June 2006 Vol 5

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

May 2006 marked thethird season that CliveCussler has sent histeam headed byarchaeologist andside scan expertRalph Wilbanks, toSouth Haven to workwith MSRA to searchfor the remains of thelost Flight 2501.

The DC-4 dis-sappeared off SouthHaven on June 23,1950. Soon thereafterthe South Haven life saving station sent out surf boats in an attempt to find survivors, but the small bitsof debris confirmed the horrible truth that 58 persons were lost with the plane. In the days that followed,the Navy and the Coast Guard picked up debris and searched the bottom for any indication of wreckage.Nothing was ever found. The Korean War which began on May 25th, and combined with South Haven’sneed to open beached for the Fourth of July tourist season, the tragedy was soon forgotten. Officials

declared there was insufficient evidence to determine acause for the accident.

This year Wilbanks was joined veteran “2501” searcher SteveHoward who served as boat pilot, and archaeologist HarryPecorelli joined the team for the first time. Harry served asProject Archaeologist for the excavation and documentationof the Civil War submarine Hunley, located by Cussler,Wilbanks, Pecorelli and the NUMA team.

The team got off to a good start, but encountered bad weatherfor several days in early May. Despite that, the team, withMSRA personnel joining as schedules allowed, was able tosearch 17 days out of the entire month. The image to the leftdiagrams the area covered so far in 2004, 2005 and 2006.The darkened area represents a photo mosaic that Wilbankswas able to create for this year’s coverage with new softwarehe has obtained. All together more than 45 square mileshave been covered. It is unfathomable that with the extensiverecords and research MSRA has gathered and the expertiseof Wilbanks and his team that theplane has not yet been found. But

MSRA and Cussler have faced this disappointment many times. In the spiritof never giving up, Cussler’s team will return next May to pursue the searchfor Flight 2501.

One unusual target was uncovered this year by Wilbanks, but It is not likelythe airplane. Instead it appears to be the rib cage of a 30’ long prehistoriclake monster, (or perhaps more likely a small vessel of some sort). The ribssuggest wooden construction. MSRA is planning future dives on this targetto determine what it represents.

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

Greetings MSRA members andFriends,

MSRA has a lot to be thankful for.Thanks to all of you and thehundreds of others who attendedthis years “Evening Beneath theInland Seas”, the fundraising eventwas a great success, and webelieve that everyone enjoyed theprogram.

The success of the event will allowMSRA to conduct another searchseason with expert sonar operatorDavid Trotter. Read about the plansfor Shipwreck Quest 2006 on thesecond page.

While we did not locate the remainsof Flight 2501 this year, CliveCussler has given his support foryet a fourth season of searching nextyear and plans arealready underway forthat effort.

The Skoug and theKaufmann families,who each lost a parentin the tragedy of Flight2501 have asked us toforward their thanks toall of you who we sup-portive of their sharingmemories of their lostloved ones at the May6th event. They wouldalso like to join MSRAin expressing heartfeltthanks to Chuck andShirley Cooper for theuse of their beautifulyacht the “Seven C’s”for the memorial ser-vice.

Without members like the Coopersand the rest of you, MSRA could notcontinue with our mission to“Preserve Michigan’s SubmergedHistory.”

Thank you all!Valerie Olson VanHeestValerie Olson VanHeestValerie Olson VanHeestValerie Olson VanHeestValerie Olson VanHeest

The Flight 2501 Search Continues....The Flight 2501 Search Continues....The Flight 2501 Search Continues....The Flight 2501 Search Continues....The Flight 2501 Search Continues....Page 1

Ralph Wilbanks on the NUMA search vessel “Diversity”

The Saturday night of May 6, 2006 MSRA presented our 8th annual installment of “Mysteries &Histories -Evening Beneath the Inland Seas” at the Knickerbocker Theatre in Holland, Michigan.With nearly 400 people in attendance, it was our most successful program yet.

The weather was absolutely beautiful, and the theater was almost at full capacity as the showbegan. The MSRA unveiled it’s new intro, entitled, “A Piece of a Ship”, which was recentlycreated by Jack and Valerie van Heest. With the mood being set, “Icebound Found!” wasshown publicly for the first time in Michigan. The spectacular underwater footage reallybrought the ship to life. The S.S.Michigan is the closest known wreck to the Knickerbocker.

Up next was Dave Trotter, who year after year, continues to amaze us with his discoveriesand presentations, and this year was no exception. We were treated to underwater footageof a rare biplane, and the long lost steamer, A. Everett.

After the intermission, a heartfelt tribute was paid to Flight 2501 victims Jean Kaufmann, andKenneth Skoug I, by their children and grandchildren. It was an emotional time viewing pictures

of the deceased on the large movie screen, as their children, now approaching retirement age, spoke of the livesof their parents, sharing with us the passions and accomplishments of their long lost loved ones. They expressedappreciation to all of you for allowing them to reminise.

