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Dec. 2007 Vol 10

The Explorer is a regular publication of MSRA distributed via email. For more information visit michiganshipwrecks.org

Letter From the BoardLetter From the BoardLetter From the BoardLetter From the BoardLetter From the Board

Dear MSRA Members,

2008 is shaping up to be the mostactive and exciting year forMSRA. First and foremost,we head into the year as anofficial 501c3 organization.While MSRA was formed asa non-profit, it has not beenconsidered a charitableorganization until theexhaustive process ofapplication and review. Thiswas completed virtuallywithout any outside (andcostly) assistance, ahallmark of MSRAs operation.

The year will see the mountingof two different exhibitshighlighting the work ofMSRA- one with the ZeelandHistorical Society and one withthe Heritage Museum. It will alsosee the publication of a book“From Hennepin to the ThousandFooters – The Rise of the Self-Unloaders by Bill Lafferty and Idue out mid year.

And there is always thehopefulness of one or twodiscoveries. Working with bothNUMA and David Trotter, MSRAhas a better-than-normal chanceof making a discovery this year,because we will be expandingareas covered in prior years as wesearch for Flight 2501 and theAndaste. And as always thereremains the possibil ity of asurprise discovery.

We hope that you will be a part ofthis exciting year will yourcontinued membership and joiningthe team for the 10th annual“Mysteries and Histories- Beneaththe Inland Seas.”

Valerie van HeestValerie van HeestValerie van HeestValerie van HeestValerie van HeestDirector, MSRA

Reserve Tickets now to MSRA’sReserve Tickets now to MSRA’sReserve Tickets now to MSRA’sReserve Tickets now to MSRA’sReserve Tickets now to MSRA’s10th annual shipwreck show on May 3rd.10th annual shipwreck show on May 3rd.10th annual shipwreck show on May 3rd.10th annual shipwreck show on May 3rd.10th annual shipwreck show on May 3rd.

details page 4Please do not confuse this show with other area programs calling themselves ” shipwreck show”

Hennepin listed on National Register of Historic PlacesFollowing MSRA’s 2006 discovery of theHennepin in 230 feet of water off South Haven,Michigan, MSRA set out to nominate thisimportant vessel to the National Register ofHistoric Places. This effort marks the firstnomination prepared by a non-governmententity, the first nomination of a Lake Michiganshipwreck in Michigan waters and mostsignificantly, the first nomination of a shipwreckmade within a year of its discovery before ithas became a recreational dive site.

MSRA’s Valerie van Heest collaborated withmaritime historian William Lafferty to write thenomination, which was presented and

unanimously accepted by the State HistoricPreservation Board in September 2007. TheState forwarded that nomination on to theNational Park Service and in spring 2008, thesite was formally listed.

Despite the immense area of bottomlandsbelonging to Michigan and the large numberof shipwrecks in that area, Hennepin is onlythe 10th shipwreck listed on the register in theState of Michigan. MSRA plans to place amarker at the site this summer.

MSRA will announce the coordinates tothe diving public on May 3rd at the andthen release the coordinates to divers sothat others may visit this unique historicaltreasure.

Keep an eye out for:

The Summer special issue ofMichigan History Magazine

called Destinations.It will feature an article by Valerievan Heest about the Michigan

Underwater Preserve System.The state is recognizing the

power of shipwrecks as touristdestinations!

Its Official!Its Official!Its Official!Its Official!Its Official!

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“A Freshwater Monsoon” to Debut on May 3rd!“A Freshwater Monsoon” to Debut on May 3rd!“A Freshwater Monsoon” to Debut on May 3rd!“A Freshwater Monsoon” to Debut on May 3rd!“A Freshwater Monsoon” to Debut on May 3rd!In 2006 during their annual expedition to discover lostshipwrecks, MSRA came upon an unexpected discovery:a two-masted schooner in deep water off Saugatuck,Michigan. During the summer of 2007, working with theirtechnical diving team, Robert Underhill, Jeff Vos and ToddWhite, MSRA was able to identify the wreck and place it inits proper historical context within Great Lakes maritimehistory.

The most difficult aspect of this project was actuallyidentifying the wreck. Several schooners have gone missingoff the shores of West Michigan, however little archivalinformation remains to help pinpoint the exact location ofthe sinking of the ships. After more than a year of study,they have been able to determine the identity with somecertainly and have been able to tie the vessel into theburgeoning 19th century lumber industry in West Michigan.

Their efforts will debut in Michigan at the annual “Mysteries and Histories Beneath The InlandSeas” event on May 3rd at the Knickerbocker Theatre in a program entitled “A FreshwaterMonsoon.”

Tickets for the annual program are available by sending in a check, or by using PayPal atMSRA’s web site, www.michiganshipwrecks.org .

The original framed inkdrawing of Artist RobertDoornbos’s rendering of thenewly discovered schoonerwill be auctioned off at the10th annual Mysteries andHistories Program. Printssuitable for framing will alsobe available.

While almost everybody knows Northwest Airlines Flight 2501 crashed somewhere between St.Joseph and South Haven in 1950, almost nobody knows about another plane crash that happenedthe same year, and between the same two cities as Flight 2501.

