Featuring the "real" Dirk Pitt , RMS Titanic and
"The Battle of Lake Erie"
"The Battle of Lake Erie"
Sawmill Creek Resort & Lodge, 400 Sawmill Creek Drive West, Huron, OH 44839
Shipwrecks of World War II & More
James A. Andrews - Marine Artist
Ken Marshall
Catri on Canvas
Time Past / Dave & Catherine LaGrange
Dave & Annette Soule
Dennis Hale
Evening Banquet Program
6:30pm - 9:30pm: $40.00
6:30pm - 9:30pm: $40.00
Ralph Wilbanks
Marine Archaeologist, Shipwreck Hunter.
Southern Gentleman
Marine Archaeologist, Shipwreck Hunter.
Southern Gentleman
Aftermath on the bottom -- The Normandy Invasion
Ralph Wilbanks is probably best known for discovering the Confederate Submarine H.L. Hunley. However, this extraordinary accomplishment pales when viewed against the fullness of this singular individual’s life. Ralph is the principle investigator and owner of Diversified Wilbank’s Inc., and has over 35 years of experience in underwater archaeology. He has worked all over the world in search of history’s lost maritime treasures and is an advisory board member of Clive Cussler’s NUMA (National Underwater and Marine Agency).
When he is not working on a NUMA assignment or traveling the world for many other organizations He can be found towing his boat RV Divercty as far as the Great Lakes on personal search projects. This past year he was involved in charting the lost ships and equipment off the WWII invasion coasts of Normandy. This extensive exploration discovered over 200 shipwrecks, many tanks, personnel carriers, and much more. Besides all that, Ralph is one heck of a story teller.
When he is not working on a NUMA assignment or traveling the world for many other organizations He can be found towing his boat RV Divercty as far as the Great Lakes on personal search projects. This past year he was involved in charting the lost ships and equipment off the WWII invasion coasts of Normandy. This extensive exploration discovered over 200 shipwrecks, many tanks, personnel carriers, and much more. Besides all that, Ralph is one heck of a story teller.
Daytime Programs:
9:30am - 4:30pm $35.00
9:30am - 4:30pm $35.00
Plus 2 more Great Shipwreck and Diving programs to be announced.
Presentation Schedule:
Welcome and administrative: 9:30 Am to 9:40 AM
Rudy Whitworth: 9:40 AM to 10:20 AM
Daytime Speaker: 10:20AM to 10:30 AM
Break: 10:30 AM to 11:00 AM
Walter Lewis: 11:00 AM to 11:45 AM
Lunch: 11:45 AM tp 1:30 PM
Welcome back and administrative: 1:30 PM to 1:35 PM
Durrell Martin/David Mekker: 1:35 PM to 2:05 PM
Daytime Speaker: 2:05 PM to 2:35 PM
Break: 2:35 PM to 3:00 PM
Joe Hoyt: 3:00 PM to 3:30 PM
Georgann & Mike Wachter: 3:30 PM to 4:00 PM
Run Over Contengency: 4:00 PM to 4:30 PM
Cocktails and Exhibitors: 4:30 PM to 6:30 PM
Welcome and administrative: 9:30 Am to 9:40 AM
Rudy Whitworth: 9:40 AM to 10:20 AM
Daytime Speaker: 10:20AM to 10:30 AM
Break: 10:30 AM to 11:00 AM
Walter Lewis: 11:00 AM to 11:45 AM
Lunch: 11:45 AM tp 1:30 PM
Welcome back and administrative: 1:30 PM to 1:35 PM
Durrell Martin/David Mekker: 1:35 PM to 2:05 PM
Daytime Speaker: 2:05 PM to 2:35 PM
Break: 2:35 PM to 3:00 PM
Joe Hoyt: 3:00 PM to 3:30 PM
Georgann & Mike Wachter: 3:30 PM to 4:00 PM
Run Over Contengency: 4:00 PM to 4:30 PM
Cocktails and Exhibitors: 4:30 PM to 6:30 PM
Dinner: 6:30 PM to 7:30 PM
Roll Warmup and Tribute: 7:15 PM to 7:30 PM
Master of Ceremonies: 7:30 PM to 7:45 PM
Joe Hoyt 7:45 PM to 8:15 PM
Break: 8:15 PM to 8:45 PM
Ralph Wilbanks 8:45 PM to 9:15 PM
Roll Warmup and Tribute: 7:15 PM to 7:30 PM
Master of Ceremonies: 7:30 PM to 7:45 PM
Joe Hoyt 7:45 PM to 8:15 PM
Break: 8:15 PM to 8:45 PM
Ralph Wilbanks 8:45 PM to 9:15 PM
Sponsor and Presenter Display area open from 10:00am to 6:30pm - Free
Survivors: The Great Storm of 1913
Walter Lewis Bio
Most of the commemorations of the Great Storm of 1913 are focused on the sailors who lost their lives and some of the largest ships ever lost on the Great Lakes. This presentation celebrates the survivors. Some of them ended up ashore, to be salvaged and put back to work. Others limped into port coated in ice or found a corner of the Lakes to lie up in. A number of the steamers survived this storm only to be lost on one or even two other occasions. There are shallow wrecks and deep wrecks, and even one in Italian waters.
Walter Lewis Bio
Most of the commemorations of the Great Storm of 1913 are focused on the sailors who lost their lives and some of the largest ships ever lost on the Great Lakes. This presentation celebrates the survivors. Some of them ended up ashore, to be salvaged and put back to work. Others limped into port coated in ice or found a corner of the Lakes to lie up in. A number of the steamers survived this storm only to be lost on one or even two other occasions. There are shallow wrecks and deep wrecks, and even one in Italian waters.
