Two adventurous divers have rediscovered a shipwreck lost about two centuries ago off the eastern shores of Lake Michigan.
“I was amazed at what we have here on the Great Lakes, and with some studies I was able to uncover some desirable artifacts,” Kevin Ailes said. “It’s a bit addictive, the more you look at these things, the more stories you hear, you realize that what you can find underwater is desirable. “
He never expected to be to locate the Milwaukie.
When the boat entered the waters of what is now known as Saugatuck Dunes State Park, winds were drastically replaced and temperatures temporarily dropped below zero, putting the boat and its crew at risk. “It was a storm,” Kevin Ailes said.
Regardless of the exact details, the turn of the shipment’s destination was violent and dangerous. Less than a portion of the team abandoned the shipment and made its way safely to a nearby lighthouse, and the lighthouse keeper then asked a young man named Hfinisherson to locate the remains. Hfinisherson reported that the ship reached its goal 2 miles north and about 60 feet from the lighthouse station.
Six sailors survived the incident, their rubber suits and jackets likely protecting them from exposure and icy waters when flour barrels spilled into the water, according to SARM. Nine other sailors, in addition to the ship’s captain, died or went missing after the incident.
“Winter was much less difficult thanks to the fact that they had this glorious gift of flour on the shore,” Kevin said. “I’m sure the wine was also helpful. “
Using the main points of history and technology, Kevin and Amy Ailes began combining satellite photographs archived in Google Earth in the approximate domain of the sinking, hoping to find gold. Eventually, the couple discovered what appeared to be shipping a few hundred meters from shore in a March 2021 image.
Last May, on another trip back to the sinking site, the Ailes were still able to see parts of the ship coming out of the sand and used their diving experience to take photos and videos.
The couple have several other shipwrecks they plan to recover, and they are sure of themselves to dig up their next discovery soon somewhere in the waters of Lake Michigan.