Wisconsin's Great Lakes Shipwrecks - Explore Shipwrecks


	LORAN
	Long-range navigation system that uses radio signals transmitted at specific times. An onboard receiver computes position by measuring the difference in time of signal reception.


	GPS
	(Global Positioning System) A navigation system that uses satellites to provide a receiver anywhere on Earth with extremely accurate measurements of its three-dimensional position, velocity and time.


	bow
	The forward part of a ship.


	hull
	The body or shell of a ship.


	starboard
	The side of a ship that is on the right when a person faces forward.


	midships
	Roughly halfway between a ship's stem and stern.


	deck
	Horizontal or cambered and sloping surfaces on a ship, like floors in a building.


	forecastle
	The section of the upper deck of a ship located at the bow forward of the foremast.


	windlass
	A machine designed to raise or lower an anchor.


	capstan
	A vertical, spool-shaped rotating drum around which cable, hawser or chain is wound for hoisting anchors, sails and other heavy weights.


	chain locker
	A compartment in the lower part of a ship for stowing an anchor chain.


	stern
	The aftermost part of a ship.


	sternpost
	The principal vertical timber in a ship's stern, upon which the rudder is fastened.


	transom
	The flat, vertical aft end of a ship.


	rudder
	A device attached upright to the stern of a ship and used to steer it.


	cabin
	An enclosed compartment in a ship; used as shelter or living quarters.


	spar
	A long, round stick of steel or wood, often tapered at one or both ends, and usually a part of a ship's masts or rigging.

Wisconsin's Great Lakes Shipwrecks - Explore Shipwrecks - Lucerne

LUCERNE

Depth:

25 Feet |

Condition:

Hull is intact and upright on a sand bottom. Cargo of iron ore is still scattered around wreck.

You can find the Lucerne in 24 feet of water off the northeast side of Long Island, near Ashland, Wis. ( LORAN : 32434.6, 46234.9; GPS : N 46° 43.389', W 90° 46.035'). The Lucerne is number one on our map of the Apostle Islands .

Underwater visibility at the site varies from 5 to 40 feet, depending on the weather. Water temperature in the summer ranges from 40° to 60° F.

The top of the Lucerne's bow is 15 feet below the water's surface. The ship's hull is remarkably intact, with the bow and starboard midships preserved up to the deck level. Much of the hull has settled into the sand bottom, and the ship's iron cargo remains scattered around the wreck. Part of the forecastle deck is intact, including the Lucerne's windlass and capstan , beneath which is the chain locker . The stern is intact up to the top of the sternpost and transom , but the rudder and steering gear are missing. According to eyewitnesses, the upper stern and cabin floated ashore soon after the Lucerne's demise. The vessel's spars are gone; they were probably salvaged soon after the wreck or were carried away by ice.

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