The GTBUP will be publishing a newsletter in the months of October, January, April, and July. It will contain updates on the survey projects being conducted in the bay, new discoveries, as well as articles of local interest. Each issue will also contain a column featuring a different site in the Preserve. Anyone who signs up for the GTBUP mailing list at www.gtbup.org will automatically receive a copy. All issues will be available on the GTBUP Web site as well.
The GTBUP will host a fund raising event on Saturday, November 7, 2009 at the Waterfront Conference Center in Traverse City.
Steve Libert, who believes he may have found LaSalle’s "Le Griffon", will be the featured speaker. The Griffon sunk in 1679 and is believed to be the oldest European shipwreck in the Great Lakes. It is considered by many professionals to be an icon of Great Lakes maritime history, and to find a historic shipwreck of this significance can only be compared to the likeness of ships sailed by Christopher Columbus. Libert will show never before seen underwater video of the site and share the story of his long search for this very important and controversial shipwreck. This will be an exciting presentation and is sure to please divers and non-divers alike. For more on Libert’s Griffon project, visit his website.
Hans VanSumeren, from NMC’s Water Studies Institute, will present the results of their recent re-discovery and acoustic imaging of the wreck of the Lauren Castle. The tug sunk in 1980 in very deep water and presented many challenges to VanSumeren and his team.
Northwestern Michigan College’s NAS II (Nautical Archaeology Society) students will also present the results of their survey projects in the bay this past summer. These projects include surveying shipwrecks as well as dock and pier structures of historical significance in Grand Traverse Bay.
This will be a great evening filled with exciting presentations and all proceeds will help the GTBUP continue its survey work in the bay. A cash bar begins at 5:30 with dinner at 6:15.
Ticket prices are: Student-$35, Adult-$50, 2 Adults-$90, Table of 8-$300. Tickets are available at Scuba North, Great Lakes Scuba, or by calling 231-267-9244.
Le Griffon
The Wreck of the Albatross
From the GTBUP Dive Guide
Site 20
The wreck of the Albatross is located in the Elk River in Elk Rapids, MI. While technically not within the Preserve boundary, it is a fine example of the many tugs used in the area.
She was constructed in Buffalo, New York in 1880 by George H. Notter. The tug measured 62’ x 15’ 6" x 4’ 9" depth of hold. She was framed and planked in white oak and her deck was planked in white pine. The top of the pilot house and engine house were covered in galvanized iron. She had a half round iron fender all around the hull and was sheathed in iron at the water line for a distance of 32 feet aft of the stem. The power plant consisted of two independent, single cylinder marine steam engines, turning a 4’ 6" diameter propeller.
The Albatross was one of three tugs owned by the Elk Rapids Iron Company and was in service from 1880 through c1916. She was apparently the last of the tugs to operate, finally being retired about 1916. All of the vessels were in such poor condition at the end of their careers that only constant pumping kept them afloat. Even when they lay at their docs overnight, constant pumping was required. The Albatross quietly sank in the Elk River near the foot of the Iron Company dock and for many years the tops of her timbers could be seen protruding above water.
The Albatross can be seen by parking at the boat launch on US 31, just south of River St. in Elk Rapids, and going straight out 75 yards or so. Even though scuba is not necessary, this area has a lot of boat traffic so be sure to use a dive flag. A mask and snorkel are all you need so this site is especially family friendly.
History of the Albatross from "Antrim Steamers" by Walter C. Cowles
The Wreck of the Albatross
Introduction to Nautical Archaeology plus NAS I
Intro to Nautical Archaeology (Day 1)
As well as an introduction to the basic principles of archaeology, the Course will also introduce topics such as dating methods used in archaeology and how the current legislation applies to our underwater cultural heritage. By the end of the day participants will:
- Have been introduced to the basic principles and scope of nautical archaeology
- Be able to apply 2D survey methods to an archaeological site
- Have an understanding of their rights and responsibilities concerning underwater heritage
Practical sessions during the course will focus on the use of 2D survey techniques and how these can be used on archaeological sites. Participants will not only get to practices the techniques but will also have the chance to draw up their results, demonstrating the advantages and disadvantages of different survey methods.
NAS Part 1 (Day 2)
The NAS Part I Certificate builds on the knowledge and skills learned during the Introduction Course. The course aims to introduce archaeological projects from the planning phase through to carrying out a 3D survey and publishing the results.
The course combines both theory and practical sessions, where participants will plan and carry out their own small survey project building on the 2D survey skills learnt during the Introduction Course with practical 3D survey skills.
November 6-8 - Great Lakes Campus
Instructor: Dr. Mark Holley - Cost: $225
Nautical Archaeology Society Level I
June, 2010 Instructor: Dr. Mark Holley
Why does a giant boat float but a tiny rock sink?
Have you ever wondered why most boats don’t sink? Why does that little rock you’re skipping on on the water always end up at the bottom of the lake? Well it has to do with a little fun science concept called Archimedes Principle. Try this experiment!
- Split a piece of clay into two exact same sizes.
- Roll one into a ball and flatten the other into a boat-like shape.
- Now place them into a big bowl of water or the bathtub. What happens?
Every substance has density, including water. Density is the amount of mass for a given volume. If the density of a given object is greater than the density of the water around it, it sinks. It if is less, it floats. Huge steel boats can float because most of the space in the hull is taken up by air. It makes the boat much less dense than a rock and even less dense than water. Objects of lesser density float on liquids of greater density. When a boat gets a hole (like from crashing into a rock or reef) air floods out of the boat and it becomes more dense than the surrounding water. It sinks.
Want to know more? Check out the life and times of Archimedes.
We are actively soliciting any help from the local community in finding new shipwrecks or historically significant cultural sites. If you think you know of a site we’d be interested in, please contact the Preserve by sending us an email at info@gtbup.org. Shipwrecks are often found by reports of fisherman snagging wrecks, local folklore, and old news reports. We’d appreciate your help!
The GTBUP participated in several events and festivals this past summer. In addition to several speaking engagements, we had informational booths at: Northport Maritime Festival, Inland Seas Summer Festival, Bay Days, Friday Night Live, and Michigan Schooner Festival. We spoke to many hundreds of people this summer and made them aware of the GTBUP. The addition of "photo towers" in the booth were a big hit and drew many folks in to ask questions.
