Uganda Shipwreck Straights of Mackinac

Here is a link to a youtube post on a video I shot this August while diving with Shipwreck Explorers. Shipwreck Explorers The wreck of the Uganda is in the west part of the Straights of Mackinac, or North tip of Lake Michigan. Jitka launched out of the new public marina in Mackinaw City and our group of OC and CCR divers headed out to dive the stern section. Upon arrival we could not find the stern jug, so we moored on the bow. The wreck lies in a river bed and the action of the Straights must have an affect on this wreck as I hear it has a ripping current. There was a moderate current flowing from bow to stern, so we swiftly made our way to the stern as I was interested in filming the engine room. The wreck sits in about 200 feet, and there is plenty of ambient light, and both times I have been on this wreck the vis was very good (once no current, once with moderate current). It is a neat shipwreck, very intact hull with bow and stern cabins blown off, however there is a unique center cabin which is very intact with windows, and interior features. The stern hit hard and popped some of the interior walls out of engine room, but an easy penetration.

Thanks to Jitka for editing the video, and posting it.

YouTube - Uganda.mpg

Ron



Silent Explorers
www.silentxplorers.com

We also dove this wreck a few months ago and I really liked it. The jug was missing at the stern then also but from the wreck there is a line going up. Nice video.

Mighty big dive lights, lots of Zebra mussels. Thanks for the pictures of the Mighty Mac Bridge. I left Mich. 20 years ago, don't miss the coooooooold water.

The diver is carrying a small (ten watt) Dive Rite LED light that I modified with a "home despot" reflector and plastic defusing sheet in front. We found the pencil thin light beam blew away the subjects. We picked up on this idea from one of Wes Skiles cave videos, and did our own home build. I'm still working on the video lighting as this was my second attempt using borrowed video lights. More to follow