Lake Huron is the second-largest of the Great Lakes and the third largest fresh water lake on Earth, with more than a thousand wrecks being recorded. At least eleven of these shipwrecks are contained in the Straits of Mackinac Shipwreck Preserve. 3 mi/4.8 km east of Mackinac Bridge lies what's left of the Cedarville. Being in a very good condition, because of its close proximity to the surface, the shipwreck has much to explore.
Cedarville wreck is one of the modern shipwrecks, added to the count of wrecks in the Straits of Mackinac area. Built in 1927, the Cedarville was travelling on May 7, 1965 between Michigan and Indiana with a load of 14411 tons of limestone. A heavy fog and the miscommunication between Cedarville and the Norwegian ship SS Topdalsfjord led to their collision and Cedarville’s sinking. The wreck of Cedarville lies heavily salvaged in the Straits of Mackinac Shipwreck Preserve, with the cargo of limestone lying spilled on Lake’s Huron floor.
This Steel Steam Freighter has 588 ft/179.22 m length and 60 ft/18.28 m beam. The Cedarville now lies on its starboard side, nearly broken in two. Hazards such as open doors and hatchways, confined spaces and heavy interior silt should deter divers without proper training from attempting to penetrate. Because of its partly inversion, you should also keep in mind that divers usually tend to get disoriented.
And now the good news. The wreck’s pilothouse is easily accessible and the engine room and large cargo holds can be accessed without a particular difficulty. The forward is intact and so is the stern, that features the galley and crew quarters. The bow and stern sections are easily buoyed. The hull can be reached at about 40 ft/12.19 m depth, but if you want to check out the unloader arm, you should get to the bottom at 105 ft/32 m depth. Remember to charge your underwater camera and capture the moments of one of the most exciting dives of your life!!!
