Thunder Bay Exploration 2002

Expedition Log
Day 1 August 28, 2002	Day 2 August 29, 2002	Day 3 August 30, 2002
Day 6 September 2, 2002	Day 7 September 3, 2002	Day 8 September 4, 2002

Day 1; Weds., Aug. 28, 2002 In keeping with Sanctuary goals, local divers were interviewed to obtain information regarding present conditions on local wreck sites. Useful information was gathered on several key wrecks within and around the Sanctuary.

Day 2; Thurs., Aug. 29, 2002 Using the research vessels CONNECTICUT and SHENEHON, the Project team studied geographical features of the Lake Huron bottomlands. They obtained valuable core samples of deep lake-bottom sediments and filmed unique "sinkholes" at several locations. The core samples obtained were ten metres (32 feet) in length, the longest and deepest known to exist from a Great Lakes site. Geologists anticipate that they will yield valuable new information regarding the natural history of the Lake Huron basin. Images and water samples obtained from the sinkholes will help to explain the function of the distinctive features in the ecology of the area. There is assumed to be substantial flow of groundwater from inland Alpena County sites through the sinkholes to Lake Huron.

Day 3; Fri., Aug. 30, 2002 The highlight of August 30 fieldwork was video documentation of the sunken schooner E.B. ALLEN several miles off Thunder Bay Island within the new Sanctuary. The 145-foot wooden sailing ship was found lying in 100 feet of water where she plunged to the bottom in an 1871 collision. It was found resting perfectly upright with its oak hull entirely intact except for a six-foot hole in the port (left) side where the ship was struck by the barkantine NEWSBOY. The ALLEN is among the best-preserved 19th Century sailing ships in the Great Lakes, making it a favorite with sports divers. Besides filming two hours of high-definition video of the E.B. ALLEN wreck, it is hoped to develop detailed drawings of the site for management and education purposes.

Day 6; Sept. 2, 2002 The day's work was somewhat hampered by heavy southeast winds and 6-foot waves, but the Project team successfully penetrated a large sinkhole about ten miles offshore and filmed details of its formation and biota (biology). At least two species of fish were observed there and 2-1/2 hours of filming completed. Day 7; Sept. 3, 2002 The research vessel CONNECTICUT deployed about ten miles off Thunder Bay Island to document two especially interesting shipwrecks. First examined was the 504-foot freighter ISAAC M. SCOTT, found lying upside down in 175 feet of water. The huge steel ship evidently shifted its cargo and capsized during the infamous storm of November 9-11, 1913 when some 250 Great Lakes sailors and twelve ships were lost within a 48-hour period. The SCOTT's stern was crushed against the lake bottom when she sunk with her entire crew of 28 men. The ship's cargo of 9,000 tons of coal is presumed still on board. The second site investigated during

Day 7; Sept. 3, 2002 was the tragic steamer PEWABIC, that was sunk in a nighttime collision on August 9,1865. The ship is best known for the 85 lives lost in its sinking. It's wooden cabins have entirely disappeared, but the oak hull shows clear evidence of its collision with the steamer METEOR and the destruction to its decks caused by subsequent salvage of the ship's rich copper cargo.

Day 8; Sept. 4, 2002 The afternoon hours of day 8 were dedicated to documentation of the wooden freighter MONTANA. This 236-foot ship was a former "package freighter" constructed in 1872 at Port Huron and lost in a 1914 fire. While the ship's hull is badly damaged, it proved to be an important source of information about 19th century shipbuilding. Most of its construction features survived the fire and may be easily observed in the wreckage. Most prominent are the ship's steam boiler and a four-cylinder steam engine that towers high above the wreck. The wreck lies in 70 feet of water southeast of Thunder Bay Island.