Midwest Explorers League - Great Lakes Dive Charts
by Paul Ackerman - Paul Ackerman's six Great Lakes dive charts are among the most valuable
resources currently being produced for Great Lakes divers. They are certainly the
best maps in existence for Great Lakes wrecks. Ackerman is based in Chicago and
collects dive and historical information from divers and publications for use in his
charts. Each chart includes a map of the Lake as well as numeric pinpoints for the
rough locations of each listed wreck. Each numbered wreck on the map references a
short paragraph about the wreck giving LORAN or GPS (if known), brief vessel demographics
and a brief wreck history. Each map lists well over 100 wrecks, so the maps are
really packed with info. The maps' strongpoints are that they list some of the more
osbcure and unidentified wrecks that divers have located and that they include a lot of
numbers for wrecks that are lightly circulated, such as the Lady Elgin. I also like
the fact that they list a lot of undiscovered wrecks which could yet be found and that
they cost only $6 each. The maps' weakpoints are that they leave out many excellent
wrecks, possibly due to space limitations, and that they contain some pretty significant
errors. Because Ackerman relies heavily on the reports of divers, the locational
coordinates on his charts are sometimes inaccurate. The charts' biggest weakness
however, are the many historical, locational and other errors that are included.
About 1 entry in 20 contains some kind of historical or locational error. Given the
size of Ackerman's task, this is certainly forgiveable, and the charts remain one of the
best resources available. As might be expected, more locational info. is included
for the western lakes. The charts are currently available online from Freshwater Press, but they are not explicitly
identified on their website. The charts may also be ordered directly from the
Midwest Explorers League.
To order, call or write to:
Midwest Explorers League
c/o Paul Ackerman
3641 N. Marshfield Ave.
Chicago, IL 60613
(773)525-5138