’s Underwater Heritage

Vol.12 No. 2 A publication of the Wisconsin Underwater Archeology Association June 2002

The Impacts of Zebra Mussels on Shipwrecks by John Karl the zebra mussel colonies. monitoring material. They are recov- Underwater These findings findings strongly ering one table from each wreck per suggest that the dissolved iron is year, for six years. Preservation in coming from the zebra mussel colo- So far they have pulled up tables nies, and thus from the iron fasten- for two years. They found that zebra Wisconsin ings to which they are attached, mussels settled on all of the plates, by Bob Korth, Watzin and Cohn argue. The research- but the largest number settled on the WUAA Director ers note, however, that these studies wrought iron and steel rods. The few- do not offer information on the rate of est mussels settled on the hot-rolled une 2nd 1969, a gentle swell corrosion. Ongoing studies will assess steel plates. on Lake rocks an 18 these rates. Most of the plates and rods on the Jfoot boat cruising a few miles Settlement Experiments. Cohn and tables showed general corrosion and off Two Rivers, Wisconsin. Two Watzin also conducted experiments to pitting of up to 1.0 mm deep. The divers line up land marks on the quantify rates of zebra mussel coloni- researchers noted that the length of distance shore and a Vexlar zation on materials typical of those their reporting period was insufficient recording sonar, tracks the bot- found on shipwrecks in the lake. The to allow an estimate of the rate of cor- tom looking for the remains of team set out six "tables" of mesh wire rosion. the 500 ton, 180 foot Schooner, , she sank in this at each wreck, to which blocks and The researchers also looked for area carrying Christmas trees in rods of various materials were evidence that zebra mussels are 1913. attached. The materials included hard enhancing reduction reactions, which wood (white oak), soft wood (white produce faster corrosion than oxida- The sonar traces a flat sand pine), wrought iron recovered from tion reactions. They found only slight bottom then a black bump stitch- Lake Champlain, hot-rolled steel and evidence of reduction reactions. es across the paper as a object polyvinyl chloride (PVC), a standard However, they suspect these reactions rises off the bottom … the tell tale sign of a wreck. A grappling continued on page 4 hook, goes over the side and in a short time the boat is anchored. The divers suit up and follow line to the three masted schooner below. Hand over hand down the line and shortly they are on the deck and in the few minute of bottom time they methodically go A diver inspects a ship- wreck part wrapped in about the business of remove tarp to deprive zebra pulleys and picking up a few mussels of nutrients. other artifacts in the galley. Time Photo courtesy of is short, they head back to the Canadian Conservation surface with the “ prizes”. A few Institute continued on page 8 2 Wisconsin’s Underwater Heritage June 2002

Wisconsin Underwater Archeology Association Spring Meeting

The spring meeting of the association field work for this coming season is research into the legends of the was held on Saturday, May 11, 2002, up in the air. Poverty Island treasure and the Rock at the Door County Maritime Museum Work is continuing on the Lake pyramids. in Sturgeon Bay. Maritime Trails. This includes applica- Cathy Green reported that a new The meeting followed a tour of the tions for buoying six historical ship- WUAA brochure is being completed. Palmer Johnson and Bay Shipbuilding wrecks, working on a poster of the The fall meeting will be held facilities in Sturgeon Bay. Fleetwing wreck to be posted on Saturday October 12, 2002 in President Russell Green called the shore close to the wreck site and Madison with either a tour of the meeting to order. The treasurer, Tom nomination of a twelve stone ships Historical Society archives or the con- Villand reported a balance of $3850. for historical preservation. servation laboratory. The workshop at Superior on Tom Villand needs help in November 10, 2001 earned $536. researching the dam on the Yahara Our thanks go to Mrs. Pat Labadie for River by Madison. preparing the meal. The final mapping of the Christina Russell Green reported that due to Nielson wreck could be completed by the State of Wisconsin budget situa- the association this summer. tion, most of the Historical Society’s Dick Boyd reported on his