The Ann Arbor No. 5 was next on the agenda. MSRA was proud to present“Planes, Trains, and Ships”, which gave an in depth view of the history, loss,and eventual discovery of the AA5, one of only four known carferrys whichstill lie on the lake bottom. MSRA wishes to thank the Bultema family forhelping us complete the story of that once grand ship.

Rounding out the evening was crowd favorite, and world renowned explorer,Ralph Wilbanks. The man who discovered the Confederate submarine Hunleyregaled the audience with the story of John Paul Jones’ ship, the BonnehommeRichard. Ralph is an excellent presenter, and adds humor and excitement toeverything he does.

Continuing our search activities, and historical documentary production, totallydepends funding from membership, this show, and documentary sales. MSRAwould like to thank everyone who has supported us in the past, present, andfuture. Without you, we can’t do what we do.

Submitted by Ross Richardson

Another Successful Event!!Another Successful Event!!Another Successful Event!!Another Successful Event!!Another Successful Event!!

Mid June marks the arrival of David Trotter for MSRA’s8th annual “Shipwreck Quest”. Hopes for a discoveryare particularly high this year. Over the past seven searchseasons we have covered nearly 150 square miles andwith the inclusion of the coverage made by MSRA andthe NUMA team in search of Flight 2501 that brings thetotal to almost 200 square miles! We are closing in on allthose unsuspecting vessels that have been trying to keepthemselves hidden.

Plans for this year include side scan of a target far offshore, identified by a Michigan State employee with asimple bottom. He thought the lump was unusual andasked MSRA to check it out. Hopes are high that thistarget represents a shipwreck... but, which one remainsa question. Of course in the shipwreck hunting game wealways have to prepare for the unexpected, and anunderwater hill or clay mound is not above suspicion.

Then we move on to covering some overlooked territoryoff Saugatuck. When shipwreck hunting, it is critical to

keep an accurate record of bottomcoverage so that once scanned, there isno need to ever return again. We do thatthrough a process called “mowing thelawn”. Between coverage made in 2001when we discovered the Akeley and the2003 search, a small strip about 1/8 milewide by three miles long was overlookeddue to an equipment malfunction. Thanksto accurate record keeping, we have been

able to realize the oversight and will plan to cover themissed area this year. In all likelihood, there will benothing there, but MSRA likes to be thorough. We allrecall though how Bob Ballard found the Titanic justone mile from the outer boundary of the area coveredby the French just one year earlier.

After that we will proceed down to South Haven tosearch for the 200’ Hennepin lost in 1929. Historicrecords indicate the approximate location of the sinking.Coincidently, much of the Flight 2501 search area hascovered the probable area for the Hennepin, but it stillremains illusive. We will carry forth and complete thecoverage of that high-probability area.

We are also working with MSRA member Jack Cote ona probable location for the 32’ SeaMar III, a Trojan brandvessel lost in 1980 with the lives of four local men. Cotewas the lawyer who successfully tried this case whichfound Trojan liable for the sinking. The discovery of thisvessel would be important because the bodies of thefour men have never been found, and are likely trappedin the boat. We would like to help bring them home totheir families for proper burial.

And of course- the ever mysterious Chicora. There is agood possibility that the Hennepin, Flight 2501, SeaMarIII and Chicora are all within a few miles of each other,so South Haven territory will be HOT! As usual, we willkeep members updated regularly during the 10-daysearch this June.

Shipwreck Quest 2006Shipwreck Quest 2006Shipwreck Quest 2006Shipwreck Quest 2006Shipwreck Quest 2006

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The“lump”far offshore

“Icebound Found”“Icebound Found”“Icebound Found”“Icebound Found”“Icebound Found”selected forselected forselected forselected forselected for

WaterfrontWaterfrontWaterfrontWaterfrontWaterfrontFilm FestivalFilm FestivalFilm FestivalFilm FestivalFilm Festival

At the encouragement of Todd White,MSRA Sustaining Member, technicaldiver, and owner of the Butler Restau-rant in Saugatuck, MSRA submitted oneof our most recently completed docu-mentaries to the prestigious WaterfrontFilm Festival in Saugatuck. The film wasselected for inclusion in the newly de-veloped category of Michigan Pro-duced films and will be the second filmshown Sunday morning at 9:00 AM theMichigan Film Lodge venue at the cor-ner of Mason and Butler.

Icebound Found chronicles the historyof, search for and discovery of thehistoric S.S. Michigan.

Please Come show your support forMSRA that morning. You can view theschedule at www.waterfrontfim.org

MSRA Board of Directors

Jan MillerValerie Olson Van HeestCraig RichRoss RichardsonJack VanHeestGeoffrey Reynolds

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.

