Waukegan North Area Wrecks II

11/7/2007 by Capt. Darrick Lorenzen | 1 Comments | 248 Views

The S.S.Wisconsin is my favorite wreck to dive on Southern Lake Michigan. I have dived the Wisconsin when there has been 100-foot visibility. Unlike shipwrecks in the Florida Keys that have been sunk as attractions, shipwrecks in the Great Lakes are “true” wrecks with great history, personal stories of courage and tragic loss of life. The Wisconsin is a perfect wreck for advanced divers with a good working knowledge of advanced skills, who are competent and confident in their ability. Technical divers will also enjoy this intact wreck with 1929 automobiles still in the cargo hold.  In season, from April until November, Captain Dale Bennett often dives this wreck several times per week. Captain Dale’s dive boat, the Enterprise disembarks from Waukegan North Harbor.

The S.S. Wisconsin was a steel steamer, passenger freighter 109-feet long, 40-foot beam and 21-foot draft. She was built in Wyandotte Wisconsin, 1881. The Wisconsin sunk 5 ½ miles East of Kenosha Wisconsin on October 29, 1929 in 130-feet of water. The ship foundered in a storm when some heavy castings, that were cargo, broke loose and punctured a hole in the hull. Nine lives were lost. Coast Guard rescue boats and a fishing tug rescued fifty-nine men. The Wisconsin is upright and mostly intact. The wooden superstructure was blown off when she sank. The wreck is very large and complicated. There are many points of entry for penetration and high potential for silting, entanglement and disorientation. Only experienced wreck divers should attempt penetrations. Level of dive experience recommended: Advanced Wreck with penetration training and experience if entry into the wreck is contemplated. Coordinates 42 31.960’ 87 42.523’

Be sure to read the article on the S.S. Wisconsin in our Premier Issue.

On 11/7/2007 MgicTwnger said:

Captain Dale + the Wisconsin = as good as it gets.