As the ice forged by a brutal winter melted on Lake Michigan, various century-old shipwrecks became visible through the now clear waters.
On a routine patrol Friday, April 24, the Coast Guard spotted several ships strewn across the bottom of Lake Michigan near Sleeping Bear Point.
The fresh water of the lake helps keep the ships preserved compared to the corrosive salt water of oceans, AccuWeather.com Meteorologist Dave Samuhel said.
The ships are visible every few years due to changes in water levels and clarity.
When Michigan's lumber industry was at its peak, the area became a hotbed for passing ships. Now, the passage is a key destination for shipwreck diving.