Yet another world class shipwreck

[ComputerJoe]

Well folks expect another world class shipwrecked schooner to be added to the Presque Isle group just north of Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary. Stan Stock stopped into the shop earlier this week and announced he was working with the Sanctuary staff documenting the Kyle Spangler, sunk in November of 1860 off of False Presque Isle. Last year he promised to release the location of his discovery when they are done and I firmly believe he will, so much so I haven't given into the urge to triangulate the location from shore.

Stan found her...maybe 5 years ago and presented his video at the last Ford Seahorses show before their hiatius. As I remember the Dog House was intact, all lower masts were upright, and blocks were lying all around her decks. Why anyone would destroy a site like this by taking home "trophy's" is beyond me, it was stunning, but that is what is worring everyone up here and it is why Stan wants everything documented before the numbers are released.

This will add to the other 5 awesome dives within a 1.5 mile circle lying in 165' to 205' of water. The Schooner Defiance is but 5 miles away, bringing to 7 shipwrecks (5 schooners, 2 steamers) in this cluster with at least a couple of more to be found.

If anyone needs a reason to learn to dive deep we have 7 execellent examples just 8 miles north of Alpena.

 

[dab]

I'm looking forward to the numbers being released and having the opportunity to enjoy this wreck. I am curious as to what more needs to be documented considering all the video that has been shot on this wreck. It seems that it has been pretty well covered from stem to stern, inside and out. Or is this more of a formality due to NOAA?

 

[ComputerJoe]

This is what Stan wants as NOAA did not know it's location until reciently. Stan has been doing a really good job at keeping this one under wraps until he is ready to release the numbers.

 

[dab]

It will be a great addition to an outstanding area to dive. In my opinion the collection of wrecks here rank among the finest in the Great Lakes.

 

[ComputerJoe]

Live video of Stan and NOAA on the Spangler
goto:

Immersion Presents - Live Video

 

[StanS]

The diving portion of the project with NOAA has been completed. It was great working and diving with the NOAA team. There were measurements taken on the wreck for the documentation and these will be used along with the videos shot to complete drawings and an artists rendering of the site as it appears today. There will also be a photo mosaic done of the complete wreck. This will be an exciting display at the sanctuary when completed. There was a live show done by NOAA on the wreck and it is now archived at OceansLive :: the Marine Science Portal Click on the deep dive. Hopefully divers will enjoy this wreck and also respect it to help preserve the wreck for the future.

 

[alpenadiver]

Thanks Stan for all your work, and giving us another awesome wreck to dive.

 

[ComputerJoe]

Great to hear that TBNMS overcome their challenges this summer to complete the project on schedule. I have talked to a couple of those who dove her and everyone was bubbling over with excitement about the project.

To have a painting done by Ken Marschall, like the Whitefish Point paintings, will surely wet everyones appetite to dive her and is a fair use of our tax dollars. If stuff starts coming up missing they will add to the collective rage of the diving community to view what once was there. And with the inclusion of Presque Isle into the Sanctuary borders it will let Federal Prosecutors go after thief's and souvenir hunters. Finally it is up to the diving community to report missing items and suspecious activities because we are the eye's and ear's needed to catch the wreck rapers!