3 openings to the Northerner & Niagara (AM group trip)

How to join this trip Northerner & Niagara Dive Charter | July 6 2025 (AM group):

This charter is reserved by Elmer’s Watersports. 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
  • Niagara: 58ft
• 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

Niagara (Built 1845)

The remains of the Niagara lie scattered across the lakebed in about 55 feet of water, making it a great dive for beginners and experienced divers alike. The wreck is broken up, but well-marked underwater guidelines help you navigate between the key features.

You’ll start at the aft end of the ship, where the hull broke forward of the machinery. The sides of the hull have collapsed and now lie flat along the bottom, creating a wide, open area that’s easy to explore. The central keelson and two floor keelsons are still intact and clearly visible.

The engine and machinery are highlights of this dive. You’ll find the walking beam, large triple firebox boilers, and remnants of the paddlewheels. The boilers, located just north of the main wreckage, are especially striking, standing tall like silent sentinels of a bygone era.

Don’t miss the portside paddlewheel, where parts of the spokes and floats (buckets) still remain—offering a glimpse into 19th-century paddlewheel construction.