December 2013 Wisconsin’s Underwater Heritage 1 Wisconsin’s Underwater Heritage

Vol.25 No. 4 A Publication of the Wisconsin Underwater Archeology Association December 2015

A Brief History of the Schooner Grape Shot

By: Jordan Ciesielczyk-Gibson

Image Courtesy of the Wisconsin Historical Society

continued on page 2 ping conducted at this field school. This previous summmer, In addition to educating divers in inclusion on the NRHP. Prior to the WUAA and GLSPS conducted a maritime archaeological techniques, survey, only the loss of the schoo- joint maritime archaeological field the ultimate goal of documenting ner Grape Shot was known, with school as faciliated by the Wisconsin Grape Shot was to evaluate the wreck little of her operational history. The Historical Society on the wreck of site for nomination to the National research undertaken by the Wisconsin the schooner Grape Shot. The field Register of Historic Places. Along with Historical Society has given this ship school was funded through a gener- the measurements and site descrip- life again and shows the Grape Shot as ous grant from the Wisconsin Coastal tions, research of the wreck’s history a typcial Great Lakes Schooner- Management Program. The above must be conducted in order to prove site plan is the final result from map- the vessels historic significance and 2 Wisconsin’s Underwater Heritage December 2015

A Brief History of the Schooner Grape Shot continued from page 1

-involved in intra-Lake commerce. Finally, before Grape Shot reached her Grape Shot was constructed in the final demise, she grounded two more References Cited fall of 1855 by noted shipbuilder times, first at Poverty Island, Wisconsin *Buffalo Daily Republic 1855 (as cited Benjamin Buehl “B.B” Jones at his and again she struck and held fast on a in National Register of Historic Places rock near Plum Island, not too distant Nomination Grape Shot Shipwreck, yard in Buffalo, New York. The Grape Washington Island, Door County, Wisconsin) Shot was 131 feet 6 inches in length, from her final location. Grape Shot had and 28 feet 7 inches in breadth with also been a victim of the times, during *Buffalo Daily Courier 1862 ( (as cited the panic of 1857 and the subsequent in National Register of Historic Places one dack, two masts, and 10 feet of Nomination Grape Shot Shipwreck, depth in the hold. Grape Shot was lull in shipping; Grape Shot’s owners Washington Island, Door County, Wisconsin) constructed alongside her sister ship defaulted on their loan. Grape Shot then changed owners and layed unused until *Buffalo Commercial Advertiser 1857 Yankee Blade, and had an eagle for her (as cited in National Register of Historic figurehead. Grape Shot’s wider beam the following season. Grape Shot’s final Places Nomination Grape Shot Shipwreck, Washington Island, Door County, Wisconsin) made her too large for the Welland voyage in 1867 ended with the Grape Canal. Grape Shot carried varied bulk Shot hard aground on the rocks north *Buffalo Commercial Advertiser 1867 cargos of corn, wheat, rye, seed, oats, of Plum Island, not far from where she (as cited in National Register of Historic Places Nomination Grape Shot Shipwreck, coal, lumber, shingles, railroad iron, grounded the previous year. The Grape Washington Island, Door County, Wisconsin) and gerneral mechandise. Grape Shot Shot was driven so far onto the rocks that her bow was lifted four feet into the *Buffalo Courier & Republic 1866 (as had a difficult career, in her first year cited in National Register of Historic she grounded in the Niagara River air. There was no loss of life and it was Places Nomination Grape Shot Shipwreck, Washington Island, Door County, Wisconsin) and had to be lightened in order to believed that Grape Shot could be recov- ered. Every salvage attempt failed and float her off. On a late season trip into *Detroit Free Press 1855 (as cited in National Milwaukee, Grape Shot was dismasted the vessel was then declaed a total loss. Register of Historic Places Nomination Grape Shot Shipwreck, Washington Island, Door in a gale, losing her main boom, rail- Everything that could be recovered from County, Wisconsin) ings, yawl boat and her anchors and Grape Shot was recovered. The Grape Shot was left to float helplessly until she wreck site lies in a dynamic area in the *Door County Advocate 1866 (as cited in National Register of Historic Places was picked up off Chicago. Later in northern bay of Plum Island with shift- Nomination Grape Shot Shipwreck, her service history, Grape Shot had her ing sands. There is potential for further Washington Island, Door County, Wisconsin) jibboom carried away after a collision sectons of the wreck to be uncovered in *National Register of Historic Places with an unknown vessel. Grape Shot the future and there is much more that Nomination Grape Shot Shipwreck, would pay this act forward, later col- can be learned from one of the earli- Washington Island, Door County, Wisconsin liding with the steamer Milan and car- est wrecks in Wisconsin. The National *wisconsinshipwrecks.org rying away that vessels jibboom. Register of Historic Places nomination Grape Shot will likely be reviewed at the May 20, http://wisconsinshipwrecks.org/Vessel/ 2016 of the State Historic Preservation Details/248?region=Index Review Board. The location of the meet- ing has yet to be announced. Grape Shot Author’s Collection 3 Wisconsin’s Underwater Heritage December 2015 A Letter from the President

