E.J. LaWay Jr.
Built in 1914 in Cheboygan, Michigan, the E. J. LaWay, Jr. was named for Captain Edward J. LaWay’s young son. Known simply as the “EJ,” the vessel hauled bulk and packaged cargo throughout the upper Great Lakes for more than a decade — the backbone of the family’s livelihood.
The Final Voyage
In April of 1929, the EJ set out to deliver coal to a fishing camp on Burnt Island, north of Drummond Island. After loading at Lime Island, the vessel pushed slowly through heavy ice. Near Chippewa Point, the crew entered open water and increased speed — only to discover that ice had punctured the hull. What Captain LaWay believed had been temporarily sealed by frozen slush gave way, and the vessel began taking on water rapidly.
Despite efforts to run her aground, the EJ sank in deep water. The crew escaped safely. The loss came just months before the Great Depression, ending the LaWay family’s primary source of income.
The Wreck Today
The EJ rests in 50 feet of water and is widely regarded as one of the most impressive shipwrecks in the region. The bow has collapsed and opened outward, but much of the vessel remains remarkably intact — the ship’s wheel, steam steering gear, boiler, engine, rudder, and propeller are all still in place. A large debris field nearby holds galley equipment, an oak icebox, cooking utensils, and coal scattered across the lakebed, frozen in time from the vessel’s final moments.
A must-see for serious wreck divers: rare preservation, abundant artifacts, and a powerful story beneath the surface.
- Built: 1914 · Cheboygan, MI
- Vessel Type: Steam-powered cargo vessel
- Cargo on Final Voyage: Coal
- Location: Near Chippewa Point, Drummond Island
- Water Depth: 50 feet
- Best For: Recreational & advanced divers
