About Revisions Rotarian Chicago, IL More Info Max Depth: 71-80ft/22-24m Average Viz: 16-20ft/5-6m Entry Type: Boat Bottom Composition: Clay/Muck Aquatic Life: Might See Something Summer: 50-55°F/10-13°C 9/08/2009 9:01 AM

The Rotarian has one of the more exotic histories of the Chicago wrecks. A 147-foot-long wooden steamer built in 1889 at Sandusky , Ohio , this vessel spent many years as a passenger excursion ship. When it moved to Chicago in the 1920’s, this aging vessel was used successively as a dance hall, the home of the Cook County Democrats, and as a restaurant that fronted a “blind pig,” offering illegal bootleg alcohol during Prohibition. Reputedly even Al Capone entertained here! After sinking at its dock, the Rotarian was raised and towed out into Lake Michigan on Sept. 28, 1931 , and scuttled. The wreck lies at 84 feet with much to see: boiler, the collapsed hull, its propeller, and, amidst the hull timbers, numerous beer bottles from Prohibition days. Removal of anything from a Great Lakes shipwreck is illegal; besides, future divers will enjoy seeing these artifacts on their shipwreck!


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