Erie L. Hackley, Wooden passenger ship in Lake Michigan, US
The Erie L. Hackley was a wooden passenger ship that operated on Lake Michigan carrying passengers and cargo between multiple ports. The vessel measured approximately 79 feet in length with a 17-foot beam and was later modified with higher forward bulwarks and a raised pilothouse to better handle open water conditions.
The ship was built in 1882 in Muskegon, Michigan by J.P. Arnold and initially operated as a ferry between Muskegon and North Muskegon. Over time it expanded its routes to serve various ports along the Wisconsin coast until it sank in 1903.
The ship became known locally as the 'Egg Harbor Express' because it carried passengers and goods regularly across Green Bay. This nickname reflected how much the communities depended on this transportation link.
The wreck rests upright at a depth of about 110 feet near Green Island and is accessible only to experienced divers. Water visibility and conditions vary by season, so careful planning is necessary before any dive attempt.
The wreck was discovered in 1980 despite sinking in 1903, remaining hidden on the lake floor for many decades. Its machinery and cargo remain visible today, offering a glimpse into the vessel as it was in the 1880s.
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