Lost Since 1872: Historic Lake Michigan Shipwreck ‘Lac La Belle’ Discovered Upright and Remarkably Intact After Nearly 150 Years

LAKE MICHIGAN — One of the Great Lakes’ most sought-after missing ships has finally been found. The steam-powered vessel Lac La Belle, which vanished during a violent storm in October 1872, has been located nearly 150 years later — resting upright and astonishingly well-preserved at the bottom of Lake Michigan.

The discovery ends a mystery that has lingered since the 19th century and adds another remarkable chapter to Great Lakes maritime history.

A Stormy Night in 1872

The Lac La Belle disappeared during a powerful fall gale on Lake Michigan in October 1872. Like many vessels navigating the unpredictable waters of the Great Lakes during that era, the ship was overtaken by severe weather. For generations, the exact location of the wreck remained unknown. Historians and maritime enthusiasts long considered it one of Lake Michigan’s most intriguing missing vessels.

Wreck Found Upright and Intact

The shipwreck was located by explorer Paul Ehorn, who identified the vessel sitting upright on the lakebed. Images from the dive show:

• The bow standing tall and intact
• Railings still visible along the deck
• Structural features remarkably preserved
• Sonar imagery confirming the vessel’s full outline

Underwater photographs reveal a haunting yet powerful sight: the ship’s hull rising from the depths, its propeller still in place, and deck structures coated in decades of mineral buildup.

The cold, fresh waters of Lake Michigan are known for preserving shipwrecks far better than saltwater environments. The lack of salt slows corrosion, allowing wooden and metal components to remain in surprisingly good condition for more than a century.

Why This Discovery Matters

The Great Lakes have claimed thousands of ships over the past two centuries, earning the region a reputation as one of North America’s most significant underwater maritime graveyards.

Lake Michigan alone holds an estimated 1,500 shipwrecks.

The discovery of Lac La Belle is significant because:

• It resolves a long-standing historical mystery
• It provides new archaeological insight into 19th-century Great Lakes shipping
• It preserves a tangible link to maritime commerce of the 1800s

For historians and researchers, finding the wreck upright offers a rare opportunity to study the ship’s design and structure in its near-original resting position.

A Connection to Illinois and the Western Shore

Lake Michigan borders Illinois, including communities along the western shoreline such as Chicago and the greater suburban region.

For readers in Naperville and across DuPage County, this discovery highlights the deep maritime history connected to the lake that shapes regional weather, commerce, and recreation today. The same waters that influence winter lake-effect snow and summer lake breezes were once major transportation corridors for steamships like the Lac La Belle.

Preserved Beneath the Surface

Sonar imagery from the site shows the full profile of the vessel resting on the lakebed. Underwater photos confirm the hull is largely intact, with minimal collapse compared to many wrecks of similar age.

Such preservation is rare and valuable for maritime archaeology. While the exact depth and coordinates are typically protected to prevent disturbance, the find is already being recognized as one of the most notable recent shipwreck discoveries in the Great Lakes.

A Piece of Great Lakes History Resurfaces

Nearly a century and a half after it vanished into a storm, the Lac La Belle has re-emerged — not physically above water, but through modern exploration technology that continues to unlock secrets hidden beneath Lake Michigan.

Discoveries like this serve as reminders of the lake’s powerful history and the enduring stories resting below its surface. For continued coverage of major Great Lakes discoveries, regional history, and weather stories that impact Illinois communities, stay connected with NapervilleLocal.com.