I dove the Lucy and Nordmeer on Saturday with Mike http://www.michigan.org/travel/detail.asp?m=&p=G15795 who also runs a dive charter in a Sea Arc that resembles a military landing craft.
I was on board with a couple from Lansing, a father and son from Lansing and a young German.
First was the "Lucy"
NameLUCINDA VAN VALKENBURGOfficial Number14614Date Built1862 by Albert Little at Tonawanda, NYDate LostJune 1, 1887TypeWooden schoonerDimensions129 x 26 x 13Gross Tonnage302CargoCoalCircumstancesCollided with iron propeller LEHIGH in a thick fog. Bound for Chicago. Located 2 mi northeast of Thunder Bay Island.Depth70 ftConditionHull partially collapsed, centerboard standing. Coal cargo and anchor chain present. Part of decking nearby. Damaged by salvage effort.LocationGPS: 45.03.2428 / 83.10.5966-port
45.04.065/83.08.435-starboard Loran C: 30807.3 / 48672.9
SourcesHoagman 1999, NOAA 1999, Stonehouse 1992, Swayze 1999, Thunder Bay Divers 1999.
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Water temp was 54 degrees with 30+ foot visability.
Bouy anchor had been drug about 60 feet from the wreck we saw some debris that happen to be in the direction of the wreck.
61 feet for 40 minutes.
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Second dive was the Nordmeer and barge.
Water temp 67 degrees with 40+ visability. 45 feet for 50 minutes.
The wreck is really being beaten by the winter ice. Bow has broken off and is now submerged but is still an awesome sight to behold. Most of the rest of the wreck is nothing but twisted metal. Lots of fun swimming through the structures. The barge next to the wreck is still VERY entact and resembles something that was much more seaworthy than the mass of twisted metal laying next to it.
NameNORDMEEROfficial NumberGerman LR525650Date Built1954 at Flensburg, GermanyDate LostNovember 19, 1966TypeGerman steel propeller, package and bulk freightDimensions470.8 x 60.9 x 28.2Gross Tonnage8683Cargo990 coils of steel wireCircumstancesMiscalculated a turn and ran aground 7 miles northeast of Thunder Bay Island. Expected to be recovered, but a big storm a few days later wrecked her bottom. Her crew stayed aboard after the grounding, planning to assist with the recovery, but had to be rescued by Coast Guard helicopter during the storm (which also sank the DANIEL J. MORRELL).Depth30 ft bow / 50 ft sternConditionExcellent. Bow, center decks above water (but not much left due to ice damage). Salvage barge sank alongside. Most of cargo was salvaged. Wreck is fully penetrable.LocationGPS: 45.08.07 / 83.09.35
Lat/Lon: 45°08'20"/83°09'25"
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The run back to Rockport was challenging in that there were MANY fishing nets set and it was like crossing a minefield.
Saw the Middle Island light come on as we were passing. The Pride of Michigan was on the Sink Hole and was setting out experiments.
Awesome day and more to come tommorow.
Jeff
I was on board with a couple from Lansing, a father and son from Lansing and a young German.
First was the "Lucy"
NameLUCINDA VAN VALKENBURGOfficial Number14614Date Built1862 by Albert Little at Tonawanda, NYDate LostJune 1, 1887TypeWooden schoonerDimensions129 x 26 x 13Gross Tonnage302CargoCoalCircumstancesCollided with iron propeller LEHIGH in a thick fog. Bound for Chicago. Located 2 mi northeast of Thunder Bay Island.Depth70 ftConditionHull partially collapsed, centerboard standing. Coal cargo and anchor chain present. Part of decking nearby. Damaged by salvage effort.LocationGPS: 45.03.2428 / 83.10.5966-port
45.04.065/83.08.435-starboard Loran C: 30807.3 / 48672.9
SourcesHoagman 1999, NOAA 1999, Stonehouse 1992, Swayze 1999, Thunder Bay Divers 1999.
_______________________________________________
Water temp was 54 degrees with 30+ foot visability.
Bouy anchor had been drug about 60 feet from the wreck we saw some debris that happen to be in the direction of the wreck.
61 feet for 40 minutes.
_________________________________________________
Second dive was the Nordmeer and barge.
Water temp 67 degrees with 40+ visability. 45 feet for 50 minutes.
The wreck is really being beaten by the winter ice. Bow has broken off and is now submerged but is still an awesome sight to behold. Most of the rest of the wreck is nothing but twisted metal. Lots of fun swimming through the structures. The barge next to the wreck is still VERY entact and resembles something that was much more seaworthy than the mass of twisted metal laying next to it.
NameNORDMEEROfficial NumberGerman LR525650Date Built1954 at Flensburg, GermanyDate LostNovember 19, 1966TypeGerman steel propeller, package and bulk freightDimensions470.8 x 60.9 x 28.2Gross Tonnage8683Cargo990 coils of steel wireCircumstancesMiscalculated a turn and ran aground 7 miles northeast of Thunder Bay Island. Expected to be recovered, but a big storm a few days later wrecked her bottom. Her crew stayed aboard after the grounding, planning to assist with the recovery, but had to be rescued by Coast Guard helicopter during the storm (which also sank the DANIEL J. MORRELL).Depth30 ft bow / 50 ft sternConditionExcellent. Bow, center decks above water (but not much left due to ice damage). Salvage barge sank alongside. Most of cargo was salvaged. Wreck is fully penetrable.LocationGPS: 45.08.07 / 83.09.35
Lat/Lon: 45°08'20"/83°09'25"
________________________________________
The run back to Rockport was challenging in that there were MANY fishing nets set and it was like crossing a minefield.
Saw the Middle Island light come on as we were passing. The Pride of Michigan was on the Sink Hole and was setting out experiments.
Awesome day and more to come tommorow.
Jeff