Wisconsin’s provides support to mem- President Activities Coordinator Underwater bers’ research and publi- Russ Green Cathy Klecker cation projects. Annual Madison, 608-271-8172 Marshall, 608-655-3769 Heritage is pub- membership dues are $15. lished quarterly by the Vice-President Website Manager For membership informa- Wisconsin Underwater Hank Whipple Colin Zylka tion, contact the secretary Archeology Association, a Madison, 608-245-1222 Waukesha, 262-524-0145 or write to the address nonprofit association of Secretary Directors below. individuals and organiza- Russel Leitz Richard Boyd tions interested in study- Send correspondence to: Oshkosh, 920-231-9082 Delafield, 414-464-2092 ing and preserving the WUAA Treasurer Robert Korth underwater cultural PO Box 6081 Tom Villand Gresham, 715-787-4444 Madison, WI 53716 resources and historical Madison, 608-221-1996 Janet Defnet sites of Wisconsin. email: [email protected] Newsletter Editor Mukwonago, 414-363- In addition to publishing website: Danny Aerts 9874 www.mailbag.com/users/ this newsletter, the Middleton, 608-821-0048 Association also holds wuaa/ Jeff Gray semiannual meetings and Madison, 608-271-1382 June 2002 Wisconsin’s Underwater Heritage 3

New WUAA Shirts

Just in time for summer, new WUAA shirts are now available. Tastefully designed, with the multi-colored WUAA logo on the front breast pock- et area, the shirts come in a variety of styles and sizes. There are white short-sleeved t-shirts and navy long- sleeved t-shirts from medium to XXLarge. The short-sleeved shirts are only $8.00, while the long- sleeved shirts are a mere $12.00. Support WUAA, while enhancing your wardrobe. Look for them at the next WUAA event. For t-shirt orders or information call Cathy Green at 608-271-8172, Part of the steamship Mueller is on display at the Leathem & Smith Quarry. email her at [email protected] Photo by Tom Villand or send a check with your order to: Cathy Green WUAA T-Shirts P.O. Box 6081 Madison, WI 53716 WUAA member takes a break during the shipyard tour in Sturgeon Bay. Be sure to include your current Photo by Tom Villand address, so we can send them to you. Order early to ensure your size is available.

Jeff Gray Leaving WHS

Jeff Gray, the state underwater arche- ologist, will be leaving the Wisconsin Historical Society. In July, he will take over as director of NOAA's Thunder Bay Marine Sanctuary in Michigan. Jeff was a past president of the Wisconsin Underwater Archeology Association and we wish him well at his new position. 4 Wisconsin’s Underwater Heritage June 2002

