Stolen Bell of the Gov. Smith!!!

[scubapooh]

Fellow Great Lake Divers,

I usually don't post but this is important.

Some "low life" diver(s) have stolen the bell off the wreck, Governor Smith located 8 miles north of Grinstone City. The wooden freighter lies in 175 feet of water. This is a tech dive, so some "low life" tech diver(s) felt it belonged to them and not for every tech diver to view.

If anyone has information on what "dirt bag diver" had stolen the bell please let us know. These wrecks are protected and the items are for everyone to view. This is the second bell that has been stolen from the Thumb preserve.

As a tech diver and charter boat captain this is disturbing. As soon as I have a picture of the bell I will post it.

The wrecks of the Great Lakes are for everyone to view. Only "low life" tech divers would disturb what belongs on them. I thought grave robbing was out of season.

For those who have taken this artefact, you are not tech divers, you are ****.

Gary Venet, Capt.
Rec & Tec Dive Charters

 

[Riverrat Dave]

I'm really sorry to hear about this Gary.
I hope we can track these people down, somebody will start bragging guys like that always do.

Dave Z.

 

[Divers Incorporated]

That is a shame... I was really sorry to hear about the bell on the Detroit.. now this... and I missed seeing it last time I was there.

Hope it comes back soon

Rih

 

[Gr8laker]

This is crap, the bell should be in it's final resting place, on the wreck. Now the bell will end up in a box in basement or garage because some idiot thinks it would be cool to own it. Most Great Lake divers respect the fact that these wrecks are historical sites. If you know who has the bell from the Governor Smith, or the Detroit, ask them to give it up. I know plenty of divers that would be happy to put it back.

 

[StanS]

Lets make sure the DNR is involved for a proper investigation. The news media should also be contacted so we can catch the person or persons involved and return the bell to the wreck.

 

[calvillo]

Hi Gary. As you likely know, you may want to contact Tom Graf at the MDEQ. He is in charge of the MDEQ underwater laws (whether in or out of a preserve). 517-335-3471. It is hard to get the MDEQ or MDNR to get too active because they plead poverty (as does everyone else in state government). Another contact that you likely know about is Wayne Lusardi, the state MDHAL underwater archeologist at Alpena. 989-356-8805. Just one word of caution: Some of these people are no friends of recreational diving either. There is one state official who is also a diver who takes an active interest in diving issues, though an indirect one. That is the MDEQ legislative liason, Carol Linteau. 517-241-7396. She has recently been appointed as the MDEQ rep on the underwater salvage committee. She is very interested in supporting responsible, ethical recreational Michigan diving.

 

[hollywood703]

Hopefully the person will be turned in by someone on the dive. You will be happy to know that if they are caught, there is a VERY heft fine. For disturbing a historical marker, im sure that will only add to the fine....I would bet it to be in the 10's of thousands of dollar area if i had to guess

 

[wrkdiver]

Hope you find the Bell. People who steal from others are "dirt bag divers"

 

[calvillo]

The record of the government for stiff penalties on these thefts is not real strong. The guy who stole a beam and other parts off the Barnum in the Straits a few years ago got a couple thousand dollar fine and the beam wound up rotting at the DNR offices at Gaylord. The same guy had deadeyes from the Sandusky he was ordered to return to the prosecutor's office at Cheboygan. He did - busted up with a sledge hammer. Nothing was done about that even though it was intentionally malicious. The prosecutor just did not see it as "real" crime deserving her time. Hopefully this will turn out better. As someone noted already, big thieves have big egos and this one (or more) will get a punishment that fits the crime.

 

[GLDiver]

Sorry to hear about the bell on the Gov Smith. I have attached a photo of the bell I captured from my video, hope this helps and you find the low lifes that stole it.
Rick