Luxury steamer wreck discovered in Lake Michigan

Shipwreck from 1872 found 20 miles offshore between Racine and Kenosha

Published on Feb. 16, 2026

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A search team has discovered the wreck of a luxury steamer that sank in a Lake Michigan gale more than 150 years ago. The Lac La Belle left Milwaukee in October 1872 and was headed to Grand Haven, Michigan, when it began taking on water and sank, resulting in 8 fatalities.

Why it matters

The discovery of the Lac La Belle wreck provides a rare glimpse into Great Lakes maritime history and the challenges faced by early steamship travel. It also highlights the ongoing efforts of shipwreck hunters to uncover and preserve these important historical artifacts.

The details

The wreck of the Lac La Belle was found about 20 miles offshore between Racine and Kenosha, Wisconsin, in 2022 by a team led by shipwreck hunter Paul Ehorn of the organization Shipwreck World. The announcement of the discovery was delayed due to poor weather and other commitments that prevented the team from getting quality photos of the wreck until last summer.

  • The Lac La Belle sank in October 1872.
  • The wreck was discovered by a search team in 2022.

The players

Lac La Belle

A luxury steamer that sank in Lake Michigan in 1872.

Paul Ehorn

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

Shipwreck World

An organization that works to discover shipwrecks around the world.

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The takeaway

The discovery of the Lac La Belle wreck serves as a reminder of the rich maritime history of the Great Lakes region and the ongoing efforts to uncover and preserve these important historical artifacts.