Lucerne (shipwreck)

The Lucerne was a 136-foot wooden-hulled barquentine that sank in Lake Michigan off the coast of Milwaukee, Wisconsin on November 18, 1886. Built in Manitowoc, Wisconsin in 1867, the Lucerne was primarily used to transport grain and other goods across the Great Lakes. On her final voyage, she was laden with a cargo of wheat destined for Buffalo, New York. A severe storm caught the vessel just south of Milwaukee, and heavy seas overwhelmed her, causing her to founder.

The wreck of the Lucerne was discovered in 1970 by Kent Bellrichard. It lies in approximately 170 feet of water and is a popular destination for scuba divers due to its relatively intact condition. The ship's masts are gone, but the hull remains largely complete. The Lucerne is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The shipwreck provides valuable insights into 19th-century Great Lakes shipping and shipbuilding techniques. The wreck site is protected by law, and diving is regulated to ensure its preservation.