SHIPWRECK OF THE VERNON

June 16, 2015

From the Shipwreck of the Vernon

Photo By Ellery Kretlow Port bow of the Vernon Shipwreck.

On October 25th.1887, the Vernon set out for Mackinac Island making periodic stops along the way to pick up cargo and passengers.

Walter coming into the cargo hold of the Vernon Shipwreck Photo By Ellery Kretlow

The 158ft. wooden passenger and cargo ship found herself in a gale 8 miles northeast of Two Rivers in Wisconsin and took between 40 and 50 people down with her in the frigid sub 40 degree waters to a depth of 205ft.

portside of the Vernon Shipwreck Photo By Ellery Kretlow

The only survivor was found two days later on a small boat.

Cargo of the Vernon Shipwreck Photo By Ellery Kretlow

Reports have been noted that she might have been overloaded and her cargo doors were open which might have caused the Vernon to founder where she lies today.

Bow of the Vernon Shipwreck. Photo By Ellery Kretlow

Vernon Shipwreck Photo By; Jitka Hanakova

Mike Apke, Leo Quartullo, Ellery Kretlow, stayed in Two Rivers the night before so we could get a good night sleep and make our way over to the harbor by 730am.

Vernon Shipwreck Photo By; Jitka Hanakova

I was not able to get the best sleep due to Chris snoring like he was sawing logs all night.

Artifacts inside the Vernon Shipwreck Photo By Ellery Kretlow

In my opinion, she is one of the most impressive Lake Michigan shipwrecks that can be found above 220ft.

Vernon Shipwreck Photo By; Jitka Hanakova

She is very well preserved and intact listing on a 20-30 degree angle on her starboard side.

Shipwreck of the Vernon Photo By Ellery Kretlow

Vernon Shipwreck Photo By; Jitka Hanakova

Some of her cargo is scattered on her starboard side debris field and scattered about inside her holds.

Vernon Shipwreck Photo By Ellery Kretlow

I was absolutely impressed with this shipwreck but at a max depth of 190ft, the narcosis was pretty apparent.

Vernon Shipwreck Photo By Ellery Kretlow

My focus was on our dive plan and procedure so I stuck to the plan until I saw a nice entry point into the wreck with an obvious exit point so we proceeded through and I saw Walter hanging out in the cut.

Walter inside the Vernon shipwreck

Vernon Shipwreck Photo By; Jitka Hanakova

I continued to follow the wreck to the other side but realized we were descending down and scraped 190ft as we exited through the other side.

Vernon Shipwreck Photo By; Jitka Hanakova

We camp back up to a depth of 175 and continued with our dive until it was time to ascend back up to the surface.

Jitka Hanakova at the bow of the Vernon Shipwreck

We got some pics here and there but they did not turn out the way I wanted them.

Vernon Shipwreck Photo By; Jitka Hanakova

Thankfully Jitka was taking photographs and Ellery was using a GoPro and took the best video that I have seen of the Vernon to date.

Original Carvings on the bow of the Vernon Shipwreck

We started our ascent up and followed our decompression procedure flawlessly and got back on the boat without any incident.

Vernon Shipwreck Photo By; Jitka Hanakova

Next to the Sandusky and the Eber Ward, the Vernon was the most impressive shipwreck I have seen in Lake Michigan thus far.

Mike at the bow of the Vernon Shipwreck

That is one shipwreck that I am excited to return to and can’t wait to get back into the inner bowels of her cargo holds, but for now we are on our way to one of the most mysterious and historic shipwrecks of the great lakes, The Rouse Simmons.