Munising Shipwreck Weekend


July 11 - 13

Attention beginner divers, intermediate divers and nature lovers, Munising is the perfect vacation for you!  Pack your dive equipment, throw in some fishing gear, hiking shoes, bike and/or kayaking and head to the U.P.  Munising is located on the shores of Lake Superior.   Most wrecks are found within shallow to mid-range depths and all are part of the Alger Underwater Preserves.  There are several signature wrecks.    The Smith Moore, a 230-ft wooded steamer barge that sank in 1889.  She is one of the deeper sites, sitting in 100 ft. of water but her deck lies at 85 ft.  There is also the Selvick, a tugboat that was intentionally sunk in 1996.   Beginner diver will enjoy surveying the pilothouse and the external structure in 40-70ft of water. Intermediate divers can easily penetrate the pilothouse and the stern fantail area.  Other wrecks include the Herman Hettler.  In 1926, while seeking shelter in the harbor, she slamming into a reef and sank in 30-40ft of water.  The boiler sits in 25 ft of water along with part of hull and a field of debris.  Here you’ll find mechanical parts, tanks, piping and even a bathtub.   Amid these remains is a tree that has been laboratory dated to be over 7900 years old!  Why it’s there is a mystery.  

Itinerary:   Friday: Check into the hotel based on your schedule.  Transportation is not included in this trip, however we will help coordinate carpools.   If you arrive by 7 p.m., please join us for dinner at a local restaurant.   At 8:30 p.m., meet the group for a History of Munising Shipwrecks by our SASS group leader.  Learn about the shipwreck you will be diving.   Saturday:  Dive times 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on the new charter boat, Fireball.   After a morning of two dives, put on your hiking boots and explore the Picture Rock or one of the many waterfalls in the area.  Sunday:  Dive times 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.  Then it’s time to head home or extended your vacation.  We can help arrange extra hotel nights so that you can continue recreating on the pictures shores of Lake Superior. 

Cost:  Diver  $299

          Non-diver $ 119

A $50 non-refundable deposit is necessary to guarantee space on this trip. 

Final payment is due 30 days prior to departure. 

Package Includes: 

·         Two nights hotel accommodations, based on double occupancy

·         Two days of boat diving on Saturday & Sunday (2 dives/day)

·         The History of Munising Shipwreck talk on Friday night

·         Hotel taxes and service charges

·         SASS group leaders

·         SASS t-shirt

      
        Thousand Islands Ontario

Warm Water Diving

Head North Not South!

Where can you find historical shipwrecks bathed in mid-70`F water?   Yes, Florida, even the Caribbean, but I’m suggesting a place much closer, the St. Lawrence Seaway.   It’s a 9-hour drive to the historical and picturesque town of Brockville, Ontario.  Not only are the water temperatures mild but the shipwrecks are also numerous, that we’ve decided to dedicate an entire week of diving here.

St. Lawrence is one of the world’s great rivers.  It was a crucial artery for westward migration, commercial goods and troop movement during several wars.  Brockville sits at the entrance of what is called 1000 Islands.  The name alone describes the maze of navigational hazards that ships faced when traversing the area. 

Signatures wrecks include:

Keystorm:  This steel freighter was originally built in England in 1908.   She was carrying Bituminous coal from New York when she encountered dense fog, and crossed over Outer Scrow Island shoal.  She sank within minutes without any loss of life.
 

Lillie Parsons: Here’s a beach dive for you!  There is an anchor sitting on the shore of Sparrow Island.  Follow the chain into the water and you’ll run into the bow of a two-masted schooner.  The Lillie was built in 1868 and was carrying coal to Brockville.  A squall came up and caused the cargo to shift.  This resulted in the vessel being pinned to the island where it took on water and eventually capsized and sank.  

Robert Gaskin:  This vessel was destined to be a shipwreck.  The Gaskin is a three-masted wooden barque built in 1863.  Thirty some years later, it was converted into a salvage barge.  While on a job, salvaging the railroad ferry Armstrong, the Gaskin sank.  She was brought up but sank a second time.  Now, I would think the crew would re-think their strategy, but no, they continued and the Gaskin sank a third and final time.  She now rests in 55 ft – 70 ft. of water.  Dive Schedule:  For 6 days, you’ll dive freighters, steamers and 18^th-centurey barges.  Boat dives are planned for four days (2-3 dives/day) with beach diving on Sunday and Wednesday.  There are 11 recommended beach dives.   Boat dives are on the Seeway Vision, a 47-foot custom-built dive vessel that accommodates groups up to 22 divers.  We have reserved the entire boat to assure plenty of space for everyone.  This will also allow us to customize the dive schedule.  Lunch will be served on board during boat dive days.

Accommodations are at the Comfort Inn in Brockville.  They offer complimentary ‘Canadian Continental’ breakfast, which consists of hot and cold cereal, waffles, bagels, toast, etc.  An assortment of restaurants is within walking distance and if you haven’t had enough exercise, complimentary YMCA passes are also offered. 

Package Includes

6 Nights Accommodations based on double occupancy

4 Days of Boat Diving (2-3 dives/day)

Shore diving on Sunday & Wednesday (2-3 dives/day)

Lunches on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday

Canadian Continental Breakfast daily

Group Leader, Kyle Nevins

Cost:  $799

A $200 non-refundable deposit is necessary to guarantee space on this trip.  Final payment is due 30 days prior to departure.  A pre-trip meeting is scheduled for July 8^th, 6:30-8:00p.m.

Cayman Brac