Surveys
Presently, of the over 1,400 wrecks estimated to be in Lake Erie, only three have been surveyed and registered as an official archaeological site with the State of Ohio. Each year MAST members work to secure funding for an underwater archaeology survey for the upcoming dive season. During training workshops, members are taught surveying techniques. Mock surveys are held in order to practice using the trilateration method for measuring and mapping. Plotting skills are put to the test, as well as communication skills underwater (where divhttp://www.dnr.state.oh.us/ their dive buddies.)
Actual underwater surveys are involved projects that require commitment from many members throughout the process. A shipwreck is selected, and research and photographs are gathered. Preliminary project tasks are determined and assigned to trained members for presurvey and underwater survey work. Volunteerssidescan survey the vessel, and take underwater photographs. Members then begin to determine line item tasks needed to set buoys, baselines, and divide the site sections for surveying.
Surveying is completed in multiple steps as dive teams measure and sketch site details. During the survey, the fields notes are gathered and plotted on a master site plan. Several dives are made until all the site details are documented.Survey results become part of the technical report which also includes the geology of the area (underwater) such as the foundation underneath the wreckage, examination of the bottom sediments, bathymetry, or in researching the history of the area in which the shipwreck took place. These reports contribute to the vessel being registered as an official archaeological site. Photographs of the vessel before and after sinking are also included, as well as sidescan survey images.
In addition to technical reports, underwater slates are created from survey results detailing the site. The waterproof slates can be used underwater for identification during dives.
The shipwrecks listed below have been or are currently being surveyed by MAST. They are listed in the order surveyed. For additional information about some of the vessels, see below the status table.
NMGL/GLHS - MAST SURVEY PROJECTS AND REPORTS STATUS
Photo courtesy of Great Lakes Historical Society
The Adventure
Construction: Propeller
Cargo: Lime
Built: 1875 at Detroit, Michigan
Dimensions: 108' x 24' x 8'3" - 148.97 gross tons / 141.53 net tons
Power: Steam
Official Number: 105567
Date Sank: 10/7/1903
Depth: 10'
Direction: Bow east
Cause/Location: Fire off the north bay of Kelleys Island
This site was part of an underwater archaeological survey by the Maritime Archaeology Survey Team (MAST) in 1997. MAST assisted in the technical report published by Patrick Labadie and Charles Herdendorf, and a http://www.dnr.state.oh.us/late. For more information about the survey results, contact MAST at info@ohio.mast.org.
Underwater Slate of the WR Hanna
The WR Hanna
Construction: Scow
Cargo: Stone
Built: 1857 at Sandusky, Ohio
Dimensions: 84'7" x 21'6" x 5' - 86.16 gross tons / 81.86 net tons
Power: Sail
Official Number: 26669
Date Sank: 10/14/1886
Depth: 8'
Direction: Bow southwest
Cause/Location: Sank in storm off the north bay of Kelleys Island
This site was part of an underwater archaeological survey by the Maritime Archaeology Survey Team (MAST) in 1999. MAST assisted in the technical report published by Patrick Labadie and Charles Herdendorf, and also created an underwater slate.
The FH Prince
Construction: Propeller
Cargo:SandBuilt: 1890 at Detroit, Michigan
Dimensions: 240' x 42' x 23'4" - 2047 gross tons / 1547 net tons
Power: Compound Engine (fore and aft)
Official Number: 120797
Date Sank: 8/8/1911
Depth:18' Direction: Bow west
Cause/Location: Fire 1/2 mile east of Kelley's Island
Sidescan Survey courtesy of Greg Millinger
This site was part of an underwater archaeological survey by the Maritime Archaeology Survey Team (MAST) in 2001. MAST sidescan surveyed the site, was instrumental in the return of the propeller to the wreck, assisted in the technical report published by Linda Pansing and Charles Herdendorf, and also created an underwater slate.
The Craftsman
Construction: Steel Barge
Cargo: Steam Powered Derrick
Built: 1921 AmShip, Cleveland, OH
Dimensions: 90'.1" x 28'.1" x 8'.3" (rebuild) - 165 gross tons
Power: Towed
Official Number: US221068
Date Sank: 6/3/1958
Depth: 45'
Direction: Bow-W, crane E of barge
Cause/Location: Foundered 1 mi N Avon Lake, Ohio
Photo courtesy of Great Lakes Historical Society
This site was part of an underwater archaeological survey by the Maritime Archaeology Survey Team (MAST) in 2004. MAST has sidescan surveyed, videotaped, and plotted the site. A technical report will be published in the near future and an underwater slate will be created.