Zebra Mussels on Shipwrecks continued from page 1

n the March issue of Underwater Georgian Bay and in Deadman Bay, worked on the project. "If you remove Heritage, we discussed some basic Lake Ontario (near Kingston). them from corroded metal surfaces, Ibiology of zebra mussels and their Physical removal methods. For the you do actually pull away the corro- invasion into the Great Lakes. Here physical tests, they used gloved sion on the surface, which can induce we’ll focus on issues of more direct hands, surgical scalpels, dive knives, accelerated active corrosion on that importance to divers and underwater garden tools like trowels and hoes, surface again," Binnie said. archeologists: Can zebra mussels be several types of high-pressure water The study found the same thing cleared from shipwrecks without jets and various kinds of combs to lift with wood: pulling zebra mussels off damaging the wreck itself or the the mussel shell and byssus (the wood surfaces, particularly if they are aquatic environment? Do zebra mus- group of threads that attaches a mus- highly deteriorated, can tear off large sels cause long-term harm to ship- sel to a surface) off the shipwreck. chunks of wood with the mussels. wrecks? What other consequences are Divers attempted to apply these In general, the study concluded there when the prolific mollusks com- tools to the byssi or shells only, not that physical removal of zebra mussels pletely encrust shipwrecks? It appears directly to the wreck surface. Despite causes too much damage to wrecks to that only three studies have these efforts, the studies showed that be used on a regular basis. "We defi- addressed these questions. We’ll most tools damaged the surface of the nitely are telling people, ‘don’t scrape briefly review each of them. wreck. Divers found it difficult or off zebra mussels,’" Binnie said. Canadian government studies impossible to avoid scraping the Chemical removal methods. The In 1995, Parks Canada and the wreck surface because it was often study also looked at the possibility of Ontario Ministry of Citizenship, obscured by the mussels and the using various chemical compounds to Culture and Recreation began a multi- attachment mat. kill mussels on shipwrecks. The proj- year study on the impacts of zebra All the trials using high-pressure ect team recognized from the outset mussels on submerged archeological water jets resulted in damage to wood that chemical control of zebra mus- resources and on the effects of vari- or corroded surfaces. Chunks of wood sels is impractical in open water situ- ous means of removing mussels from were blasted away even when the jet ations for many reasons. However, shipwrecks (Binnie, 2000). was aimed across the surface, not they write that, "it was considered Over a two-year field season, the directly at the surface. necessary to test the feasibility and project team conducted tests of chem- The tool that caused the least effects of certain methods at the ship- ical and physical removal methods. damage was the scalpel. Divers could wreck site on a small scale because They looked at a variety of tools and manipulate it most precisely, cutting information on many types of chemi- chemical compounds, and assessed the mussels’ byssal threads with min- cal removal strategies is widely avail- how they affected the wood and metal imal damage to the wreck surface. able to the public, and reasonable of shipwrecks in the Fathom Five However, this method was also arguments must be formulated in National Marine Park in Lake Huron’s among the most laborious. order to discourage their use." Other physical removal methods The removal trials assessed salt, often left the byssal threads attached bleach and "pool pucks" (tri- to the mussels – and pieces of metal chloro-s-triazinetrione), which gener- and wood from the wrecks attached ate chlorine as they dissolve in water. to the byssal threads. Thus, repeated The trials involved enclosing mus- removal of mussels could cause sig- sel-encrusted timber sections in large nificant damage to metal parts, plastic bags. Small quantities of according to Nancy Binnie, a conser- chemicals were then placed inside for vation scientist at the Canadian three weeks. Conservation Institute in Ottawa who These methods were highly effec- A diver inspects an experiment on using tive at killing zebra mussels and at chemicals to remove zebra mussels. making them easy to remove. The Photo courtesy of Canadian Conservation dead mussels could be removed by Institute light hand fanning over them without June 2002 Wisconsin’s Underwater Heritage 5 disturbing most surfaces or sediment. a long lead time if the water is However, the study concludes that cold and metabolic rates are they are not practical because of the slow. Also, wrapping an entire many "undetermined effects on con- wreck prohibits access to it struction materials, and difficulties in while the tarp is in place. preventing leakage of the chemical Finally, zebra mussels will into the surroundings and subsequent re-colonize the wreck the fol- non-target effects." The authors note lowing year. other problems as well: the com- In ongoing work, the project pounds may injure or kill other organ- is assessing the deterioration isms besides zebra mussels; they may rate of wood subject to zebra be difficult to contain in the desired A settlement table with wood and metal mussel colonization. substrates before deployment. location; it may be difficult to maintain Conclusions. The study con- Photo courtesy of Lake Champlain sufficient concentration to achieve cluded that zebra mussels should Maritime Museum desired mortality; it may be difficult to be removed from shipwrecks only ensure neutralization of the com- shipwrecks. As of this writing, results when absolutely necessary for archeo- pounds before removing the barriers; from the 1999 and 2000 field season logical study or diagnosis. In these and regulations and general safety are available (Watzin, 2001, 2002). cases, physical removal methods concerns may prohibit their use. would often be most practical, even Water sampling. A major part of "Chemicals do work, but you though they are slow and can some- the study focused on determining would never want to use them on an what damage the wreck surface, the whether zebra mussels increase the open site," Binnie emphasizes. "You authors wrote. Such methods should corrosion rate of metal fasteners on take out every species with them, not be used only when necessary, and wooden ships. To get at this question just zebra mussels." only on small scales to reveal highly Cohn, Watzin and their colleagues Binnie also notes that the chemi- diagnostic features that must be mea- sampled the water above the six cals may increase rates of degrada- sured or photographed. wrecks to measure levels of dissolved iron. The idea was to compare iron tion of the shipwreck materials, accel- These studies did not find evidence concentrations above mussel colonies erating corrosion and other processes. that zebra mussels actively degrade to points above the wrecks that were Nutrient Deprivation. The project metal surfaces on shipwrecks. free of mussels. Higher levels of dis- also assessed the effectiveness of However, studies by another group in solved iron above the colonies than wrapping entire wrecks or portions of Lake Champlain suggest otherwise. above the mussel-free portions of the wrecks in tarps or plastic bags to Lake Champlain studies wrecks would indicate that the mus- cover zebra mussel colonies for sev- Art Cohn has worried about the sels are causing the iron fasteners to eral months and deprive them of effects of zebra mussels on ship- corrode. In both kinds of locations, nutrients. wrecks since they invaded the Great water samples were taken at 0, 2, 4, These methods were found to be Lakes in 1988. Cohn directs the Lake 10 and 20 cm from the surface of the highly effective, killing all of the Champlain Maritime Museum in wreck to allow the researchers to mussels in the treatment area and not Vermont. He touts Lake Champlain, detect a gradient of iron concentra- harming even delicate parts of ship- which runs for 120 miles along the tions. wrecks. As with the chemical removal northern border of Vermont and New Analysis of the samples showed methods, dead mussels could be York, as "arguably the best preserved that water above the mussel colonies removed by light hand fanning. "The collection of historical wooden ships did in fact contain more dissolved byssal threads may remain securely in North ." iron than the water above the mus- attached to the surface, but this will In 1998, concerned about the sel-free portions of the wrecks. They not create a problem for most archeo- effects zebra mussels might have on also showed that the concentrations logical recording activities," the these historic resources, Cohn and of iron were highest close to the researchers wrote. Mary Watzin, a biologist and director wrecks and they decreased away from Despite the effectiveness of these of the Rebenstein Ecosystem Science the wrecks. Such diffusion would be methods, project reports note several Laboratory at the University of expected if the source of the iron is practical disadvantages. They are Vermont, launched a six-year study continued on page 6 labor intensive, and they may require of the effects of zebra mussels on 6 Wisconsin’s Underwater Heritage June 2002