Welcome to final issue of Wisconsin’s The field school was funded thanks Underwater Heritage for 2015. As we to a generous grant from the Finally, a big Thank You to the fol- reflect on the past year, there are Wisconsin Management Program. lowing Conference presenters who many accomplishments the Wisconsin delivered exceptional content to an Underwater Archeology Association WUAA hosted the 11th annual eager audience: Brendon Baillod, can be proud of. The year began Underwater Archaeology and who presented “Early Navigation with a productive annual meeting in Maritime History Conference at the of Green Bay;” Thomas Sutter, who Milwaukee that set forth the year’s Neville Public Museum on October presented his personal archive of agenda for the organization. This 10th. The conferance kicked off with historic maps and rare documents was followed by an Introduction to a business meeting and the election/ from the Fox-Wisconsin Waterway; Maritime Archaeology workshop reelection of officers. Having been Thomas Lutz, who presented “The in Green Bay on Saturday, April 18. reelected to my second term as your Unknown Great Fisher Family of Congratulations to the five students WUAA president I look forward to Wisconsin: Johann Lutz and his that attended and earned Nautical continuing my service with this orga- Five Sons; and to Tamara Thomsen, Archaeology credit. They included: nization and supporting the mission who presented on the Wisconsin John and Sam Schnibben, Zac Stencil, of WUAA in the years to come. Also, Historical Society’s Maritime Bob Jaek and Gretchen Dominowski. thank you Brendon Baillod, Russel Preservation Program’s busy 2015 Leitz, Rick Hake, Bob Lijewski and field season. During the summer there were Lee Hintz for their continued ser- several underwater archaeology vice. Also, I would like to formally As you can see, WUAA is doing projects that WUAA members par- recognize and welcome two new some great things and we have ticipated in. Namely, surveys of the WUAA board members, Gretchen many more ambitious plans in the shipwrecks Reliable and Hiram Bond Dominowski and Jordan Ciesielczyk- works for 2016. Check out our off Milwaukee. Theses projects wered Gibson. Gretchen has agreed to take website and Facebook page for directed by Kimm Stabelfeldt who on duties as Secretary and Jordan is updates, but most importantly, is a WUAA member and founder of now the newsletter editor. We can please stay involved. Great Lakes Shipwreck Archaeology. look forward to the new ideas and Board member Russel Letiz continued energy they will bring to this organi- Sincerely, to write up his findings from years zation. Formerly both positions were of underwater surveying in Bailey’s filled by Kira Kaufmann, who did an Kevin Cullen Harbor (Door Co.). The field season exceptional job and we thank her for wrapped up in late August with a the work she put into this newsletter ten-day field school to survey the among many other secretary duties. Kevin Cullen & Thomas Lutz 2015 WUAA Conference shipwreck Grape Shot off Plum Island (Door Co.). This project was coordi- nated by the Wisconsin Historical Society’s Maritime Preservation and Archaeology Program in conjunction with the WUAA. Eight students (Bob Lijewski, Zac Stencil, Jack Decker, Tim Pranke, Jordan Ciesielczyk-Gibson, John and Sam Schibben, Gretchen Dominowski, and four instructors (Tamara Thomsen, Caitlin Zant, Kevin Cullen, and Russel Letiz), participated in the survey with the intention of creating a site plan and evaluation for listing on the National Register of Historic Places. 4 Wisconsin’s Underwater Heritage December 2015

