From a teenager’s fascination with diving to uncovering historical maritime treasures, Paul Ehorn’s journey beneath the waters of the Great Lakes is a testament to relentless passion. His adventure began in the early 1960s when he took his first dive, clad in a wetsuit self-assembled from a Montgomery Ward catalog purchase.
Reflecting on that chilly experience, Ehorn told WPR’s “Wisconsin Today,” “The water’s cold, probably the low 40s, and I came up just shivering uncontrollably. All I could say was, ‘How long before we can go back in?’” This moment marked the beginning of a lifelong obsession with the underwater world.
Transitioning from a diver to a seasoned shipwreck hunter, Ehorn, now 80, has discovered 15 shipwrecks in the Great Lakes. His latest triumph, the Lac La Belle, was announced in February after years of diligent searching. This luxury steamer, which sank over 150 years ago in Lake Michigan, had been a target for Ehorn due to his interest in wooden steamers and its proximity to his home.
Finally locating the wreckage 20 miles off the coast between Racine and Kenosha, Ehorn described the discovery day as “wonderful,” noting the “beautiful wreck” they found. Although the team initially discovered the site in 2022, public disclosure was postponed until conditions permitted filming and creating a 3D model of the shipwreck.
Brendon Baillod, president of the Wisconsin Underwater Archaeology Association, emphasized the importance of Ehorn’s detailed documentation of the wreck. “All of our wrecks on the Great Lakes have a shelf life — they’re not going to look like this in 100 years,” Baillod said, commending Ehorn’s commitment to creating a photogrammetry model.
Baillod’s research chronicles numerous shipwrecks of the Great Lakes, including the Lac La Belle, which played a vital role in America’s industrial growth. The steamer sank on October 13, 1872, after departing Milwaukee and encountering a storm, resulting in a tragic loss of eight lives.
A ‘golden age’ of shipwreck discovery
The Great Lakes hold an estimated 6,000 to 10,000 shipwrecks, many still hidden beneath the waves. Recent advancements in technology and increased interest from citizen scientists are aiding in their discovery. Baillod describes this as a “golden age” for uncovering these historical relics.
Despite the damage caused by invasive quagga mussels, which congregate around shipwrecks, these organisms also inadvertently enhance underwater visibility, making it easier to spot these submerged treasures. “We called it ‘Braille diving,’” Baillod remarked. “Now, you go down there and you can see sometimes 50, 80, 100 feet — you can see the whole ship.”
Baillod, a co-founder of the Ghost Ships Festival, aims to educate the public about the rich maritime history of the Great Lakes. This year’s event in Manitowoc will feature Ehorn’s presentation on the Lac La Belle, highlighting the crucial role these ships played in shaping the Midwest.
