I will be diving out of the Chicagoland area (Gary, In) in July. Trying to determine what the best sites are in this vicinity. I have heard the most popular dive site is the Material Service Barge? What other wrecks would you recommend?
Chicagoland Wrecks
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Dean810
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If you diving out near Gary, than the Material Service Barge is a must do. It was a powered self un-loader that sank in 1936 with the loss of 15 lives. It is in only about 35 feet of water. There is plenty to explore there with plenty of swim throughs since the holds are all open. It is near a river however, and is subject to low viz and currents. But on a nice day, it is a great dive.
A dive on the Material Service is often paired with a dive on the Tacoma tug. It was a wood steamer that was built in 1894 and sank in 1929, so I believe it was the oldest working tug at the time. Still quit intact with boiler and a beautiful pair of tow bits on the deck. Also in 35 feet of water.
The Louiseville is also a good dive. Built in 1853, it was one of the earliest of the propeller driven steamers on the Great Lakes. It sank in 1857 and is one of the oldest wrecks I have ever been on. The piston engine at the stern is one of the oddest things I have seen underwater. Not as intact as the other boats, there are still things to see such as the engine I mentioned, the propeller, the boiler that is open (enter at your own risk, I have heard that at least one person has died inside) and a great deal of anchor chain. The last time I was on it, it was very heavily encrusted with zebra mussels, which takes away from much of the detail. The wreck is a bit further out and in 60 feet of water, and is often dived as an alternate to the Material Service when that site is not in good dive condition.
There is also the David Dows, at one time the largest schooner on the Great Lakes with five masts, but I have been told there is not much to see of it anymore. I have not been there.
There is also the Car Barge #2. Built in 1895, made of wood and over 300 feet long, it with its three identical siblings were the largest wood barges in the world. It carried railroad cars. It is in only 35 feet of water and was dynimited as a shipping hazard, but is still an interesting dive. You can find the car rails and see how the boat was constructed. Quit massive.
Have fun and dive safe!
Those are all boat dives. The only shore wreck dive in the area is the wreck of George Morely off of Evanston beach. It is a 15 or 20 minute swim out in about 15 feet of water.
Normal visibility on offshore wrecks in water over 50 feet is now running about 40 to 60 feet. At wrecks close to shore visibility depends upon weather conditions. If wind and waves are comming onshore or if there is storm runoff in the area visibility can be near zero. If the weather has been calm and the wind is offshore visibility on the shallower wrecks can approach 20 feet or more.
Thanks for the info. I'm thinking about a trip up that way maybe late this summer or mid summer next year. What is the going rate for 2 tank boat trip. I'm really wanting to get some dives in the Great Lakes soon.
Give me a call when you want to dive Lake Michigan. I operate the charter boat, Enterprise, out of the port of Waukegan. That is about half way between Chicago and Milwaukee. My current pricing for a half-day trip (2 tank) is $100. Parking is free in Waukegan. Other boats in the area have similar rates. You may have to pay for parking in Chicago.
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