Searchers find missing ship in Lake Michigan, over 150 years after it sunk

The Guardian - World NewsEN 3 min read 100% complete by José OlivaresFebruary 15, 2026 at 11:49 PM

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After nearly 60 years of searching, shipwreck hunter Paul Ehorn discovered the wreck of the Lac La Belle, a passenger steamer that sank in Lake Michigan over 150 years ago. Ehorn, leading a team from Shipwreck World, located the wreck in October 2022 about 20 miles offshore between Racine and Kenosha, Wisconsin, but delayed announcing the discovery to create a 3D video model. The Lac La Belle sank in October 1872 during a storm while traveling from Milwaukee to Grand Haven, Michigan, carrying 53 passengers and crew, along with a cargo of barley, flour, pork and whiskey. Eight people died when one of the lifeboats capsized as the ship went down stern first. Ehorn used a clue from another shipwreck hunter to narrow his search and located the ship using side-scan sonar.

Key Entities & Roles

Key Player Opposition Context

Associated Press 40% Grand Haven, Michigan 40% Milwaukee ×250% Kenosha, Wisconsin 60% Racine, Wisconsin 60% Ross Richardson ×260% Shipwreck World ×270% Lake Michigan ×280% Lac La Belle ×585% Paul Ehorn ×690%

Keywords

shipwreck 100% lake michigan 90% lac la belle 90% shipwreck hunting 80% passenger steamer 70% paul ehorn 60% maritime history 50% ship sinking 50% side-scan sonar 50% wreck discovery 40%

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The Guardian - World News

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