Shipwreck of the Vernon, Two Rivers, Wisconsin

On October 25, 1887, the Vernon set out for Mackinac Island making periodic stops to pick up cargo and passengers. The 158ft wooden passenger and cargo ship found herself in a gale 8 miles northeast of Two Rivers Wisconsin and took between 40 and 50 people down with her into frigid sub-40-degree waters to a depth of 205ft. The only survivor was found two days later on a small boat. She might have been overloaded and her cargo doors were open. In my opinion, she is one of the most impressive Lake Michigan shipwrecks above 220ft.

She is very well preserved and intact, listing on a 20-30 degree angle on her starboard side. Some cargo is scattered on her starboard side debris field and inside her holds. At max depth of 190ft, narcosis was pretty apparent. I stuck to the dive plan until I saw a nice entry point into the wreck with an obvious exit point — Walter was hanging out in the cut. Continued to follow the wreck but realized we were descending and scraped 190ft as we exited through the other side. Jitka Hanakova was taking photographs and Ellery was using a GoPro — the best video of the Vernon to date. Next to the Sandusky and the Eber Ward, the Vernon was the most impressive shipwreck I have seen in Lake Michigan. Can't wait to get back into her cargo holds. VIDEO: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XXZahUG6D_M. Photos by Jitka Hanakova (shipwreckexplorers.com) and Ellery Kretlow.