Zebra Mussels on Shipwrecks continued from page 5 will increase in prominence over time. A third study looked at whether zebra number of mussels on the wreck and Conclusions. The study to date mussels concentrate toxic metals near scatters the wreck pieces. "strongly suggests that zebra mussels shipwrecks. Because each mussel fil- The study report concludes, are accelerating the corrosion of the ters up to a quart of water per day, "Without doubt, those responsible for iron fasteners and fittings on the sub- there has been some concern that their promoting marine parks and diving merged shipwrecks in Lake waste and pseudofeces may contain tourism must become fully cognizant Champlain and probably elsewhere as elevated levels of trace contaminants. of the role of zebra mussels in depos- well," the authors write. Three scientists from the depart- iting sediments which are contami- The implications of these findings ment of Earth Sciences at the nated with heavy metals." However, for the structural integrity of the University of Windsor sampled the the report does not discuss the degree wrecks are still not clear, the report sediments surrounding five mussel to which divers are exposed to those said. "Because of the patchiness of encrusted shipwrecks in western Lake metals under normal diving condi- the chemical environment and the Erie, when the ErieQuest Marine tions. large array of biological processes Heritage Area was being developed Note: A more detailed version of this and chemical reactions at work, addi- (La Valle, 1999). article will soon be available at www.sea- tional research is necessary to project The study found that all of the grant.wisc.edu/shipwrecks. an iron loss rate." shipwrecks were contaminated with References arsenic, cadmium, chromium, copper, However, the findings to date Binnie, Nancy E., Engelbert, Peter, lead, nickel, vanadium and zinc. At clearly suggest that zebra mussels are Murdock, Lorne D. and Moore, Jon. four of the wrecks concentrations of having more deleterious effects on Shipwrecks, Archaeology and Zebra lead, nickel, vanadium and zinc shipwrecks than merely obscuring Mussels: Is Mussel Attachment a Threat exceeded Canadian Council of their construction details from view. to Our Submerged Cultural Resources? Ministers of the Environment (CCME) "If wooden ships on the bottom of Proceedings of the 10th International standards on the concentrations of Lake Champlain are primarily iron fas- Aquatic Nuisance and Zebra Mussel toxic metals in soils and sediments. tened, and the fastenings contribute to Conference, Feb. 13-17, 2000, Toronto. Sediments at three wrecks also exhib- the vessels’ structural integrity, it fol- ited concentrations above CCME stan- La Valle, Placido D., Brooks, Andre w and lows that anything which might affect dards for cadmium or copper. Lakhan, V.C., "Zebra Mussel Wastes and that integrity could significantly affect Concentrations of Heavy Metals on At one wreck, which lies close to the projected life-span of these cultural Shipwrecks in Western Lake Erie." Journal shore in an area of strong currents resources" Cohn said. of Great Lakes Research, 25(2):330-338, and ice action, no metals exceeded 1991. Concentrating toxic metals CCME standards. The researchers sug- gest this is Watzin, Mary C., Cohn, Arthur B., and because the cur- Emerson, Brian P., Zebra Mussels, Ship- rents break wrecks and the Environment, May 2001. down and resus- Watzin, Mary C., Cohn, Arthur B. and pend the particu- Lescaze, Miranda M., Zebra Mussels, late matter con- Shipwrecks and the Environment: Final taining the metal Report, January 2002. Lake Champlain and because the Maritime Museum. ice action removes some particulate mat- ter, reduces the

