Wreck Summary
| Type |
Shipwreck |
| Build |
Steel |
| Location |
Mackinac, Michigan
|
| Depth |
103 feet |
| Length |
588 feet |
| Built |
1927 A.F. Harvey
Renamed 1957
|
| Sank |
1965 |
| Access |
Boat |
| Experience Level |
Advanced |
| Orientation |
Stern on side
Bow almost inverted
|
This is not your average wreck, unless you have a 600-foot long freighter in your backyard.
The Cedarville was struck in dense fog by the Norwegian freighter Topdalsfjord, and snapped nearly in half, likely as she impacted the bottom since the two halves lie so close together. Being so long, don’t expect to cover the entire wreck (without a scooter).
This wreck does not suffer from a lack of things to see. Unfortunately the introduction of zebra mussels is making some items harder to identify, but some are so large it doesn’t matter.
It is quite easy to swim through the break between the bow and stern sections, and damage is everywhere. Due to its size and complexity inside, the Cedarville has been the unfortunate site of numerous dive accidents and close calls. On the morning of our first visit in 2003 a diver in his 50’s failed to return to the surface, and in 2000 a diver ventured inside, got well lost and was lucky to flag down another diver by waving his arm out a small port hole which began a lengthy rescue process.
According to our boat captain, due to the length and depth of this wreck it is common for divers to surface on the wrong line, and a number have had to make emergency free ascents after running low on gas so exercise caution.
This is without a doubt, one of the most famous wrecks in the Great Lakes, and deservedly so. Many areas look to be entirely in tact, and even the "open hearth" limestone which spilled out of the cargo holds adds interest to the site. Penetration of the cargo holds is quite easy since they are so massive but are the definition of "dark". The engine room is accessible but should only be attempted by those properly trained as visibility can drop to zero with just a couple of errant fin kicks and some areas are quite tight.
There is an "M" just under the smokestack, and previously in this space I asked if anyone knew what it would stand for (see top left photo below). Turns out, although it is not entirely apparent in the photo, there is an "L" behind the "M", and I’m told by a kind and knowledgeable soul that together they stand for "Michigan Lime". Many thanks, I am entirely grateful.
