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Perhaps the most famous wreck in the area is the Cornelia B. Windiate. The Windiate was a three-masted schooner about 140' long. She left Milwaukee with a load of wheat bound for Buffalo in November 1875. She disappeared with all hands. It was generally thought she sank in Lake Michigan until her discovery in Lake Huron in 1986. The cause of her sinking is still debated today. She is incredibly intact with her forward mast rising to about 90'. Her main deck is at about 180'. |
The Florida may well be my favorite wreck in Presque Isle. She was a wooden steamer 270 feet in length. The Florida was struck by the steamer George W. Roby on May 20, 1897. She sits in about 210' of water and is upright. She is intact from the bow back to the boiler room. the aft end of the ship is broken up, exposing the steam engine. There are so many interesting things to see on this wreck it's hard to list them all. The forward capstan cover is still there, with the writing still legible. The cargo holds are still stocked with various goods. The engine is exposed and easily explored. The bell is still lying in the wreckage. You can dive this wreck many times and still not see all of her treasures. Other interesting wrecks in the area include the John J. Audubon (two-masted brig fairly intact at a depth of about 175'), the Norman (300' long steel steamer in just over 200' of water) and the Typo (three-masted schooner in about 140'). |
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