Operation Hailstorm - The Shipwrecks of Chuuk Lagoon
Georgann & Mike Wachter Bio
Chuuk Lagoon, known as Truk Lagoon during WWII, is the premier wreck diving destination in the world. Why? On February 17, 1944 the tropical skies over Truk Lagoon exploded with rage as U.S. Navy, Task Force 58 - a group of 9 aircraft carriers and related cruisers, destroyers and subs launched an attack on Truk Lagoon. Mike and Georgann will take you back in history to explore the shipwrecks of Chuuk and the events leading to their loss.
Georgann & Mike Wachter Bio
Chuuk Lagoon, known as Truk Lagoon during WWII, is the premier wreck diving destination in the world. Why? On February 17, 1944 the tropical skies over Truk Lagoon exploded with rage as U.S. Navy, Task Force 58 - a group of 9 aircraft carriers and related cruisers, destroyers and subs launched an attack on Truk Lagoon. Mike and Georgann will take you back in history to explore the shipwrecks of Chuuk and the events leading to their loss.
The R.H. Rae -- 150 Years of History
Durrell Martin Bio & David Mekker Bio
August 2009 marked the 150th year since the R.H. Rae was lost in a "white squall" in Lake Ontario off Point Traverse. Join members of the NDA as they explore this historic wreck on her sesquicentennial.
Join us as we dive back into her history….from her launch in 1857 to being visited by Jacques-Yves Cousteau and his team in 1980. She holds many secrets, having been lost only a year after her launch even though she was outfitted with some of the newest technology of the time - like Self-Reefing Topsails and Double Bulkheads. The Rae also has many local connections to the Niagara area, having been built in St. Catharines. We will look at her loss and those that searched for and found the Rae.
Durrell Martin Bio & David Mekker Bio
August 2009 marked the 150th year since the R.H. Rae was lost in a "white squall" in Lake Ontario off Point Traverse. Join members of the NDA as they explore this historic wreck on her sesquicentennial.
Join us as we dive back into her history….from her launch in 1857 to being visited by Jacques-Yves Cousteau and his team in 1980. She holds many secrets, having been lost only a year after her launch even though she was outfitted with some of the newest technology of the time - like Self-Reefing Topsails and Double Bulkheads. The Rae also has many local connections to the Niagara area, having been built in St. Catharines. We will look at her loss and those that searched for and found the Rae.
Joe Hoyt
Marine Archaeologist,
Bay Area Diver,
Marine Photographer
Marine Archaeologist,
Bay Area Diver,
Marine Photographer
Hitler's Secret Attack on America
One of Bay Area Divers own, Joe Hoyt has gone on to fame with his National Geographic special, Hitler's Secret Attack on America. We are excited to announce that Joe will be our second dinner program speaker this year.
Joe will share the secrets of when, for the first time in history, National Geographic Channel and Joe's group of scientists searched the ocean floor for a series of shipwrecks many Americans never heard about. Everyone knows that on December 7, 1941, the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor. But what most don't know is just days later, Hitler sent his own force to devastate the East Coast. On December 19, the German Naval War Staff sent three U-boats to American waters. It was an assault so deadly, it was covered up by the U.S. government.
Joe will share the secrets of when, for the first time in history, National Geographic Channel and Joe's group of scientists searched the ocean floor for a series of shipwrecks many Americans never heard about. Everyone knows that on December 7, 1941, the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor. But what most don't know is just days later, Hitler sent his own force to devastate the East Coast. On December 19, the German Naval War Staff sent three U-boats to American waters. It was an assault so deadly, it was covered up by the U.S. government.
Raja Ampat - Papua Paradise
Rudy Whitworth Bio
Raja Ampat is the world center of Marine Biodiversity and needs to be on every diver’s bucket list!
In the presentation, Rudy will share images of the outstanding wide angle reefs and sea life as well as the specialized fish and critters. Examples are mantas, sharks, pipefish, seahorses, sea moths to sea spiders as well as unique shrimps, crabs, flatworms and nudibranchs. Rudy will also talk about the Eco resort with it’s excellent house reef diving as well as the quality of the resort and dive facilities. This show also includes a dive on a WWII P-47 airplane.
Rudy Whitworth Bio
Raja Ampat is the world center of Marine Biodiversity and needs to be on every diver’s bucket list!
In the presentation, Rudy will share images of the outstanding wide angle reefs and sea life as well as the specialized fish and critters. Examples are mantas, sharks, pipefish, seahorses, sea moths to sea spiders as well as unique shrimps, crabs, flatworms and nudibranchs. Rudy will also talk about the Eco resort with it’s excellent house reef diving as well as the quality of the resort and dive facilities. This show also includes a dive on a WWII P-47 airplane.
Shipwrecks of Thunder Bay
Joe Hoyt Bio
The shipwrecks of Thunder Bay constitute a microcosm of the Great Lakes commercial shipping industry spanning the last two hundred years. The collection reflects transitions in ship architecture and construction, from wooden schooners to early steel-hulled steamers, as well as several unusual vessel types. Joe will explore the wrecks and diving in Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary
Joe Hoyt Bio
The shipwrecks of Thunder Bay constitute a microcosm of the Great Lakes commercial shipping industry spanning the last two hundred years. The collection reflects transitions in ship architecture and construction, from wooden schooners to early steel-hulled steamers, as well as several unusual vessel types. Joe will explore the wrecks and diving in Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary
