Tropical dive sites may be visually exciting for the vivid colors and wide variety of sea life, but those who are interested in maritime history will find thousands of exciting wrecks right here in the Midwest. And it won't cost a bundle or a lot of time to get to them. Novice divers especially will appreciate the fact that there is a wreck near Evanston, Illinois, that they can swim to from a beach. The George Morley, a wood-hull freighter that sank in 1892, is a perfect wreck dive for beginners. It's about 300 yards off shore and about 15 feet down. The ravages and parasitic sea life of the oceans would have left little or nothing of the Morley. The fresh water and lack of parasites in Lake Michigan were key factors in preserving most of the wooden beams and portions of the hull. Every spring, the Rachel Carson Scuba Corps puts an orange buoy on the Morley so divers can find her easily. The Morley is not far from a boat ramp, so we highly recommend dive flags due to the substantial motor boat traffic in this area. Divers should also remember to watch for windsurfers, lasers, hobie cats and other small boats. The operators of these craft usually are not familiar with the meaning of a dive flag.

The J.D. MARSHALL, a wood-hulled steamer built in 1891, was a part of the Hines Lumber fleet until about 1910, when she was purchased by the Independent Sand and Gravel Co. She was hauling 400 cubic yards of sand from the Indiana shore line to Lincoln Park in Chicago in June of 1911, when she sprung a leak. Capt. Leroy Rand turned her about and brought her in closer to shore to anchor and repair the leak. No sooner was the leak repaired when she sprung another, causing her to capsize and send six men to a watery grave. She floated upside down for a month, scattering tools and equipment along the bottom of the lake. When her boiler finally fell out, she sank to the bottom. The 154-foot wreck sits upside down in 32 feet of water about 600 yards north of the water tower off the western boundary of the Indiana Dunes National Park. Lucky divers may find tools and other artifacts in the sand. The boiler and propeller are still with her. CHECK STATE LAWS REGARDING WRECKS BEFORE SALVAGING ITEMS OFF THE WRECK! DIVERS HAVE BEEN PROSECUTED!

Ever thought of taking your next dive trip to Wisconsin? There are plenty of wrecks around Milwaukee, Whitefish Bay and other areas. The steamer APPOMATTOX, for example is a prime example of a turn-of-the-century freight vessel. This wood-hulled steamer was built in 1896 at West Bay, Michigan, was 319 feet long, and served her owners uneventfully for only nine years. On November 2, 1906, she was hauling a load of coal when she became stranded on North Point at Atwater Beach (just north of Milwaukee). Heavy smoke blowing out from Milwaukee lowered visibility, and navigation became so difficult that two other ships also became stranded. These two were pulled free the next day, but the Appomattox suffered hull damage and was taking water in her cargo holds. The crew tried lightening the cargo load, but to no avail. She was finally abandoned as a total loss on November 7, and salvors gave up on the 13th. Only 150 yards off shore, the Appomattox is an easy dive. The wreck is about 15 to 20 deep and somewhat scattered. There is one large section more than 300 feet long. The boilers lie to the east of the main wreck. Loran 32969.2 - 49231.2

The Material Service Barge is a popular Chicago wreck that is easy to get to and interesting to dive on. Nearly 240 feet long, she sits in 40 feet of water. Built in 1928, she spent almost eight years hauling materials for the Material Service Corporation before being swamped by in stormy waters near Calumet Harbor at 95th Street in 1936 while carrying 2000 tons of crushed stone. She had seen more than her share of trouble during her short life, including an explosion that was investigated by the federal government and determined to be politically motivated. Even the circumstances that caused the Material Service to sink were investigated. There were several theories: Some said the cargo hatches to be covered and the engine room's water tight doors were left open during rough weather, causing her cargo to become saturated and the engine room to flood. Others said she hit the Calumet Shoals and ripped open. None of them have ever been proven conclusively. Only seven of the 22 crewmen survived. Although she was dynamited in the 1970s to ensure the safety of divers, the Material Service is among the most complete wrecks in the area. A dive flag is strongly recommended due to heavy boat traffic in the area. Loran 33426.3 - 50201.4

The Wells Burt is another easy dive, although a little harder to reach. She's a few miles off of Evanston (Loran 33325.5 - 49977.8). This three-masted schooner sank in a storm in 1883 and lies about 45 feet down. Eight of her crew, including Capt. Thomas Fountain, perished. A plaque is mounted toward the bow in their honor. She's considered one of the more interesting wrecks along the Illinois coast line. Watch this page for more interesting wrecks along Lake Michigan's "south coast."