
can tangle with visibility no more than 10'
Uganda
207' 291' wood ship upright and intact. Center cabin
still standing w/anchors, mechanical equipment, engines
and boilers. Can be a strong current and extreme depth
makes this a dangerous dive.
William H. Barnum
74' 218' wood ship upright and mostly intact. Engines,
boilers, windlass and other machinery are still present.
Slight penetration under the forward deck is available.
Great depth and relaxing dive, this wreck has many fish
and crawfish present.
Chuck's Barge
43' Commonly called the "dump scow" this small
barge has large openings with hinged doors to allow debris
to drop through hull to the lake bottom
Mack. Isl. Harbor Wreck
52' 100' long and 22' wide this wreck is partially covered
by the break wall in Mackinaw Island Harbor. Presumed
to be a sailing vessel a centerboard with no propellers.
Observation Tower 60' Used as surveyor's platform for
engineers during bridge construction
Charter
Boat Information
Diver Pickup Location: Shepler Ferry Dock in St. Ignace
Michigan
Boat Name: Outfoxed
Boat Type: 32' Trojan Express w/twin engines
Parking: Shepler parking lot next to launch
Departure Times
AM Trips…. Divers need to be loaded and read to leave
at 8:00 am
PM Trips…. Divers need to be loaded and read to leave
at 1:00 p.m.
Safety Equipment on Board: Emergency Oxygen, first aid
kit, flames, dive and hailing flag
Air Fills: 75 yards from where Outfoxed is moored
Phone Number: 616-485-7778
Tips
- Plan
your hotel or camping on the St. Ignace side of the
Mackinaw Bridge to reduce your travel time to and from
the boat.
- There
is plenty for families and friends to do while the diver
is diving in the Straits, make plans for an extended
weekend to show them a good time.
- Use
www.mapquest.com to find the fastest route to this dive
destination
Brochures
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