Shipwreck found near Sleeping Bear Dunes
LAKE ANN -- A shipwreck has been discovered in Lake Michigan off the coast of the Sleeping Bear Dunes.
It's called the "Westmoreland" and was found by Ross Richardson of Lake Ann on July 7th using a sonar. Today he released the underwater footage you're seeing now. The Westmoreland was a 200-foot long passenger steamer built in 1853.
It left Milwaukee on December 6, 1854 headed for the Manitou Passage when large waves and heavy wind created a thick layer of ice on the ship, causing it to leak and sink. 17 people drowned.
Richardson says he wants to share the discovery with everyone but says don't expect to see parts of the ship sitting in museum anytime soon.
"I think right now I'm going to keep the location secret to keep divers off it til we get a plan to manage the site and make sure that thefts don't happen," said Richardson. "It is an artifact laden wreck. There's tools laying out on the deck and items that can be easily taken. I think today I see the diving community moving more toward filming the wrecks and sharing the film of the wrecks other than grabbing artifacts to show people."
The ship was also rumored to have been carrying gold in the ship's safe along with high-grade brandy and whiskey.
Richardson had no comment about whether or not he found those items.
