Wreck of 1872 Luxury Steamer Discovered in Lake Michigan

Shipwreck hunter Paul Ehorn locates the Lac La Belle, lost for over 150 years

Published on Feb. 16, 2026

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After a nearly 60-year search, a team led by Illinois shipwreck hunter Paul Ehorn has discovered the wreck of the luxury steamer Lac La Belle, which sank in a Lake Michigan gale in 1872 with 53 passengers and crew on board. The 217-foot vessel, built in 1864, was found about 20 miles offshore between Racine and Kenosha, Wisconsin.

Why it matters

The discovery of the Lac La Belle wreck provides a glimpse into Great Lakes maritime history and the dangers faced by 19th century steamship travelers. It also highlights the ongoing efforts by shipwreck hunters to locate and preserve the thousands of undiscovered wrecks that lie on the lake beds of the Great Lakes region.

The details

The Lac La Belle left Milwaukee for Grand Haven, Michigan, on October 13, 1872, during a fierce gale. The ship began taking on water uncontrollably, forcing the captain to turn back towards Milwaukee. Huge waves extinguished the ship's boilers, and around 5 a.m. the captain ordered the lifeboats lowered. The Lac La Belle went down stern-first, with one of the lifeboats capsizing on the way to shore, killing 8 people.

  • The Lac La Belle was built in 1864 in Cleveland, Ohio.
  • The ship sank on October 13, 1872.
  • Shipwreck hunter Paul Ehorn has been searching for the Lac La Belle since 1965.
  • The wreck was discovered in October 2022, about 20 miles offshore between Racine and Kenosha, Wisconsin.

The players

Paul Ehorn

An 80-year-old Illinois shipwreck hunter who has been searching for the Lac La Belle since 1965 and led the team that discovered the wreck in 2022.

Ross Richardson

A shipwreck hunter and author who provided Ehorn with a clue that helped narrow down the search grid and led to the discovery of the Lac La Belle.

Shipwreck World

A group that works to locate shipwrecks around the world and announced the discovery of the Lac La Belle wreck.

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What they’re saying

“It's kind of a game, like solve the puzzle. Sometimes you don't have many pieces to put the puzzle together but this one worked out and we found it right away.”

— Paul Ehorn, Shipwreck Hunter (Associated Press)

“The finding left him "super elated.”

— Paul Ehorn, Shipwreck Hunter (Associated Press)

What’s next

Ehorn and his team plan to return to the Lac La Belle wreck site this summer to capture additional 3D video footage and further document the condition of the ship.

The takeaway

The discovery of the Lac La Belle wreck highlights the ongoing efforts by shipwreck hunters to uncover the thousands of undiscovered wrecks that lie on the bottom of the Great Lakes, providing valuable insights into 19th century maritime history and the challenges faced by early steamship travelers.