SS Jarvis Lord

The SS Jarvis Lord is a wooden bulk freighter whose remains scatter across the lake bed in the Manitou Passage within Lake Michigan. This vessel was built to transport iron ore across the Great Lakes and measures approximately 180 feet in length.

The ship was built in 1872 and sank on August 18, 1885, after the Manitou Islands when it took on water during its voyage. The wreck remained undiscovered for over a century until located in 2020.

The discovery of this vessel by Ross Richardson in 2020 expanded the documented maritime heritage of the Great Lakes region.

Access to the wreck site is restricted to certified divers with experience in deep water and navigation skills. The location requires careful dive planning due to its exposure to currents in the open waters.

Survivors reported being struck by debris as they escaped the sinking vessel, with the ship breaking apart beneath them in the water. These accounts capture the chaos of its final moments.

Location: Leelanau County

GPS coordinates: 44.96306,-85.98972

Latest update: December 14, 2025 12:24