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Lower Great Lakes levels reveal Michigan wrecks

The remains of a wooden steamer built 125 years ago recently were uncovered in West Michigan because of lower Great Lakes water levels.
Associated Press
GRAND HAVEN Mich.
Dec 12, 2012
This Dec. 11, 2012 photo shows a painting of the ship Aurora from its sailing days provided by the Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary in Muskegon, Mich. The remains of the wooden steamer built 125 years ago recently were uncovered in West Michigan because of lower Great Lakes water levels.

The Muskegon Chronicle reports sections of the 290-foot steamer Aurora, which burned in 1932, and parts of at least four other shipwreck hulks were exposed by the receding waterline at Grand Haven near the edges of Harbor Island.

The Aurora is in the Grand River, which flows into Lake Michigan nearby.

Michigan Shipwreck Research Associates members and officials with the Tri-Cities Historical Museum in Grand Haven have surveyed the area. Valerie Van Heest, director of MSRA and a maritime historian, says this offers a rare chance to see wrecks without having to scuba dive.

The Great Lakes are shrinking because of drought and rising temperatures.

 

Comments

Randy_Marsh
Wed, 12/12/2012 - 2:17pm

I wonder if it will ever get so low that detroit will see the light of day, They have been underwater for at least 2 decades?

Good 2 B Me
Wed, 12/12/2012 - 2:39pm

Pictures would be neat. Are they not available?

FlyBoy86
Wed, 12/12/2012 - 2:54pm

I heard the ship's name was originally called, "Diversity."

4shizzle
Wed, 12/12/2012 - 2:58pm

Yes, I'd like to see pictures too.

Steamer84
Wed, 12/12/2012 - 6:04pm

For pics follow this link! http://photos.mlive.com/muskegon...

Good 2 B Me
Wed, 12/12/2012 - 10:30pm

Thanks Steamer84!

4shizzle
Wed, 12/12/2012 - 11:18pm

Thanks Steamer84

old dog
Thu, 12/13/2012 - 7:55am

Thanks for the link, Steamer84. Nice pictures and very inteesting to see.

Steamer84
Thu, 12/13/2012 - 4:52pm

No problem! I have family in Grand Haven and use mlive all the time! I was just there in August and know the location but I never would have thought a wreck was there!