Minnesota lake wrecks

Listen to this article In Minnesota, located in the northern United States, archaeologists are finding more and more previously unknown wrecks. Efforts to explore the bottom of Lake Minnetonka have led to the discovery of 3 new vessels, a tourist attraction at the turn of the 20th century. Many of the ships found are steamers,

ByTomasz Andrukajtis

Published: April 23, 2012 - 06:01

Updated: July 22, 2023 - 05:49

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In Minnesota, located in the northern United States, archaeologists are finding more and more previously unknown wrecks. Efforts to explore the bottom of Lake Minnetonka have led to the discovery of 3 new vessels, a tourist attraction at the turn of the 20th century.

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Many of the ships found are steamers, ferries and barges, which, after becoming useless, were cleared of valuable and still usable elements and then deliberately sunk. The lack of period objects, however, does not change the fact that, historically speaking, this is a very valuable find.

All newly discovered wrecks will be marked on the map and will complete the list of those already known. Thanks to this, it will be easier to take care of their further fate. Also divers wishing to see them with their own eyes will have their task made easier.

In addition to the aforementioned newly discovered wrecks, there are 6 other well known wrecks resting in the lake. 5 of them are located north of Big Island, where at the beginning of the 20th century there was a large amusement park. Most of these finds were used in the past as means of transport, a’la water trams, between different towns and popular tourist locations of the time.

In the mid-1990s it was decided to hire archaeologists to explore specific areas in Lake Minnetoka, the Mississippi River and Lake Superior. The result of this effort, in addition to finding several new wrecks, was the identification of some vessels.

In 2005. A non-profit organisation dedicated to the preservation of historical heritage was established. It carries out scientific and educational activities in the state of Minnesota. It collects documentation and information that can help protect and preserve underwater finds.

Source: startribune.com

About author

Tomasz Andrukajtis

Editor-in-chief of the DIVERS24 portal and magazine. Responsible for obtaining, translating and developing content. He also supervises all publications. Achived his first diving certification – P1 CMAS, in 2000. Has a degree in journalism and social communication. In the diving industry since 2008.