Featuring the "real" Dirk Pitt , RMS Titanic and
"The Battle of Lake Erie"
"The Battle of Lake Erie"
Evening Banquet Program: 6:30pm - 9:30pm: $35.00
Morning Workshop: 9:30am - 11:30am $15.00
Afternoon Programs: 1:00pm - 4:30pm $20.00
The United States Mail Steamship Central America sank in deep water off the coast of the Carolinas during a monstrous 1857 hurricane. In addition to 578 passengers and crew, and 38,000 pieces of mail, the Central America also held tons of gold ingots, coins, nuggets, and dust mined from the western gold fields during a defining quarter-century when the country came of age.
Lost for 131 years, the Central America shipwreck is a unique time capsule of information and artifacts of an era in which the very character and spirit of America blossomed. Dr. Herdendorf, who served as Science Director for the recovery expedition, will offer information, not just on the treasure, but on the many scientific discoveries on the SS Central America shipwreck.
Lost for 131 years, the Central America shipwreck is a unique time capsule of information and artifacts of an era in which the very character and spirit of America blossomed. Dr. Herdendorf, who served as Science Director for the recovery expedition, will offer information, not just on the treasure, but on the many scientific discoveries on the SS Central America shipwreck.
REGISTRATION
Sponsor and Presenter Display area open from 11:30am to 6:30pm - Free
Morning Seminar
$15.00 each
$15.00 each
Afternoon Programs
$20.00 each
$20.00 each
Evening Program and Dinner, $35.00 each
Ken Marshall
Stay all day: Morning, Afternoon, Evening Program and Dinner $70.00 each
Please select dinner choice. Seating this year will be Festival Seating (pick your seat when you arrive)..
Dennis Hale
The Science of the treasure ship SS Central America
Eddie Herdendorf, Ph.D., Professor of Geological Sciences, The Ohio State University (BIO)
Eddie Herdendorf, Ph.D., Professor of Geological Sciences, The Ohio State University (BIO)
Please select dinner choice. Seating this year will be Festival Seating (pick your seat when you arrive)..
The Sultan,
Jim Paskert
The Sultan foundered in a fierce storm on 24 September 1864 shortly after leaving Cleveland bound for Buffalo, NY with a load of grindstones, lumber, and barrel staves. The remains of the Sultan, originally discovered by Rob Ruetschle, were relocated by Cleveland Underwater Explorers in 2011 and moored by MAST in 2012. Bay Area Divers donated a significant amount of money to this project.
Lake Erie Shipwreck Mooring Project
Ken Marshall
Including the Sultan, which was moored this year, MAST (the Maritime Archaeological Survey Team) maintains 11 moorings in the Ohio Waters of Lake Erie. Ken will review the dive sites with moorings and how the mooring system operates.
The Last Battle of the Robber Barons: Commodore and Jay Gould
Georgann and Mike Wachter
On June 17, 1918, the last battle between "robber barons" Cornelius Vanderbilt and Jay Gould came to an end as the barge “Commodore” was under tow of the wood Steamer Jay Gould. The steamer and her consort left Cleveland with a load of coal and encountered heavy seas and 30 mile per hour winds. When the aging steamer sprung a leak and began to sink, the Commodore was cast off and left to fend for herself. The crew of the Gould was rescued by the steamer Midvale. The Commodore tossed uncontrollably in the trough of the seas for two hours before the crew of 7 boarded the life boat and was rescued by the steamer Mattafa. The Gould was found years ago and is a popular dive site. The Commodore lay lost until her discovery in 2011 by the Wachters. Rob Ruetschle, discoverer of the Sultan, had found the Commodore years earlier but kept it secret.
The Charles King and other wrecks of lower Lake Huron
Gary Venet
Discovered in 2008, the Charles King is a two masted schooner, 140' x 30' sitting upright in 215 feet of water. Gary will also explore shipwrecks of the Sanilac Underwater Preserve and The Thumb Area Great Lakes Preserve.
Jim Paskert
The Sultan foundered in a fierce storm on 24 September 1864 shortly after leaving Cleveland bound for Buffalo, NY with a load of grindstones, lumber, and barrel staves. The remains of the Sultan, originally discovered by Rob Ruetschle, were relocated by Cleveland Underwater Explorers in 2011 and moored by MAST in 2012. Bay Area Divers donated a significant amount of money to this project.
