NBM Dive Site Resource
Persian
Offshore Lake Huron, Michigan, United States
TECHNICAL DIVE ONLY — Persian is a Lake Huron shipwreck documented by NOAA at 168 ft / 51 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: schooner; 128 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: schooner
- Vessel length
- 128 feet
History and significance
An October 2, 1868 telegram from Oswego, New York, to the Chicago Tribune reads, “The schooner Persian from Chicago to this port with wheat, collided with the schooner E.B. Allen 15 days ago on Lake Huron and as nothing has been heard of the former vessel since, it is feared that she is lost with all on board” ( Chicago Tribune , 3 October 1868). The schooner E.B. Allen arrived in Chicago and reported it collided with the Persian four miles north of Presque Isle. Statements from the crew revealed that both vessels were sailing up Lake Huron when E.B. Allen attempted to pass Persian as they rounded Presque Isle. The maneuver brought the vessels unnecessarily close, and E.B. Allen struck the starboard quarter of the Persian , who had the right of way. Captain Long of E.B. Allen saw Persian head for shore after the impact, and continued on to Chicago. Unfortunately, Persian did not make land and instead sank quickly with all hands and was not seen again until sport divers discovered the shipwreck site in 1991.
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.