Program

 
 

US Navy Divers Talk About 35W Bridge Recovery Effort
by Deep Sea Divers Chief Justin Scarborough & ND1 Glen Milisci

After the 35W Bridge collapsed the US Navy divers were called in to do the "heavy lifting" part of this dangerous recovery effort.  Learn first hand from the men who were there about the challenges of this unforgiving environment.  Chief Scarborough and Navy Diver Glen Milisci will introduce you to the history and the impact of US NAVY diving directives in the diving world and the history of Mobile Diving and Salvage Unit 2 (MDSU2) and their directives.  They will then describe the participation of the Mobile Diving and Salvage Unit 2 (MDSU2) in the 35W Bridge Recovery Operation.  (Since these key Navy divers are always on call, if a situation arises that demands their attention, the talk may be delivered by one of their assistants.)

 
Two Ships Frozen in Time
 by Dave Trotter, Undersea Research Associates

The 163’ Barqentine H. P. Bridge, built in 1863 during the Civil War, was only four years old when fate was to harshly intervene on May 11, 1869. Struck amidships by the Steamer Colorado, the Bridge disappeared. 135 years later, what the expedition team discovered amazed everyone….the ship appeared to be suspended in time. All masts upright, and unique features so pristine that the explorers felt they were in a time capsule!    The 328’ Steamer W. C. Gilbert, lost in the brutal collision with the Steamer Caldera in 1914, disappeared beneath the surface in less than 5 minutes. Due to the heroic efforts of her Captain, the crew survived. Now two ships, generations apart in design, size, & construction, rest quietly just a few miles apart, in the cold, deep waters of Lake Huron. It is an exciting tale of adventure and discovery of ships that are “Frozen in Time.”
Icebound Found! The Ordeal of the S.S. Michigan
by Jack VanHeest and Valerie Olson VanHeest, Michigan Shipwreck Research Associates

"Difficulties are just things to overcome after all"   This quote, made famous by Captain Ernest Shackleton when he and his crew of 27 returned from Antarctica safely nine months after his ship Endurance sank, could certainly have been the sentiment of Captain Prindeville as a similar drama played out on the ice-encrusted Lake Michigan. In 1885 Prindeville and his 29-man crew on the S.S. Michigan became icebound off West Michigan during one of the worst winter storms in history. After 40 days their ship was crushed by the ice and sank, forcing them onto the ice-covered lake. With stamina and perseverance all 30 people made it safely to shore in this local tale of endurance! It would also take endurance for the members of Michigan Shipwreck Research Associates to search for the sunken remains of this 200-foot steamer. Working with noted shipwreck explorer, David Trotter, the team to persisted over three years and 50 square miles to finally locate the wreck in deep water off Holland, Michigan. The multifaceted tale is told through a riveting and accurate historic reenactment, an unfolding search effort punctuated with highs and lows, and the camera lens of a technical diving team, as MSRA explores the intact remains of this historic vessel, 275 feet beneath Lake Michigan, and learns first-hand just how difficulties can be overcome.
Coast Guard Cutter Rescues
by Rick Mixter

Cutter Rescues chronicles the amazing history of four Great Lakes Coast Guard cutters; Mackinaw, Sundew, Hollyhock and Escanaba.  The program profiles seven rescues that saved over 200 lives from 1934 until 1966, and also features the tragic irony of the loss of the Escanaba, which was built in Bay City, Michigan and lost after a mysterious explosion near Greenland.  Rare footage and interviews from 4 survivors and 7 crewmembers make this a unique salute to the men and women who protect lives on our inland seas.  Hosted by Rick Mixter of Airworthy Productions.

 

 
Searching for the L-19 Birddog airplane lost in Green Lake in 1958
by  Bill Matthies

On a foggy night in October of 1958 while heading for Minneapolis in his military L-19 airplane Captain Carey ran out of gas over Green Lake near Spicer, Minnesota.  An extensive search took place with no luck.

In 1964 Bill Matthies was contacted by the local C.A.P. to try to find that plane, because they had been given the salvage right to the radio equipment if the plane could be found before seven years had passed.  Bill's story included the searches he made back then with no luck, and the subsequent discovery of the plane in 2005.  It also includes an interview of Captain Carey's daughter Colleen, who was only 8 months old at the time of the crash, and video of her diving on her father's plane almost 48 years later.

The plane has now been recovered and is in the process of being restored for display.
What's Happening in GLSPS
by Steve Daniel, President of GLSPS

This was the year of the projects.  Two Nominations to the National Register of Historic Places were completed, submitted by the Historical Societies and approved for listing.  Completion of the Preservation enabled more dive projects to be scheduled.  Steve will share an overview of the projects and several underwater photos of GLSPS volunteers performing operations on shipwrecks.

 

Also remember to come to Friday Night at the Movies starting at 7:30 PM.   We will have hors d'oeuvres, drinks, and movies.  If you have a movie to show, bring it and join the fun.  Everyone is invited.