Northerner & Mahoning/Niagara (AM group trip)

How to join this trip Northerner & Mahoning/Niagara Dive Charter | June 29 2025 (AM group):

This charter is reserved by Divers Incorporated. If you are interested in joining this trip, please contact the organizer directly. Their information is listed below under “Organizer.”

Recreational Dive Trip

• Dive Type: Recreational (No Decompression)
• Shipwreck depths:
  • Northerner: 110 to 130ft
  • Mahoning: 60ft
  • Niagara: 60ft
• Required Certification: PADI Advanced Open Water or equivalent
• Note: Cold water diving experience is recommended.

Northerner shipwreck (Built 1851)

Resting upright and impressively intact in 110 to 130 feet of Lake Michigan’s cold, clear water, the schooner Northerner offers a breathtaking dive for advanced explorers. As you descend, you’ll be greeted by the sight of the main mast lying gracefully across the starboard deck—suspended like a frozen moment in time. The stern mast has been removed for preservation, but much of the vessel’s original structure remains.

Peer into the open hold and you’ll find her final cargo still in place: stacks of cordwood logs, neatly piled as they were in 1868, waiting for delivery that never came. Her topside wood cargo was offloaded in Port Washington before her ill-fated journey, giving divers a clear view of her inner workings.

The bow is a treasure trove of maritime history. The windlass, anchor chain, and centerboard winch remain where the crew left them. Even the bowsprit and figurehead survive—a rare and picturesque carving that makes the Northerner one of the most visually captivating wrecks in the region.  Figureheads during that era were often symbolic—female forms could represent virtues like liberty, hope, or protection, and were meant to bring good luck to the vessel. Some were modeled after goddesses, muses, or even real women admired by the shipbuilder or owner. Since the Northerner was built in 1850 in New York, it’s possible her figurehead followed this tradition, but without written records or more detailed carvings remaining, we can only speculate.

Whether you’re drawn by the history, the structure, or the serenity of a deep dive, the Northerner promises a memorable underwater adventure.  This dive will explore the Northerner, a well-preserved 19th-century schooner. Read more, See Photos

Mahoning (Built 1847)

The wreck of the brigantine Mahoning lies in about 60 feet of water and offers divers a fascinating glimpse into 19th-century ship construction and salvage. While the wooden hull is significantly broken up, several key features remain scattered across the site. Near the wreckage, you’ll find the capstan, wood-stock anchor, and deadeyes, giving divers a feel for the ship’s original rigging and structure.

Just southeast of the main hull, a portable boiler and steam pump rest on the lakebed—remnants likely left behind during post-wreck salvage operations in 1865.

One of the standout features is the large rudder, which now lies on its side but remains clearly visible on the sandy bottom—an impressive piece of the vessel that still evokes the size and power of the original brigantine.

For divers, the permanent mooring line is located near the bow, making for an easy and safe descent right onto the wreck site. The layout and artifact scatter make this an ideal site for exploration, particularly for those interested in maritime history and underwater photography.  Read more about the wreck here.