Dive Review of
Nordic Divers in
The Continental USA/Wisconsin

Fiji, Belize, Bahamas, Bonaire, San Juan Islands, Puget Sound, Puerto Rico,
Honduras, Lake Michigan, Lake Superior, Lake Huron, Mexico

Dive Conditions

Drysuits are recommended this time of the year.  

It's wreck diving, so bring a wide angle lens.  

Overall Rating

On October 22nd, 1929, the 350 foot steamship Milwaukee disappeared with
all on board somewhere on Lake Michigan's vast storm swept expanse. The
Milwaukee became one of many vessels to just "sail through a crack in
the lake" as the old timers say. Five days after the ships
disappearance however, a note is found washed ashore written by an officer
aboard the doomed ship that only adds more questions about the fate of the
ship. In 1972, over forty years after the Milwaukee's loss, the wreck is
finally discovered.

Four of us dove the Milwaukee Memorial Day weekend, and let me say I've
never been out there when the lake was glass calm. With such great surface
conditions, the expectations for the conditions below were high as we
splashed in to 70 foot visibility. Bottom times varied within our group
since some were diving recreationally while my buddy and I were doing a
technical dive. 35 minutes was about all my buddy and I could handle with
the temps being about 42 degrees, we got cold before we were gas limited,
but with another 15 minutes of deco to do, it was going to be a long wait
before we could warm up again.

The wreck looked as she usually does whenever we visit her - a broken heap
on the floor in 125 feet of lakewater. The railroad cars inside her
revealed a myriad of treasures including bathroom fixtures and even an old
automobile. Unfortunately with all the zebra mussels some of the features
of the wreck are obscured. At the stern of the boat can see the massively
misshapen seagate - the result of the battering storms and the rogue
railcar that smashed through the gate. A small portion of this railcar is
can be seen underneath the stern of the boat near the twin props. 

On the port side of the wreck, towards the bow of the vessel, you can also
follow a line to the wheelhouse. It's a bit of a swim, but under good
conditions you can usually see it from the main wreck. Take a close look
around the wheelhouse and you can see some artifacts, as well as the words
"Milwaukee" painted across the top of the door.

Please keep in mind that this is wreck diving, and not for divers that like
lots of fish, critters, or for that matter warm water. On the otherhand if
you love wrecks, then this site should be on your must-see list. A drysuit
is a must in cold 40-45 degree waters, and  especially if you're diving
long profiles. The SS Milwaukke is one of the classic Lake Michigan wrecks
and has been featured on the History Channel's "Deep Sea
Detectives."

The Nordic Diver is an opration that caters to both recreational and
technical divers. The crew is friendly, knowledgable and willing to help
out whenever necessary. All the crew are experienced divers and are eager
to bring you to other wrecks in the area. Boat space is limited to 7-8
divers - fewer if you're doing all tech diving. They've been in the
business for years, and seem to enjoy taking people out to the sites. While
it's only a charter, I would recommend bringing your own snacks/food along.
They do have bottled water aboard. 

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