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Racine Today
By the People, for the People
Shipwreck Hunters Solve 150-Year Mystery of Disaster That Killed Eight
The 217-foot steamer Lac La Belle was found 20 miles offshore in Lake Michigan after a nearly 60-year search.
Published on Feb. 16, 2026
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Shipwreck hunters have discovered the remains of the Lac La Belle, a luxury steamer that sank in a Lake Michigan gale in 1872, killing eight people. The 217-foot vessel was found about 20 miles offshore between Racine and Kenosha, Wisconsin, in October 2022 by a team led by Illinois shipwreck hunter Paul Ehorn, who has been searching for the ship since 1965.
Why it matters
The discovery completes a nearly 60-year quest by Ehorn and adds to the historical record of Great Lakes maritime disasters. The Great Lakes are home to an estimated 6,000 to 10,000 shipwrecks, most of which remain undiscovered, and shipwreck hunters have intensified their searches in recent years due to concerns that invasive quagga mussels are slowly destroying these underwater historical sites.
The details
The Lac La Belle was built in 1864 in Cleveland and ran between Cleveland and Lake Superior before sinking in the St. Clair River in 1866 after a collision. The ship was raised in 1869 and reconditioned before returning to service. On the night of October 13, 1872, the ship left Milwaukee for Grand Haven, Michigan, carrying 53 passengers and crew along with cargo including barley, pork, flour and whiskey. About two hours into the journey during a severe gale, the ship began leaking uncontrollably. The captain turned back toward Milwaukee, but massive waves crashed over the vessel, extinguishing the boilers. Around 5 a.m., as the storm drove the ship southward, the captain ordered lifeboats lowered and the Lac La Belle went down stern first. One lifeboat capsized on the way to shore, killing eight people. The other lifeboats successfully reached land along the Wisconsin coast between Racine and Kenosha.
- In 1865, the Lac La Belle was built in Cleveland.
- In 1866, the Lac La Belle sank in the St. Clair River after a collision.
- In 1869, the Lac La Belle was raised and reconditioned.
- On October 13, 1872, the Lac La Belle left Milwaukee for Grand Haven, Michigan.
- Around 5 a.m. on October 14, 1872, the Lac La Belle went down stern first.
The players
Paul Ehorn
An Illinois shipwreck hunter who has been searching for the Lac La Belle since 1965.
Lac La Belle
A 217-foot luxury steamer that sank in a Lake Michigan gale in 1872, killing eight people.
What’s next
Ehorn will be presenting the discovery in person at the 2026 Ghost Ships Festival at the Inn on Maritime Bay in Manitowoc, Wisconsin on March 7.
The takeaway
The discovery of the Lac La Belle shipwreck after nearly 60 years of searching highlights the ongoing efforts of shipwreck hunters to uncover the maritime history of the Great Lakes, which remain largely unexplored despite containing thousands of undiscovered wrecks.