On Monday, April 10, 1950, a Navy PV-2 Neptune bomber ditched along the shore of Lake Michigan,after circling the Benton Harbor/ St. Joe area for two hours. The plane was returning from aweekend flight to Bermuda by way of Norfolk, VA., when its crew lost their bearings. Heavy rainand fog made visibility almost zero.

The bomber came to rest in 8’ of water off Jean Klock Park. The pilot decided to ditch the planewhen it had only minutes of fuel left. He put her down on the glassy calm water with the landinggear up, making a “slap” sound upon impact. All eight of the crew made it to shore with the helpof local residents in a canoe.

The bomber was salvaged a week later by the Speidel MarineConstruction company, under contract with the U.S. Navy. Thesalvage company lifted the bomber aboard a barge using a largecrane mounted on the barge. The bomber was then brought out todeep water, per Navy protocol, and dropped to the bottom, where shestill lies today.

The bomber was remarkably intact when dumped over the side of thebarge, and most likely remains in pristine condition, waiting to bediscovered and explored. Thanks to MSRA member and researcher,Chriss Lyon, who was doing some research on Flight 2501, thisstory was uncovered and will prove invaluable in the quest to makethis piece of history known and possibly to uncover its location in thefuture. Ross Richardson

MSRA Uncovers Information on littleMSRA Uncovers Information on littleMSRA Uncovers Information on littleMSRA Uncovers Information on littleMSRA Uncovers Information on little-----known Wreckknown Wreckknown Wreckknown Wreckknown Wreck

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MMMMM

New Publishing company launched as a partner to MSRANew Publishing company launched as a partner to MSRANew Publishing company launched as a partner to MSRANew Publishing company launched as a partner to MSRANew Publishing company launched as a partner to MSRA

Valerie will besigning copies ofher books at theMay 3rd Program.If you can’t bethere, considerordering yourcopy at www.in-deptheditions.com

Take advantageof all the MSRAteam, the techni-cal diving teamand DavidTrotter, who willbe at the May3rd program,and have every-one sign yourbook!

In-Depth Editions, has recently been launched to serve as the publishing partner for MSRA. Ithas published the first of multiple books being developed by the MSRA Board, its membersand affiliates. “ICEBOUND! The Adventures of Young George Sheldon and the SSMichigan”, is a young readers book, written by Valerie van Heest.

ICEBOUND! is an illustrated, inspiring two-part story of perseverance and bravery that beginsin 1885 with the story of the ordeal of the crew of the SS Michigan. The crew of the SSMichigan was stranded on their ship in the thick ice of Lake Michigan for 40 days beforeescaping just prior to the ships being crushes and sinking in 275 feet of water. The book

concludes in the present day with the discovery of the wreck by MSRA. The book has alreadyreceived an honor. The Association for Great Lakes Maritime History has awarded MSRAwith a publishing grant for the book. Visit their web site at www.aglmh.org to learn more aboutpreserving Great Lakes maritime History

All ages enjoy ICEBOUND too!

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MSRA Partners with Zeeland Historical SocietyMSRA Partners with Zeeland Historical SocietyMSRA Partners with Zeeland Historical SocietyMSRA Partners with Zeeland Historical SocietyMSRA Partners with Zeeland Historical Societyin new exhibit: Lost and Found Shipwrecks of West Michigan

The Zeeland Historical Society is mounting a nine-monthexhibit that at the Dekker Huis Historical Museum at 37East Main Street in Zeeland. The exhibit, entitled “Lost andFound – Shipwrecks of West Michigan”, will be designed byMSRA’s Valerie van Heest who will serve also as the guestcurator.

Artist Robert Doornbos will collaborate with van Heest onthe graphic design for the panels. The exhibit will featureresearch from several prominent historians and authors. Theyinclude schooner expert Ted Karamanski from Chicago,Great Lakes Maritime historian C. Patrick Labadie from theThunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary, railroad expertRobert Vande Vusse, Brendon Baillod, Stan Grayson andothers including MSRA’s own Craig Rich, Ross Richardsonand Geoffrey Reynolds.

The exhibit will run through August and include a series ofexciting programs throughout the event featuring many ofthe noted experts.

LOST AND FOUND!Shipwrecks of West Michigan

Of the estimated 2,000 to 3,000 ships gone missing on Lake Michigan,dozens of shipwrecks lie scattered off the shores of Western Michigan,recalling the roots of these lakeshore communities that developed largelybecause of their proximity to the water-based transportation system.

Decades later, these submerged ships have become cultural and historicalartifacts. Serendipitously, the waters off Western Michigan containa wide variety of vessel types. If studied together, they offer anearly complete representation of the evolution of marinetransportation and travel on Lake Michigan. All are maintained in anearly timeless state of preservation by the fresh waters.

Finding these shipwrecks is a challenge. Recent expeditions by MichiganShipwrecks Research Associates have uncovered many lost vessels.Study and documentation of these shipwrecks has broadened the richcultural fabric of our communities, so steeped in maritime history.

