Shipwrecks are some of the most fascinating dive sites to explore, of which the Great Lakes hold an astounding historical cache. One of the most easily accessible of these is the wreckage of the Bermuda, found in just 30 feet of water in Lake Superior. The most remarkable feature of this wreck is that it has remained almost completely intact, despite having sunk more than 140 years ago. This 150-foot wooden schooner met her end in 1870 as she sailed with a cargo of general supplies and 488 tons of ore, when suddenly she was overtaken by gale force winds and crashing waves. As the ship began to take on water, the captain managed to steer her into Munising Bay, along the southern shores of Lake Superior. The force of the waves smashed into the forecastle, an area of the bow designated as sailor’s quarters, and the ship began to sink.
Although the captain and most of the crew were able to make it ashore, 3 sailors were drowned as a result of the calamity, and the Bermuda sank to the bottom of Munising Bay. Thirteen years later, a wrecking tugboat managed to tow her into Murray Bay, but as the crew struggled to raise her above the surface, she slipped from the lifting chains and sank again to the bottom, where she resides to this day. It is her location within the bay that affords her such preservation, as she is protected from the destructive force of Lake Superior’s powerful waves and unforgiving winter ice. It has become one of the more popular wreck dives in Lake Superior, primarily due to its shallow depth which allows for plenty of natural light and great visibility on bright days.
