← Return to Favorite Dive Summary
Return to Explore Dive Sites← Back to dive site search
LakeShipwreckTechnical DiveFreshwaterSource Checked

NBM Dive Site Resource

Eber Ward

Mackinaw City, Michigan, United States

TECHNICAL DIVE REQUIRED FOR THE DEEPER SECTIONS — Eber Ward is a shipwreck lost in 1909 and listed by the Straits of Mackinac Underwater Preserve.

Save this dive site to your free member profile.

Historic Photograph

Historic photograph of the steamer Eber Ward
The steamer Eber Ward before sale to Crescent Transportation CompanyUnknown author, via Wikimedia Commons · Public domain / Public Domain MarkSource ↗
WaterFreshwater
AccessBoat or site-specific access; verify current local requirements.
ExperienceMixed-depth site — the deeper sections exceed recreational limits and require appropriate technical and decompression training
Maximum depth110–145 ft
Best seasonSeasonal Great Lakes diving; verify current preserve and weather conditions.
VisibilityVisibility varies

Aquatic life at this dive site

What divers may encounter

Three reviewed connections are featured here. Sightings vary by season, conditions, and chance, so they are never guaranteed.

Profile connection reserved

Aquatic life research in progress

NBM is reviewing a likely local species for this position.

Profile connection reserved

Aquatic life research in progress

NBM is reviewing a likely local species for this position.

Profile connection reserved

Aquatic life research in progress

NBM is reviewing a likely local species for this position.

Site media

Photographs

Three views rotate from the published gallery on each visit.
Historic black-and-white photograph of the wooden package freighter SS John V. Moran, sister ship of Eber Ward
Representative historic image: SS John V. Moran, a sister ship of Eber Ward built by F.W. Wheeler & Company in 1888. This photograph does not depict Eber Ward.SS John V. Moran before 1899; photographer unknown; via Wikimedia Commons. · Public domainSource ↗
Illustrated scuba diver reserved for a future dive-site photograph
Dive Photograph PlaceholderDive-site photograph pending
Illustrated scuba diver reserved for a future dive-site photograph
Dive Photograph PlaceholderDive-site photograph pending

Contributor media

Dive videos

Three featured video positions are reserved on every profile.
Dive-site video pending
Dive-site video pending
Dive-site video pending

Published reference location

Location map

The marker shows the public coordinates associated with this profile. Confirm current access, moorings, and departure details before the dive.
Published reference coordinates45.81213, -84.81888
Open in Google Maps ↗
Map zoom level 1 of 11

Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors

Recent field observations

Diver-reported temperatures

Automatically checked observations from dives during the past 14 days. Three reports are visible at a time; scroll for more.
Automatically checked
No recent diver reports from the past 14 days

A report that passes the automatic checks will appear here with the dive date, diver’s display name, and temperatures at each depth.

Reports are automatically checked for plausible dates, depths, and temperatures. They are observations, not forecasts; confirm conditions before diving.

Diver field observation

Report temperatures

Reports publish automatically when the date, depths, and temperatures pass the checks. You must be signed in to submit.

Depth readings

Seasonal planning reference

Typical monthly conditions

Long-term averages, not a forecast. Actual air and water conditions can change quickly and may vary across the site.
Average airSurface waterBottom water
Reusable conditions profileGreat Lakes regional monthly conditions

Moderate-confidence match — Matched by documented Great Lakes port/area. Air and surface-water values are regional planning averages. No bottom-water line is published because a comparable depth-specific record has not yet been verified.

Monthly air, surface-water, and bottom-water temperaturesLine chart of published monthly average temperatures in Fahrenheit. Missing bottom-temperature months are intentionally left blank.10°28°45°63°80°JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Monthly averages in Fahrenheit and Celsius
MonthAverage airSurface waterBottom waterBottom measurement depth
Jan16.2°F / -8.8°C39.4°F / 4.1°CNo reliable record—
Feb17.8°F / -7.9°C36.3°F / 2.4°CNo reliable record—
Mar26.7°F / -2.9°C36.9°F / 2.7°CNo reliable record—
Apr39.4°F / 4.1°C38.2°F / 3.4°CNo reliable record—
May52.1°F / 11.2°C39.1°F / 3.9°CNo reliable record—
Jun61.1°F / 16.2°C48.4°F / 9.1°CNo reliable record—
Jul66.0°F / 18.9°C63.7°F / 17.6°CNo reliable record—
Aug65.6°F / 18.7°C68.9°F / 20.5°CNo reliable record—
Sep58.4°F / 14.7°C64.5°F / 18.1°CNo reliable record—
Oct46.3°F / 7.9°C56.4°F / 13.6°CNo reliable record—
Nov34.8°F / 1.6°C48.7°F / 9.3°CNo reliable record—
Dec23.8°F / -4.6°C44.0°F / 6.7°CNo reliable record—
Air temperatureRegional average — not site-specific

NOAA NCEI 1991–2020 U.S. Climate Normals — Sault Ste. Marie, MI

1991–2020 climate normalsReview source ↗
Surface-water temperatureRegional average — not site-specific

NOAA NCEI Coastal Water Temperature Guide — North Michigan

Historical monthly station averagesReview source ↗

Bottom temperature is never inferred from surface temperature. A blank month means no reliable depth-specific average is available. Data reviewed 2026-08-26.

Why divers know this place

Highlights

Officially documented Straits of Mackinac Underwater Preserve shipwreck.

Shipwreck-only module

The wreck

This section appears only on shipwreck records and brings the vessel, its loss, present condition, access, and responsible wreck-diving considerations into one place.

Plan the trip

Dive boats that visit this wreck

Regional context

Located within

Before you arrive

Access notes

Confirm current mooring, charter availability, weather, current and preserve guidance before departure. Published coordinates are reference points and are not a substitute for navigation.

Plan within your training

Conditions and hazards

Cold water, boat traffic, current, changing visibility, entanglement and overhead hazards around wreck structure. Depth and conditions vary by site. The deepest sections may create decompression obligations; cold water, limited visibility, entanglement and overhead wreckage require site-specific planning.

Independent resource notice

This record is a starting point for independent verification. Access, closures, moorings, weather, currents, depth, visibility, operator availability, and site conditions can change without notice. Confirm current information with the responsible operator, property owner, managing authority, or another qualified local source before planning or attempting a dive.