Flight 2501 - In MemoryFlight 2501 - In MemoryFlight 2501 - In MemoryFlight 2501 - In MemoryFlight 2501 - In MemoryDr. L. AndersonDr. & Mrs. Leon M. AjemianM.L. BartonDr. Archibold E. CardleMrs. Whitney H. EastmanMiss Miriam FrankelMr. & Mrs. William FrengBarbara FengBonnie Ann Feldman (Crew)Mrs. William R. FrostAlfred W. GeorgeRichard GoldsbuyMrs. Rosalie GorskiMrs. William HeenanBenjamin & Slava HeustonThomas HillMiss Hildegarde HovanMr. & Mrs. John HokansonTommy Hokanson (5)Janice Hokanson (7)Mrs. Nora HughesMr. & Mrs. A.R. JacksonMiss Ruth JohnsonMrs. Jean KaufmannMiss Mary KeatingW. C. Kelty

1134 Goodwood CourtHolland, Michigan 49424

www.michiganshipwrecks.org

Associates

Brendon BaillodHistorian/Writer

Arthur AllenOceanographer, U.S. Coast Guard

Dr. Guy MeadowsUniversity of Michigan

Kenneth PottMaritime Archaeologist

Dr. David SchwabOceanographer, GLERL

loss. He was accompanied by his son, KenSkoug III from the Detroit area. The elder Skougwas returning home to Minnesota from New YorkCity where he was an executive at RemingtonRand Corporation. His second wife and his sonhad driven to St. Paul from New Yorkearlier. They waited at the airport until nearlymidnight but returned home after being givenno information by Northwest Airlines about thestatus of the flight. The following morning aclergyman brought the news that the flight wasmissing and “presumed lost.”

Michigan Shipwreck Research Associates waspleased to be able to bring some small amountof closure to these individuals who, 56 yearslater, still wrestle with questions about thecrash. The ultimate goal is to discover the finalresting place of Northwest Airlines Flight 2501and, just maybe, help to solve the mystery ofits loss. Submitted by Valerie van Heest

The June 23, 1950 crash of a DC-4 commercialairliner over Lake Michigan was a tragedy forWest Michigan but even more so for severalchildren who lost their parents and siblings inthe crash.

As the search for Northwest Airlines Flight 2501continued into 2006, members of MSRA beganto formulate a plan. The sons and daughters ofseveral victims of the airline disaster – all of themnow much older than their parents were at thetime of the loss – would be invited to attend aspecial memorial service.

On Sunday, May 7, 2006, MSRA held acommemorative service for the 58 victims of Flight2501 out on the lake near the site of the crash.Reverend Mark Mast from Trinity ReformedChurch in Holland conducted the service, joiningseveral family members, MSRA board members,and special guests. The service took placeaboard MSRA member Chuck and ShirleyCooper’s, 53 foot vessel, the Seven C’s. Thegroup traveled from Anchorage Marina in Hollandto the site of the crash some 20 miles off SouthHaven.

Pastor Mast conducted a nondenominationalservice honoring Jean Kaufmann, originally fromSeattle, WA, and Kenneth Skoug of Minneapolis,MN — both of whom perished in the crash alongwith 56 other individuals. The names of all 58victims of the crash were read followed by amoment of silence, and the tolling of a ship’sbell. Family members then tossed a memorialwreath into the lake, in honor of all the victims.

Jean Kaufmann’s children, 62 year old WilliamKaufmann and 58 year old Brandi Holsteintraveled to Holland memorial service fromCalifornia. Their mother Jean had taken a trip toEurope with family friends, and was returninghome on June 22, 1950. She missed her planeand was rescheduled on Northwest AirlinesFlight 2501 the following day. Six and two yearsold at the time, William and Brandi could notreally understand the reason their mother neverreturned home from that trip. Years later, thecrash still haunts them.

Crash victim Kenneth Skoug’s son, Ken SkougII, now 74, came all the way from Virginia for theprogram. He was 18 years old at the time of the

Flight 2501 Memorial CruiseFlight 2501 Memorial CruiseFlight 2501 Memorial CruiseFlight 2501 Memorial CruiseFlight 2501 Memorial Cruise Page 3

Pastor Mark Mast leads the service

Bill Kaufmann, Brandi Holstein, Ken Skoug II& Ken Skoug III

Mrs. Helen LarsenRobert C. Lind (Captain)Leo F. LongMiss Jo E. LongfieldMrs. W. D. MainMrs. Lillie MalbyDana Richard Malby (3)Miss Francis McNickleMiss Helen Mary MeyerK. NeilsenMr. Ralph OlsonW. ReidMiss Marie RorabaughMiss Ellen RossMrs. Oscar SchaferJohn Schafer (8)Mr. & Mrs. Carl D. SchlacherF. G. SchwartzJoseph SirbuKenneth Skoug IMiss Louise SpohnRichard W. ThomsonRev. Augustine WalshMrs. Eva WooleyLeo WohlerVerne F. Wolfe (Co-Pilot)