NBM Dive Site Resource
New Orleans (1885)
Offshore Lake Huron, Michigan, United States
TECHNICAL DIVE ONLY — New Orleans (1885) is a Lake Huron shipwreck documented by NOAA at 145 ft / 44 m. This depth exceeds recreational limits and requires appropriate technical and decompression training.
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Historic Photograph
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.
Aquatic life research in progress
NBM is reviewing a likely local species for this position.
Aquatic life research in progress
NBM is reviewing a likely local species for this position.
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.
Contributor media
Dive videos
Three featured video positions are reserved on every profile.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.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.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.
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.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.
| Month | Average air | Surface water | Bottom water | Bottom measurement depth |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 20.0°F / -6.7°C | 35.5°F / 1.9°C | No reliable record | — |
| Feb | 20.7°F / -6.3°C | 39.5°F / 4.2°C | No reliable record | — |
| Mar | 29.3°F / -1.5°C | 40.5°F / 4.7°C | No reliable record | — |
| Apr | 41.2°F / 5.1°C | 36.4°F / 2.4°C | No reliable record | — |
| May | 53.4°F / 11.9°C | 38.4°F / 3.6°C | No reliable record | — |
| Jun | 63.2°F / 17.3°C | 44.9°F / 7.2°C | No reliable record | — |
| Jul | 68.2°F / 20.1°C | 59.6°F / 15.3°C | No reliable record | — |
| Aug | 66.6°F / 19.2°C | 65.9°F / 18.8°C | No reliable record | — |
| Sep | 59.0°F / 15.0°C | 61.9°F / 16.6°C | No reliable record | — |
| Oct | 47.4°F / 8.6°C | 54.1°F / 12.3°C | No reliable record | — |
| Nov | 36.6°F / 2.6°C | 46.9°F / 8.3°C | No reliable record | — |
| Dec | 26.6°F / -3.0°C | 42.6°F / 5.9°C | No reliable record | — |
NOAA NCEI 1991–2020 U.S. Climate Normals — Alpena, MI
1991–2020 climate normalsReview source ↗NOAA NCEI Coastal Water Temperature Guide — North Huron
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
NOAA-documented Great Lakes wreck: Motor: bulk freighter; 231 feet.
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.
- Vessel type
- Motor: bulk freighter
- Vessel length
- 231 feet
History and significance
The bulk freighter New Orleans sank in a collision with steamer William R. Linn in a fog. The New Orlean ’s crew were rescued by William R. Linn . Divers swim over the deck of the shipwreck New Orleans . Several divers gather over the bow of the shipwreck New Orleans . The winch of the shipwreck New Orleans . New Orleans (1885) by Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary on Sketchfab
Regional context
Located within
Before you arrive
Access notes
Technical dive only. Confirm current conditions, mooring status, gas plan, decompression plan and operator requirements before departure. NOAA coordinates are reference points, not navigation instructions.
Plan within your training
Conditions and hazards
Depth beyond recreational limits, decompression obligations, cold water, limited light, changing visibility, entanglement and possible wreck overheads. Penetration requires separate wreck-penetration training and 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.