Researchers inspect a settlement table retrieved after two years of submersion. Photo courtesy of Lake Champlain Maritime Museum June 2002 Wisconsin’s Underwater Heritage 7

Underwater Preservation continued from page 7 hours later at a marina in Manitowoc divers changed their ways. had some remarkable, hardworking they share their story and show their In 1988 Wisconsin got its first under water archeologists, David treasures to curious on lookers. Underwater Archeologist. David Cooper was replaced by Jefferson This was a common scenario Cooper. In 1991 Larry Swoboda spon- Gray, and now Jeff will be handing around the Great Lakes in the late sored a bill to create the state the reins to Russ and Cathy Green. 50’s and on into the early 80’s. It Submerged Cultural Resources All of them give high marks to seemed the reasonable thing to do. Council. Also in 1991, the Wisconsin WUAA members. They understand The new SCUBA equipment opened Underwater Archeology Association that citizen support carries on the up a whole world of possibilities. was formed at a meeting in Oshkosh. group memory and can assure the With the proper equipment one could All of these great achievements hap- program has continuity and contin- actually locate those ghost ships that pened because of the dedication and ues. had disappeared with little trace. For vision of citizen volunteers ready and We can not rest on our laurels, the those that were a bit daring, there willing to give of their time and tal- State budget took a incredible down was adventure to be had, and a trea- ents to preserve some things they turn over the past year and budgets sure to discover. believe in ... Wisconsin and Great are being cut to make up for the loss Now … if you were going to stick Lakes Marine Heritage. of state revenues. The language of the time and effort into finding a Little by little, bit by bit these politics is the language of dollars and shipwreck it made since that you folks, divers and non-divers made a strong lobbies. Those programs with would bring back proof that you were difference on a shoe string budget. little citizen support are the first to there. Dive business promoted wreck Giving Wisconsin one of the best feel the pinch. In most cultures the diving. Shipwrecks were exciting and Underwater Archeology programs in arts and history are the first to go. a great way to keep people diving the nation. Wisconsin’s Marine cul- Wisconsin is no exception. locally instead of just trips to salt ture is more than a historical curiosi- If we care about the legacy that we water. Some divers made and sold ty and a sailor on the state flag. At hand on to future generations, we furniture out of wreck parts, other least three Marine Museums in need to be advocates for the work of sold artifacts, and the business was Sturgeon Bay, Manitowoc and underwater archeology, speaking up booming. Superior have thousands of visitors and looking for support. If we don’t Something started to change. each year. Volunteers have helped … all these years of work could dis- Some time in the late 70’s a few div- inventory and survey many underwa- appear much like a great ship in a ers started to rethink the philosophy ter sites. Many wreck sites are now November squall. We need to gather of wreck diving. The great wrecks in marked by permanent mooring together the evidence that supports shallow water were starting to disap- buoys. A student reader and teachers the importance of this work, we need pear, item by item board by board, guide called Working With Water: to tell our story to any and all that artifacts and ship parts were rotting Wisconsin Waterways was developed. will listen, neighbors, politicians and away in back yards and crumbling in A series of Maritime trails is being the general public. basements. Divers started to recog- developed to interpret the submerged Shipwrecks and underwater sites nized that Great Lakes shipwrecks resources of various areas in the are the perfect vehicle for telling our were a priceless time capsule and her- state. Workshops have been held on stories. Unbelievable stories, of brav- itage of another era. In 1985 with subjects like wooden ship construc- ery, danger and mystery, stranger support from divers and historians tion and the development of the than fiction. When the people of this Ester Walling proposed a bill that steam engine. Lectures by distin- great state hear the stories, and feel would protect our marine heritage. In guished maritime historians have the excitement that unraveling the 1988 Congress passed the Abandoned been sponsored throughout the state. mysteries an ancient ship can bring Shipwreck Act. Times were changing, Low pay, long hours and limited they will appreciate it, support it and over the next decade a fundamental state support have not been condu- join our work. change in why we dive on shipwrecks cive to keeping people in the position came to pass. For the most part new of underwater archeologist. We have divers and more importantly veteran been fortunate in Wisconsin to have 8 Wisconsin’s Underwater Heritage June 2002

Zebra Mussels, Eurasian Water Milfoil Spread to More Lakes

From an Associated Press story in the Eurasian water milfoil, a native of ty, Little Cedar in Washington county, Wisconsin State Journal, May 28, 2002. Europe, Asia and northern Africa, is Ellen and Crystal lakes in Sheboygan Zebra mussels and another exotic a plant that grows into dense mats of county, Metonga in Forest county, pest, Eurasian water milfoil, have vegetation. DNR employees went to Cedar in Manitowoc county, Long in spread to more inland lakes in some public boat launches over the Fond du Lac county and Crooked in Wisconsin after hitching rides on weekend to tell boaters how to block Waukesha county. boats pulled out of previously infest- the spread of the exotic species. The 18 new lakes with Eurasian ed waters, a state official says. The message is to pump water water milfoil are: Forest, North Twin, “They can’t fly,” said Don Martin, from bilges, drain water from engines South Twin, Cranberry, Lynx and coordinator of the aquatic invasive and other containers and clean boat Upper Gresham lakes in Vilas county; species control program for the state hulls and trailers before leaving Lulu in Shawano county; Mohawksin Department of Natural Resources. launch ramps, Martin says. in Lincoln county; Kidney in Barron Martin said zebra mussels that were Under a new law, it is illegal to county; Big Elkhart in Sheboygan once limited to Great Lakes waters launch a boat in any of the state’s county; Bughs and Pine lakes in spread to 26 inland lakes last year navigable waters if an aquatic plant Waushara county; and Partridge Crop, and now are in 32 lakes. or zebra mussel is attached to it. Lime Kiln, George, Columbia, Taylor and Stratton lakes in Waupaca county. The Eurasian water milfoil plant Violators could pay $50 for a first was found in 18 more lakes, raising offense and $100 for a second. its total to 351. The eight additional lakes where Both species multiply rapidly, zebra mussels were found in 2001 choking out native species. are: Elizabeth lake in Kenosha coun-

