Wreck of Luxury Steamer Built in Cleveland Found at Bottom of Great Lake

The Lac La Belle, a 217-foot wooden steamship built in 1864, sank in 1872 during a storm on Lake Michigan.

Published on Feb. 16, 2026

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The wreck of the Lac La Belle, a luxury passenger steamship built in Cleveland in 1864, has been discovered at the bottom of Lake Michigan. The ship sank in 1872 during a storm while traveling from Milwaukee to Chicago, with the loss of eight lives. Shipwreck hunter Paul Ehorn located the well-preserved wreck in October 2022, about 20 miles offshore between Racine and Kenosha, Wisconsin.

Why it matters

The discovery of the Lac La Belle wreck sheds light on an important chapter in Great Lakes maritime history. As one of the most popular passenger steamers on Lake Michigan in the late 19th century, the Lac La Belle's sinking was a significant event at the time. The wreck's excellent preservation also provides a rare glimpse into the craftsmanship and design of early wooden steamships built in the Great Lakes region.

The details

The Lac La Belle was a 217-foot wooden steamer built in Cleveland in 1864. She initially ran from Cleveland to Lake Superior before being purchased by the Englemann Transportation Co. in Milwaukee, where she became one of the most popular passenger boats on Lake Michigan. On October 13, 1872, the Lac La Belle departed Milwaukee with 53 passengers and crew, as well as a cargo of 19,000 bushels of barley, 1,200 barrels of flour, 50 barrels of pork, and 25 barrels of whiskey. About two hours into the trip, the ship began leaking uncontrollably from an unknown source. The captain turned the ship around, but it then ran into a severe storm. Huge waves crashed over the boat, putting out the boiler fires. The Lac La Belle then sank stern-first, with the loss of eight lives from a capsized lifeboat.

  • The Lac La Belle was built in Cleveland in 1864.
  • The ship sank on October 13, 1872 during a storm on Lake Michigan.

The players

Lac La Belle

A 217-foot wooden steamship built in Cleveland in 1864, which became one of the most popular passenger boats on Lake Michigan before sinking in a storm in 1872.

Paul Ehorn

A shipwreck hunter and scuba diver who led the team that discovered the wreck of the Lac La Belle in October 2022.

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What they’re saying

“As a woodworker myself, I appreciate the hand craftsmanship that went into these early vessels. The Lac La Belle was close to home for me and is a wreck that's always been on my radar.”

— Paul Ehorn, Shipwreck hunter and diver (Shipwreck World)

The takeaway

The discovery of the Lac La Belle wreck provides a valuable historical record of early Great Lakes maritime transportation and the craftsmanship that went into building these wooden steamships. It also serves as a poignant reminder of the dangers faced by passengers and crews on the treacherous waters of the Great Lakes in the 19th century.