Great Lakes Documentaries

Explore the Depths:

The Art of Shipwreck Diving in the Great Lakes

Welcome to Michigan Diver LLC, where we celebrate the allure of shipwreck diving in the Great Lakes. Our collection of documentaries delves into the rich maritime history and the breathtaking underwater landscapes that make this region a diver's paradise.

The Great Lakes are home to over 6,000 shipwrecks, each telling a tale of adventure, tragedy, and resilience. From the ill-fated Edmund Fitzgerald to the ghostly remains of long-lost freighters, these sunken treasures lie beneath the waves, waiting to be discovered. Our documentaries showcase the incredible stories behind these wrecks, exploring their historical significance and their condition over time.

Join us on a journey through time as we feature expert interviews, stunning underwater cinematography, and gripping narratives that bring these sunken ships to life. Whether you’re a diving enthusiast, a history buff, or simply curious about the mysteries of the deep, our films provide an immersive experience that captivates and educates.

Dive into the adventure and discover why shipwreck diving in the Great Lakes is not just a hobby—it's a passion. Browse our collection today and experience the magic beneath the surface!

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Dive Log 2017: Under the Thumb

Rediscovering the Forgotten Shipwrecks of the Thumb Area

In the summer of 2017, Cindy & Mike Lynch and Chris Roth embarked on an exciting journey to explore the Thumb Area’s previously discovered but largely forgotten shipwrecks. The quagga mussel explosion has dramatically altered the appearance of these rarely visited wrecks, but it has also brought with it incredible visibility, offering a fresh perspective on these underwater treasures.

Join the trio, along with some of their friends, as they re-explore shipwrecks such as the Emma Nielsen, E.P. Dorr, Hunter Savidge, James W. Curran, John A. McPhail, and several others. Reflect on their adventures in “Dive Log 2017: Under the Thumb.”

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Flashback: A Fresh Look and Some Treasures from the Past!

Exploring the Evolving Shipwrecks of the Thumb Area

In the summer of 2018, Cindy & Mike Lynch and Chris Roth once again teamed up to explore the Thumb Area’s previously discovered but largely forgotten shipwrecks. Modern-day visibility has revealed that our shipwrecks are in a constant state of change, sometimes drastically. We also discovered that shipwrecks are sometimes constructed differently than originally thought. The exceptional visibility has allowed us to document broken-up shipwrecks in ways that were never possible before.

Join us as we explore the Tug Fred Lee and witness the dramatic changes that have occurred over time. We also correct the documentation on the Schooner Arcturus and take a close look at the Steamer Iron Chief.

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The Forgotten Souls of 1913

The Tragic Tales of the Great Storm of 1913

The Great Storm of 1913 left a trail of devastation across the Great Lakes, with Lake Huron bearing the brunt of the shipping industry’s losses. Eight giant steamers sank, and many more were left stranded on reefs and beaches. While some of these ships have been recently discovered or remain to be found, several have been extensively documented and are now popular dive sites. However, a few were discovered many years ago and lie in deep water, with their stories largely forgotten.

Join us as we visit two of these forgotten steamers, the Argus and John McGean, and explore the breathtaking toll that Mother Nature inflicted on these massive ships during the greatest storm ever to hit the Great Lakes.

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Ice Bound

Exploring the Hidden Shipwrecks of the Great Lakes

An untold number of shipwrecks rest at the bottom of the Great Lakes. Many of these were explored by earlier generations of divers but remained unidentified. With advancements in technology and improved water clarity, we now have the opportunity to take a fresh look and document these sites more thoroughly. Several such shipwrecks are located in and around the Thumb Area Bottomland Preserve. Join us as we investigate one of these fascinating sites.

Using new technology and equipment, along with enhanced visibility, we have finally identified the schooner Artic after 170 years on the bottom of Lake Huron. This shipwreck, located within the Thumb Area Bottomland Preserve, is close to other popular dive sites and will be a fantastic addition to the diving attractions off the Thumb.

Later in the summer, we will venture offshore to explore a pristine, rarely visited steamer. Upright and remarkably intact, this shipwreck is a true Great Lakes treasure. Finally, we will visit sites within snorkeling depths just off Grindstone City, MI. The remains of this shipwreck exhibit many design features typical of the utility “Mackinaw type” sailing vessels used throughout the 1800s and early 1900s.

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Solving Huron's Mysteries

The Quest to Identify Shipwrecks

Every diver dreams of discovering a shipwreck. However, the real challenge begins after the discovery, as identifying the find and telling its final story can be complex.

With the mussel invasion in the Great Lakes, the days of finding a name on the side of the ship or an enrollment number are mostly gone. The deep depths and distant offshore locations of these targets make accurate documentation even more challenging.

Explorers must gather all available information about the site and compare it to historical records, often over a century old, to make an educated guess about the identity. This can be a slow process, extending over several dive seasons, and sometimes we don’t get it right the first time.

Our team of divers, historians, and shipwreck enthusiasts have combined their resources to solve some of these mysteries and write the final chapter in the histories of five ships.

Drawings by Robert McGreevy. For more information about the artist, please visit www.McGreevy.com

CONTACT
US

Have Michigan Diver present one of our documentaries at your next event...

Address

Port Austin
967 Port Austin Road
Port Austin, MI 48467

Attica
1265 Mitchell Lake Road
Attica, MI 48412

Contacts

Email: info@michigandiver.com
Phone: (810) 214-0082

Links

Michigan Shipwreck Preserves
Thumb Area Charter Captains