Wisconsin Historical Society University of Wisconsin SeaGrant Funded by the Wisconsin Coastal Management Program and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Office of Ocean and Coastal Resources Management under the Coastal Zone Management Act, Grant #NA04NOS4190062. Funded by the Wisconsin Coastal Management Program and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Office of Ocean and Coastal Resources Management under the Coastal Zone Management Act, Grant #NA04NOS4190062. Great Lakes Information Network
Wisconsin's Maritime Trails
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About the WHS Shipwreck Database

The people behind the database

Pilot Island Main Section
A diver inspects multiple wrecks at Pilot Island in Door County. This site is marked with a WHS mooring buoy.

The vast majority of the WHS shipwreck database was compiled under the supervision of former Wisconsin State Underwater Archaeologist David Cooper, beginning in 1988 with an inventory of Door County shipwrecks. The database draws enormously on work done by Dr. Walter M. Hirthe and Mary Hirthe, whose early contribution prompted WHS staff to fondly refer to the database as "Walt." Dr. Richard Boyd and Thom Holden also generously shared their research and insight on Lakes Michigan and Superior shipwrecks respectively. In 2002, Great Lakes historian Brendon Baillod kindly agreed to supplement the WHS database with his personal cache of historic research and casualty data, resulting in the addition of over one hundred new entries.

Former State Underwater Archaeologists John Jensen and Jeff Gray contributed countless hours of historic research. Specifically, with the help of Dave Berwick and funding from the Army Corps of Engineers, St. Paul District, John Jensen assembled the database's Mississippi River component. Jeff Gray guided the database through its several digital conversions and ultimately made the decision to put the information online. State Archeologist Robert Birmingham supported and guided the project from its inception, and numerous other WHS staff, researchers, and divers contributed vital information to the project.

The task of converting the WHS shipwreck databse to an online version was considerable. The online WHS shipwreck database was made possible chiefly by the technical expertise of Paul Hedges, Pete Oemichen, Dan Williams and the Information Technology staff at the WHS. Dan Williams in particular must be credited with taking an archaeologist's "wish list" of features and functionality and making it a reality. Creative work, layout and navigation was done by an exceptionally accommodating design team at Rapidigm Inc. The WHS shipwreck database online conversion and Web design was accomplished with funds from the Federal Highway Commission's Transportation Enhancement Program, administered through the Wisconsin Department of Transportation.

The WHS shipwreck database project is a collective effort, its scope and accuracy reflecting the careful work of the individuals mentioned above and those who assisted them. It is an ongoing effort and more data will be added as it becomes available. WHS underwater and historic images will be uploaded periodically, with the ultimate aim of getting all of the best WHS images online.

Divers!

Niagara paddlewheel
Niagara paddlewheel collapse
Destroyed by looters, the Niagara's once magnificent paddlewheel now now lays collapsed on the lakebed.

The Wisconsin Historical Society (WHS) is dedicated to preserving historic shipwrecks and facilitating responsible diver access to these unique, non-renewable cultural resources. Care must be taken by divers who visit these historically significant and often fragile sites to ensure that future generations of recreational divers, the general public, marine enthusiasts, historians and archaeologists have an opportunity to enjoy and learn from them. As divers, it is our collective responsibility to protect Wisconsin's unique submerged heritage. The cold, fresh water of the Great Lakes will continue to preserve many of Wisconsin's historically significant shipwrecks for generations to come. It is our own impact that we must consider carefully.

Title to Wisconsin's historic shipwrecks is held in public trust by the State of Wisconsin. As steward of these fascinating historical, archaeological and recreational resources, the Wisconsin Historical Society encourages responsible diver visitation of these sites. Divers may not remove artifacts or structure when visiting any historic shipwreck or archeological site located on Wisconsin public lands, including the Great Lakes, inland lakes, and federal, state, county or municipally-owned waterways. Removing, defacing, displacing or destroying artifacts or sites is a crime, punishable with fines of up to $5,000. It could also result in the seizure of boats and all equipment used in commission of the crime (Wis. 44.47 and 29.05). Report shipwreck looting at (800) TIP-WDNR.
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