NBM Dive Site Resource
Northwestern
Offshore Lake Huron, Michigan, United States
TECHNICAL DIVE ONLY — Northwestern is a Lake Huron shipwreck documented by NOAA at 135 ft / 41 m. This depth exceeds recreational limits and requires appropriate technical and decompression training.
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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.
Why divers know this place
Highlights
NOAA-documented Great Lakes wreck: Sail: wooden brig; 115 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
- Sail: wooden brig
- Vessel length
- 115 feet
History and significance
On a clear September night in 1850, the schooner Northwestern traveled up Lake Huron with a load of salt. Several miles north of Presque Isle, the schooner’s lookout spotted a down-bound steamship traveling on a collision course with the schooner. Since passing nearby ships was routine along Lake Huron’s busy shipping lanes, Northwestern simply adjusted its course to steer clear of the passing steamer. Meanwhile, onboard steamship Monticello , a light was spotted in the distance. The officer on watch, confused about his ship's actual location, mistook this light for that of the Old Presque Isle Lighthouse and changed course. The light belonged to Northwestern . Monticello 's altered course drove it straight into the side of Northwestern . Unable to sustain the impact by the larger and heavier steamship, the schooner quickly sank. Its crew of eight evacuated safely and were rescued. Preserved by the cold, fresh water of Lake Huron, Northwestern rests upright in 135 feet of water. Discovered in 2004 by sport divers, the small schooner leans to its starboard side. A great dive site, Northwestern is intact from stem to stern, although the masts have toppled over to the starboard side. A diver circles the bow of the shipwreck Northwestern
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.