As we fished last weekend, we watched a freighter slowly disappear in the fog. Then later, we moved around a permanent mooring buoy marking the location of the Ironsides steamer. Resting in 120 feet of water, it attracts fish, but also needs to be given respect lest fishing lines are caught in the wreckage. But the main reason for the buoy is for the safety of divers, and the preservation of the wreck.
The 218 foot Ironsides sunk September15th, 1873 and is part of the West Michigan Underwater Preserve which promotes scuba diving and conservation. Thirteen such expansive preserves protect a multitude of shipwrecks by law.
Ironsides continues to deteriorate as major storms still impact the wreck in the relatively shallow waters. Another ship, the John V Moran shipwreck of 1899 rests in 365 feet of water. It is in stunningly good condition as seen on the below video.
The captain of the Ironsides had attempted three times to make the safety of the Grand Haven channel, failing each time during the gale. It is believed that the ship bottomed out on the sand during one attempt as evidenced by the propeller damage seen in the wreckage. He eventually made the decision to ride out the storm just offshore. But as Ironsides began to sink, the passengers and crew exited with five lifeboats… only two made it to shore. Three capsized in the surf. It is believed 20 lives were lost.
The captain of the John V Moran faced a quite different crisis as his ship began to sink in the icy February waters of 1899. Stay with the slowly sinking ship, or walk across the ice for three miles to the safety of another ship… the Naomi. Choosing the latter option, three men set off across the ice in sub zero temperatures with only lanterns lighting their way. Hailing the ship, the Naomi plowed thru the ice to get closer to the John V Moran… saving everyone as the walked across the ice.
Well over 1,500 shipwrecks on Lake Michigan alone. Each with a story to be told.