freighters started their voyage.When By: Jordan Ciesielczyk Gibson In the Wake of Tragedy the El Faro departed Jacksonville, Florida the National Hurricane Center had categorized Joaquin as a tropical storm, 400 miles east of the Bahamas moving slowly west at 4 miles per hour with max sus- tained gusts of 40 miles per hour. The National Hurricane Center indicated that Joaquin would grow into a hurricane. In terms of feroc- ity, each of the storms that both vessels encountered were similar. The storm of 1975 at its worst, was blowing at 66 miles per hour with gusts of 80 miles per hour pro- ducing swells 25-35 feet. When El This year many paid rememberance S.S. Edmund Fitzgerald Faro encounterd to the date November 10, 1975 as winds were blowing at 92 miles per similar circumstances, many histori- this year marks 40 years since that hour and swells were between 20-40 cal allusions may be made between date that the S.S. Edmund Fitsgerald feet. The final report recieved from the the two vessels. The major differ- sank with all hands in Lake Superior. Edmund Fitzgerald prior to sinking was ence in the 40 years that seperates Nine months prior to the sinking of that the Fitzgerald was taking on water the two wrecks aside from bodies the Edmund Fitzgerald, Hull #670 was and developing a list, and had lost two of water and safety standards, is the launched from Sun Shipbuilding & vent covers and a section of railing. amount of technology available that Drydock Company located in Chester, Her pumps were working throughout. provides data to each captain in order Pennsylvania. Hull #670 operated The final report recieved prior to the to make an informed decision. When under many names, , sinking of the El Faro was that the El the Fitzgerald departed Superior, Northern Lights, and finally El Faro. Faro was taking on water and develop- Wisconsin the National Weather Like the Edmund Fitzgerald, the El ing a list with water entering through Service had predicted that the storm Faro quietly performed its duties until a hatch cover that came open, although would pass south of Lake Superior by October 1, 2015 when she was lost the report indicated the flooding had 7a.m. November 10, since the weather with all hands in Hurricane Joaquin. been contained. It was also reported was typical, the Fitzgerald and other Due to both vessels being lost under that the El Faro had lost propulsion

Wisconsin’s web site: President: www.wuaa.org Kevin Cullen Directors: Underwater Heritage Green Bay Richard Boyd is published quarterly by the Wisconsin newsletter email: Delafield Underwater Archeology Association, a non- Ciesielc.Jord@alumni. Vice-President: Rick Hake profit association of individuals and organiza- uwlax.edu Brendon Baillod Milwaukee tions interested in studying and preserving the Marshall underwater cultural resources and historical Bob Lijewski sites of Wisconsin. Muskego Mail correspondence Treasurer: In addition to publishing this newsletter, the Lee Hintz Russel Leitz to: Waupaca Association also holds an annual meeting and WUAA Oak Creek provides support to members’ research and PO Box 510173 publication projects. Annual membership dues Milwaukee, WI Secretary Newsletter Editor: are $20. For membership information write to 53203 Jordan Ciesielczyk the postal address or go to the web site. Gretchen Dominowski Neenah Morrisonville 5 Wisconsin’s Underwater Hertiage December 2015

S.S. El Faro - TOTE Maritime In the Wake of Tragedycontinued from page 4 References Cited leaving the El Faro powerless to the wind The survey of the El Faro revealed that the and waves. In the case of both vessels entire navigational bridge and the deck *Almasy, Steve & Khorram, Yasmin the final coup de grâce was very fast. underneath became detached and seperated El Faro Had Leaks, Holes, Other Structural Issues Former Crew Members from the rest of the vessel. The El Faro sur- The Fitzgerald was lost minutes after the Say www..com/2015/10/08/us/el-faro- final radio transmission to the Arthur vey concluded on November 16, 2015 with- missing-ship/ M. Anderson at 7:10p.m. November 10, out ever finding nor recovering the VDR. 1975. The El Faro was equipped with Another connection both the El Faro and *gCaptain multiple distress beacons; ship security the Edmund Fitzgerald share is the way that U.S. Shipbuilders Slam Claims Linking Jones Act to El Faro Tragedy blame has been assigned, although in the alert system, Inmarsat C distress alert, http://gcaptain.com/u-s-shipbuilders- and an emergency positioning radio case of the El Faro the blame was assigned slam-claims-linking-jones-act-to-el-faro- (EPIRB). Every security system sounded much faster than the Fitzgerald due to the tragedy-as-incorrect-and-shameful/#. at precisely the same time, indicating internet. Both vessels have had the process VmuXLYRvbwx that each system came into contact with of blame being assigned in the same way LaGrone, Sam seawater at the same time approximately for the same reasons. First, the shipbuilders U.S. Navy Deploying Search Team to Find 7:20a.m. October 1, 2015. All systems were blamed for building an inferior vessel. Lost Merchant Ship El Faro that were as of yet, unavailable in 1975. Second, the captains of both vessels were http://news.usni.org/2015/10/15/u-s- navy-deploying-search-team-to-find-lost- blamed for making the decision to continue The wreckage of the Edmund Fitzgerald merchant-ship-el-faro was located November 14, 1975 with on their respective voyages in the face of the Fitzgerald lying in two pieces in 530 such weather. In both cases, there were *National Transportation Safety Board feet of water. The survey that located interviews with previous crew members Sinking of the Frieght Vessel El Faro the wreckage was an airborne navy air- who would suggest that the vessels were www.ntsb.gov/investigations/Pages/2015_ elfaro_jax.aspx craft carrying equipment for detecting unseaworthy, yet allowed to continue to magnetic anamolies such as submarines. sail. Lastly, the shipping companies were *shipbuildinghistory.com The wreckage of the El Faro was located blamed for allowing the vessels to carry on Sun Shipbuilding October 31, 2015 lying upright and most- after warnings about inclement weather. http://www.shipbuildinghistory.com/his- ly intact in 15,000 feet of water. This was Only one U.S. maritime disaster seperates tory/shipyards/2large/inactive/sun.htm accomplished via a sidescan sonar sur- the Edmund Fitzgerald and the El Faro and *Schuler, Mike that is the loss of the Marine Electric off the vey conducted by a navy tug. Another NTSB Abandons Search for El piece of equiment that the El Faro had coast of Virgina in February 1983. We will Faro’s Missing Voyage Data Recorder that the Fitzgerald did not was a Voyage most likely never know conclusively what https://gcaptain.com/ntsb-abandons- Data Recorder (VDR) which works in sunk both the Edmund Fitzgerald and the search-for-el-faros-missing-voyage-data- recorder/#.VmuanoRvbwx much the same fashion as a black box on El Faro. What has been developed and will develop are logical theories of what sunk an airplane. Once the ship that the VDR *Staletovich, Jenny is attached to sinks, it is made to break both vessels aside from being due to sail- Finding El Faro: Analyzing Wreck off and float to the surface and if the ing into inclement weather. The National 15,000 Feet Down Poses Challenges VDR does not break off, it will transmit Tranportation Safety Board will be issueing www.miamiherald.com/news/weather/ hurricane/article43595-14.html an accoustic ping that could be picked their report concerning the loss of the El up by searchers. In addition to docu- Faro sometime in the coming year. *Stonehouse, Frederick menting the vessel the National Safety The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald Transportation Board’s primary goal was to find and recover the VDR. Wisconsin Underwater Archeological Association P.O. Box 510173 Milwaukee, WI 53203

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

Happy Holidays!

Coming Events

Feb. 26-28, 2016 Our World Underwater in Rosemont, IL. For information check their web site at www.ourworldunderwater.com. Mar. 12, 2016 Upper Midwest Scuba Adventure and Travel Show Minneapolis, MN. Sponsored by the Great Lakes Shipwreck Preservation Society For information check their web site at www,umatshow.org Mar. 18-19, 2016 Ghost Ships Festival Milwaukee, WI. Sponsored by the Great Lakes Shipwreck Research Foundation. For information check their web site at www.ghost-ships.org