The Alger Underwater Preserve is located on the south shore of Lake Superior near the city of Munising in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. This area of Lake Superior’s shoreline includes the Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore, Grand Island and the sheltered waters of Munising Bay. The Alger Underwater Preserve offers several unusual diving attractions including “sea caves”, intact shipwrecks, and underwater interpretive trails.
These shipwrecks in Munising Bay have been preserved by the clear, cool waters of Lake Superior. Many of the wreck sites located within the Alger Underwater Preserve are also protected by Grand Island from the fury of Lake Superior. Very seldom are dive trips canceled because of the weather.
Divers of any skill level will find shipwrecks in excellent condition awaiting them in the Alger Underwater Preserve. Underwater visibility in the Alger Preserve is considered to be among the best in the Midwest. Thirty feet at depth of one hundred feet is not uncommon. There are mooring buoys and descent lines at all primary dive sites. Each year, wrecks appear and disappear like apparitions as the currents of Lake Superior move the sand around them. Though the total number of shipwrecks in the Alger Preserve is unknown, there are 7 major found shipwrecks in Alger Underwater Preserve.
Beside shipwrecks, you will also be able to find sea caves. The caves are formed by wave action which hollows out the sandstone cliffs underwater. Although the caves are shallow, usually only about 20 feet deep, they offer spectacular diving and underwater photo opportunities.
The Bermuda (Murray Bay wreck), a 150 foot wooden schooner sank in the spring of 1870 in Murray Bay on Grand Island. The top deck is just 12 feet below the water’s surface where the wreck has remained for 128 years. The Bermuda went down in 1870 and is an intact 145 foot schooner sitting upright and waiting for visitors. Three hatches gave access to the cargo hold, along with two companionways and the large cabin trunk near the stern. An underwater interpretive trail in this popular shipwreck shows divers important features of the shipwreck as well as unusual fish and other aquatic life. Divers can expect to see schools of rock bass and other colorful game fish.
The Superior is a side wheel passenger and package freight steamer launched in 1845. It is the oldest known wreck in the area, and lies in 10-20 feet of water.
The Smith Moore is an early example of the wooden steam barge, sitting upright in 90’ of water. This is the most famous shipwreck in the Pictured Rocks area. The Smith Moore was lost in the Munising East Channel on July 13, 1889 as the result of damages suffered in a collision out in Lake Superior. The wreck was lost in the channel next to Grand Island while under tow. Divers can reach the deck at about 80 feet, and will find much machinery as well as game fish. Access to some portions of the interior of the vessel is possible through open hatches on the deck.
The Kiowa was a steel bulk freight steamer 251 feet in length, driven ashore by a gale in Nov. 1929. The remains are now in 20-40 foot depths. On a clear day the huge sections of hull are easily visible from the surface. The stern of the wreck lies on its port side exposing the steamer’s steering quadrant and emergency steering gear. A short distance forward, an enclosed ladder way leads down toward the propeller shaft tunnel. At the forward end of the tunnel, the propeller shaft and its massive thrust bearing can be seen.
In November of 1926, the Herman H. Hettler was seeking shelter in Munising Harbor when it slammed into a reef. The wreck now rests in 30’-40’ of water. On the inner edge of the reef where the Hettler struck, a boiler can be found in about 25 feet of water, along with part of the hull and a field of debris such as mechanical parts, tanks, piping, and even a bathtub.
The Manhattan, a wooden freighter in 30’-40’ of water, was driven onto a reef in October of 1903. Divers can visit a large portion of the steamer’s hull framing. The vessel’s enormous rudder, with its depth markings still visible, lies nearby.
A note about the charts included in each Preserve reference:
The coordinates are presumed to be accurate but we place no guarantee. Water depths may be off due to water level changes. Always evaluate weather conditions and divers abilities before diving any wreck. We are not recommending any of these dive destinations. We are only publishing information. Caution: Some wrecks may be out of the sport diving depth limit. Diving is a potentially dangerous activity. Use common sense and dive within your training and skill level.