X-Ray of Shipwreck Could Save Artifacts

From Mechanical Engineering, May 2002. noticed that powdery salts were rap- the dearth of oxygen there inhibited In 1628, the Swedish warship Vasa idly forming on her surfaces and that wood-metabolizing microbes. But the sank a mere 4,265 feet into her maid- the wood in her holds was growing environment favors bacteria that con- en voyage. Merchant vessels of the soft and acidic. In short, the ship was vert sulfate ions in seawater to day were stabilized by the weight of disintegrating. hydrogen sulfide. In the hundreds of cargo in their holds, but warships Collaborators in Sweden and at years the Vasa was submerged, carried their cargo – heavy guns – Stanford University in Stanford, hydrogen sulfide penetrated the deep- higher up. Although 122 tons of California have since analyzed the est layers of the wood. Under the sea, stone had been stowed low in the chemistry of wood decay in the Vasa, chemical reactions turn hydrogen sul- Vasa as ballast, it wasn’t enough to using a new technique – x-ray fide into elemental sulfur or pyrite, counter the weight of the ship’s upper absorption spectroscopy. It employs depending on the amount of available hull, three masts, 10 sails and 64 high-energy synchrotron beams, pro- iron ions. guns. The ship leaned too far and duced when electrons accelerate The researchers found that sulfur water poured through her open gun around rings, to make chemical fin- had accumulated within the beams ports. She remained at the bottom of gerprints that identify different oxida- and that half had already been oxi- Stockholm harbor for 333 years. tion states in a sample. The team’s dized. Based on their findings, they In 1961, the Vasa was raised in findings may help conservators recommend strict regulation of a good condition and, after extensive worldwide preserve wooden artifacts wooden marine artifact’s environ- treatment to stabilize and dry the tim- retrieved from the ocean. ment, including a relative humidity of bers, was put on display in 1990 at The problem is formation of corro- 55 percent and a temperature of less the Vasa Science Museum in sive sulfuric acid inside wood beams. than 68°F. Stockholm. In 2000, conservators The Vasa had sunk to 105 feet and June 2002 Wisconsin’s Underwater Heritage 9

Ship Sinking Plans Denis Sullivan Tours On Hold

Here’s a different kind of wreck dive; something new, or simply relax, Plans to sink the Straits of Mackinac an opportunity to see a traditional unwind and sail! to create a dive site in three masted schooner in action, in Activities while underway could have run into trouble. The Kewaunee fact, to be part of the action. include hands-on learning stations harbor area where the vessel is Embracing our Past – about Lake Michigan water quality moored has been sold and the boat must be moved. However it is not yet Educating for our Future (sampling & analysis), Lake ready for sinking, and a new Sail in Lake Michigan and beyond. Michigan biological systems (zoo- may not be available. Come out for the opportunity to feel plankton tow & examination), local the wind against your face, haul a ecology (weather data collection & Neptune’s Nimrods Dive Club in line like a traditional sailor, take a analysis) or marlinespike seamanship , who have been working turn at the wheel of an historic Great (knot tying, block & tackle systems). on the project for the past two years, Lakes schooner, learn about our Discussion periods could focus on are searching for a solution to the GREAT Lake Michigan, or just relax Wisconsin Maritime History & dilemma. A dive group in is and enjoy! Get a taste of the sailing Heritage, or the current State of the interested in the boat but no deci- lifestyle with our three hour sail, or Lakes. sions have been finalized. experience one of our Overnight Cost: $50. Adventures! Reservations are recommended. Three-hour public sails are offered Sails rain or shine (foul-weather at numerous times between May 1 gear available). Capacity is limited to and September 30. Sailing aboard the 50 passengers. Captain reserves the Denis Sullivan gives you and your right to cancel any sail for reasons of family or friends the opportunity to safety. share a unique experience. While aboard you will be able to participate Check the web site fir the sail in raising sail, take a turn at the schedule: http://www.lakeschooner. Meteor In Trouble helm, tack through the wind, learn org/ For more information contact: The whaleback Meteor, a museum ship in Superior, is reportedly in very Wisconsin Lake Schooner Education poor shape. A restoration plan is Association being developed to save this unique 500 N. Harbor Drive vessel. Look for details in the next Milwaukee, WI 53202 issue of Wisconsin’s Underwater 414-276-7700 Heritage. FAX 414-276-8838 schooner@ lakeschooner.org

The Denis Sullivan Wisconsin Lake Schooner Education Association 10 Wisconsin’s Underwater Heritage June 2002

Coming Events September 12-14, 2002 Association for Great Lakes Maritime History Annual Meeting, Michigan Maritime Museum, South Haven, MI. For information check their web site at www.aglms.org. October 12, 2002 Wisconsin Underwater Archeology Association Fall Meeting. Madison, WI. For infor- mation contact Russ Green at 608-271-8172 or [email protected].

Wisconsin Underwater Archeological Association P.O. Box 6081 Madison, WI 53716

For those interested in the study and preservation of Wisconsin’s underwater history and cultural resources.