Sanilac Shores Underwater Preserve stretches along the shoreline of Southwestern Lake Huron, Michigan. It has some of the most interesting wrecks that I have ever dove in the Great Lakes. It is popular with divers because of the quality and concentration of wrecks, mostly within sport diving range.  It also contains two easily dived wrecks from the Great Storm of 1913, the Price and Regina (see below). Visibility was a welcoming 50 ft but the temperatures were an icy 39-41 deg. F.  Here are four of the wrecks that we dove over a bright and calm weekend.

The Mary Alice B. is a 62′ tugboat that was built in 1931 and sank under “mysterious conditions” in 1975. Today it sits upright in 98′ of water, and is in very good condition. The lettering on the stern has been rubbed off by divers, and much of the roof on the engine room has disappeared (accidental snagging?).  But the wreck has a very photogenic wheelhouse, and is lots of fun to “poke around” in and look inside doorways and hatches.

The famous Regina is a 250′ steel freighter that was built in 1907 and sunk during the Great Storm of 1913. Today the ship rests in 83′ of water upside down and slightly listed.  There is some speculation as to how the ship sunk, but it is believed that the ship ran aground (hit bottom).  There is a huge gash in the hull of the ship which does allow for some penetration into the wreck. The propeller and rudder are very impressive and photogenic.  

The wooden steam barge New York was built in 1856 and foundered in heavy seas in 1876. Today the ship lies upright in 118 feet of water, but alot of it is broken up.  The highlight is the ship’s upright starboard stability arch. This was intended to prevent the beams from separating from the walls while the ship was rocking. The design was later abandoned.  Also of interest are the twin oscillating steam engines, boiler, smoke stack hole, bow anchor, and other machinery.

The Col. A. B. Williams is a 110′ schooner that sank during a storm in 1864 while carrying a cargo of coal.  This Civil War era ship is distinguished as being the Preserve’s oldest wreck. It lies in 84 feet of water, hull intact, with the cabin and mast  missing (although one lies beside the bow).  Also of interest to divers is a stove, bilge pump and two winches. The bow anchors and wheel were removed in the 1960’s. A portion of the stern is missing, as is typical with many Great Lakes wrecks, due to air pressure blowing it out as it sank.  The bow and sprit are very photogenic, and the ship has the typical “sexy” lines of a schooner.

Tips:

There are no chain hotels in Sanilac (you’ll have to go to Port Huron for that).  Instead, we stayed at “Holland’s Country Bed & Breakfast”, which was only minutes from the Marina. Tom and Connie are very friendly and hospitable hosts.  We stayed in the “Meadow view” cabin, which was very comfortable with full amenities (including gas fireplace) and was spotlessly clean. They offer excellent rates with a hot, home-made, hearty breakfast brought right to your door.

We dove with Rec & Tec Dive Charters, run by Capt. Gary Venet.  If  you’re a diver, you know that diving from a nice boat makes a big difference. Gary  is a retired Marine Unit and Search and Rescue Diver with the Sheriff’s Department.  He knows the surrounding waters and wrecks inside and out.  He was very helpful in all things, along with his assistant Linda- even supplying some hot water to warm our cold hands after the dive.