Reef your sails, stoke your fires, gas up your engine and don your scubagear to explore the lost and found shipwrecks off western Michigan.

This is a sample of one of the exhibit panels currently in design

Introductory text for the exhibitSeveral months ago, a womanfrom the East Coast, CarolynMaruggi, ordered one of MSRADVDs- “The Verano, a Portholeto the Past.” (about the yachtthat sank in 1946 off SouthHaven.) In follow-upconversations, MSRA learnedthat Carolyn is the daughter ofJ. Robert Baumgartner, thesecond-to-the- last owner of theVerano, and inherited herfather’s painting of the yacht.

Carolyn generously offered todonate the painting and afterlengthy discussions, MSRAarranged the donation throughthe Michigan MaritimeMuseum.

The Verano finally reaches PortThe Verano finally reaches PortThe Verano finally reaches PortThe Verano finally reaches PortThe Verano finally reaches Port

This beautiful painting of theVerano will make its debut at theZeeland Exhibit.

MSRA wishes to extend thanks toCarolyn Maruggi and her familyfor their offer to bring thepainting back into the GreatLakes Region. It is almost as ifthe Verano made it home to port!

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MSRA Board of Directors

Valerie Olson van HeestGeoffrey ReynoldsCraig RichRoss RichardsonJack van Heest

Michigan Shipwreck Research Associates,is a Michigan nonprofit corporation, whosemission is to Preserve Michigan’ssubmerged maritime history. To that end,the organization’s work includes research,exploration, documentation and educationregarding historic shipwrecks within Michiganwaters, with an initial emphasis on the area offWest Michigan. MSRA works in cooperationwith State Agencies. As a Holland-basedvolunteer-driven organization, MSRA relieson memberships, fundraising events andgrants to continue its work.

1134 Goodwood CourtHolland, Michigan 49424

www.michiganshipwrecks.org

Associates

William Lafferty, PhDDirector of Research

Arthur AllenOceanographer, U.S. Coast Guard

Brendon BaillodHistorian/Writer

Jed JaworskiMaritime Historian

Dr. Guy MeadowsUniversity of Michigan

Kenneth PottMaritime Archaeologist

Dr. David SchwabOceanographer, GLERL

Continued Research on the AndasteContinued Research on the AndasteContinued Research on the AndasteContinued Research on the AndasteContinued Research on the AndasteAfter the discovery of the historic Hennepin,which MSRA has proven to be the world’sfirst self-unloading steamer, MSRA steppedup their research on the Hennepin’sreplacement ship, the Andaste, which hadbeen modified in the early 20th century to aself-unloader with an upgraded system — thepatented “tunnel scraper” system. Theirresearch led them to begin a searchexpedition to uncover the location of theAndaste, teaming with shipwreck hunterDavid Trotter.

During the 2007 search expedition, the teamwas able to cover more bottom territory thanever before (65 Square miles) but unfortunately, the vessel remains elusive. They are hopefulthat they will be able to close in on the wreck during the 2008 expedition. MSRA is teamingwith researcher William Lafferty, the country’s foremost expert on self-unloaders.

Clive Cussler’s “National Underwater Marine Agency” continues to collaborate with MSRAto locate the submerged wreck site of Northwest Airlines Flight 2501, the country’s single

greatest commercial aviation disasterin 1950. In 2007, the team coveredan additional 25 square miles insearch of remnants of the plane.Instead, they discovered a lone anchorand 150 feet of chain. The teamsuspects that when they continue tosearch the area in 2008 they maydiscover a ship that lost that anchor.Could it be the Farnum? TheKalamazoo? The Chicora? Or maybenothing. Perhaps the ship that lostthe anchor sailed safely home to port.

One thing is sure, MSRA hascontinued to research the crash of

Flight 2501 and has uncovered thousands of pages of court files and contacted families of 45 ofthe 58 victims. What began as a historical challenge to discover a never-before-found crash sitehas turned into a quest to find closure for the families who lost loved ones.

MSRA receives 2008 Grant fromGreat Lakes Shipwreck Research Foundation

For the past five years, MSRA has been awarded a grant from Great Lakes ShipwreckResearch Foundation, a non-profit organization based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin andorganized for the purpose of furthering public awareness of our Great Lakes marine heritagethrough education and research, and promoting conservation, study and responsible enjoymentof historic Great Lakes shipwrecks by divers and non divers.

Each year GLSRF hosts an annual conference open to the public, featuring programs aboutthe discovery and documentation of Great Lakes shipwrecks. Profits from the conference arein turn granted to other organizations which further both their own missions and the missionof GLSRF. Kimm Stabelfeldt, co-founder of GLSRF will be on hand at MSRA’s annualprogram on May 3rd to present the grant. Come to the event and share the joy!

Continued Search for Northwest Flight 2501Continued Search for Northwest Flight 2501Continued Search for Northwest Flight 2501Continued Search for Northwest Flight 2501Continued Search for Northwest Flight 2501

NUMA’s Ralph Wilbanks will continue to lead the searchoperations on Lake Michigan