Straits of Mackinac Shipwreck Preserve

The Straits of Mackinac Shipwreck Preserve is a 148-square-mile (380 km2) state preserve in and around the Straits of Mackinac. The preserve is divided in two by the Mackinac Bridge. The waters of the preserve include the waters offshore from Mackinaw City and St. Ignace, as well as all or part of the shorelines of Bois Blanc Island, Mackinac Island, Round Island, and St. Helena Island.

Straits of Mackinac Shipwreck Preserve
Aerial view of the waters protected within the Straits of Mackinac Shipwreck Preserve.
Map showing the location of Straits of Mackinac Shipwreck Preserve
Map showing the location of Straits of Mackinac Shipwreck Preserve
Location within the state of Michigan
LocationLake Huron, Lake Michigan, Cheboygan County, Emmet County, Mackinac County, Michigan, USA
Nearest cityMackinaw City, Michigan
Coordinates45°48′51″N 84°44′56″W / 45.8142°N 84.749°W / 45.8142; -84.749
Area148 square miles (380 km2)
Governing bodyMichigan Department of Natural Resources

The preserve contains at least eleven identified diveable wrecks, with more just outside the official boundaries. There are also a number of shallow sites suitable for snorkeling and kayak visits. Frequent fog and congested shipping added to the count of shipwrecks in the Straits area. Half a dozen lighthouses in and around the preserve testify to the dangers that existed prior to the invention of radar in the 1940s. However, tragedies have continued. One modern wreck within the boundaries of the preserve is Cedarville, a lake freighter transporting limestone that sank in 1965 after a collision.

Divers also visit underwater formations of Mackinac breccia near Mackinac Island; one such formation, the "Rock Maze", is offshore from Arch Rock. Further east off Arch Rock, a drowned, 100-foot (30 m)-high waterfall formation, Mackinac Falls, was discovered in August 2007.

Known wrecks within the preserve

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Wreck name Depth GPS/LAT/LON
Cayuga 75 to 102 ft (23 to 31 m) 45°43.239′N 085°11.401′W / 45.720650°N 85.190017°W / 45.720650; -85.190017 (Cayuga)
Cedarville 40 to 110 ft (12 to 34 m) 45°47.235′N 084°40.248′W / 45.787250°N 84.670800°W / 45.787250; -84.670800 (Cedarville)
Eber Ward 111 to 145 ft (34 to 44 m) 45°48.763′N 084°49.133′W / 45.812717°N 84.818883°W / 45.812717; -84.818883 (Eber Ward)
Fred McBrier 96 to 104 ft (29 to 32 m) 45°48.342′N 085°55.301′W / 45.805700°N 85.921683°W / 45.805700; -85.921683 (Fred McBrier)
Maitland 85 ft (26 m) 45°48.249′N 085°52.555′W / 45.804150°N 85.875917°W / 45.804150; -85.875917 (Maitland)
Minneapolis 124 ft (38 m) 45°48.511′N 084°43.904′W / 45.808517°N 84.731733°W / 45.808517; -84.731733 (Minneapolis)
Newell Eddy 165 ft (50 m) 45°46.890′N 084°13.810′W / 45.781500°N 84.230167°W / 45.781500; -84.230167 (Newell Eddy)
Northwest 75 ft (23 m) 45°47.450′N 084°51.465′W / 45.790833°N 84.857750°W / 45.790833; -84.857750 (Northwest)
Rock Maze 0 to 35 ft (0 to 11 m) 45°51.803′N 084°36.410′W / 45.863383°N 84.606833°W / 45.863383; -84.606833 (Rock Maze)
Sandusky 70 to 85 ft (21 to 26 m) 45°47.959′N 084°50.249′W / 45.799317°N 84.837483°W / 45.799317; -84.837483 (Sandusky)
M. Stalker 85 ft (26 m) 45°47.620′N 084°41.062′W / 45.793667°N 84.684367°W / 45.793667; -84.684367 (M. Stalker)
(formerly known as) St. Andrew 62 ft (19 m) 45°42.051′N 084°31.795′W / 45.700850°N 84.529917°W / 45.700850; -84.529917 (St. Andrew)
Uganda 185 to 207 ft (56 to 63 m) 45°50.553′N 085°02.998′W / 45.842550°N 85.049967°W / 45.842550; -85.049967 (Uganda)
William H. Barnum 58 to 75 ft (18 to 23 m) 45°44.708′N 084°37.866′W / 45.745133°N 84.631100°W / 45.745133; -84.631100 (William H. Barnum)
William Young 120 ft (37 m) 45°48.777′N 084°41.923′W / 45.812950°N 84.698717°W / 45.812950; -84.698717 (William Young)

See also

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References

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