Lake Erie Shipwreck Mooring Project
Ken Marshall
Including the Sultan, which was moored this year, MAST (the Maritime Archaeological Survey Team) maintains 11 moorings in the Ohio Waters of Lake Erie. Ken will review the dive sites with moorings and how the mooring system operates.
The Last Battle of the Robber Barons: Commodore and Jay Gould
Georgann and Mike Wachter
On June 17, 1918, the last battle between "robber barons" Cornelius Vanderbilt and Jay Gould came to an end as the barge “Commodore” was under tow of the wood Steamer Jay Gould. The steamer and her consort left Cleveland with a load of coal and encountered heavy seas and 30 mile per hour winds. When the aging steamer sprung a leak and began to sink, the Commodore was cast off and left to fend for herself. The crew of the Gould was rescued by the steamer Midvale. The Commodore tossed uncontrollably in the trough of the seas for two hours before the crew of 7 boarded the life boat and was rescued by the steamer Mattafa. The Gould was found years ago and is a popular dive site. The Commodore lay lost until her discovery in 2011 by the Wachters. Rob Ruetschle, discoverer of the Sultan, had found the Commodore years earlier but kept it secret.
The Charles King and other wrecks of lower Lake Huron
Gary Venet
Discovered in 2008, the Charles King is a two masted schooner, 140' x 30' sitting upright in 215 feet of water. Gary will also explore shipwrecks of the Sanilac Underwater Preserve and The Thumb Area Great Lakes Preserve.
It was impossible for Mike Fletcher to work as a professional diver in the 80s and 90s and not know about Clive Cussler. Every offshore drill rig, salvage tug and marine construction dive shack had stacks of dog-eared, coffee-stained copies of his books. The Dirk Pitt character that Clive created was, for Mike, the ultimate dive adventure hero, with a propensity for stopping the bad guys, saving the world, and getting the girl, all the while doing cool stuff underwater.
Then one day, as if through divine intervention, Fletcher got to do something that the fictional Pitt could never do. No, he never got to stop bad guys, save the world or get the girl, but Mike Fletcher from Port Dover, Ontario, got to hang out with Clive Cussler and sail around the world, making television about "cool stuff underwater".
Then one day, as if through divine intervention, Fletcher got to do something that the fictional Pitt could never do. No, he never got to stop bad guys, save the world or get the girl, but Mike Fletcher from Port Dover, Ontario, got to hang out with Clive Cussler and sail around the world, making television about "cool stuff underwater".
Meet the "real" Dirk Pitt
Mike Fletcher (BIO)
Mike Fletcher (BIO)
For over five years it was an incredible ride - from Japan to the Arctic, the Straits of Magellan to the South China Sea, forty different adventures in the four corners of the earth, filled with challenges, new discoveries, and at times the chance to fill in missing pages from world history .
Although still great friends, sadly the "Sea Hunters" mission - to go under the Oceans, the Lakes, the Rivers and the Seas in search of true adventures with famous shipwrecks - came to an end in 2005, only to be followed by sixty more episodes of underwater documentary television for Mike and his son Warren.
Join Mike Fletcher at Shipwrecks/ and Scuba to revisit his favorite video moments, and learn how a local diver got the chance to do what Dirk Pitt could never do.
Although still great friends, sadly the "Sea Hunters" mission - to go under the Oceans, the Lakes, the Rivers and the Seas in search of true adventures with famous shipwrecks - came to an end in 2005, only to be followed by sixty more episodes of underwater documentary television for Mike and his son Warren.
Join Mike Fletcher at Shipwrecks/ and Scuba to revisit his favorite video moments, and learn how a local diver got the chance to do what Dirk Pitt could never do.
The Battle of Lake Erie
Gerry Altoff (BIO)
Gerry Altoff (BIO)
On September 10, 1813, Oliver Hazard Perry and a fleet of 9 American tall ships engaged an English fleet of 6 men of war North West of South Bass Island in Lake Erie. Perry’s fleet won the day, and wrested control of the Great Lakes supply lines form the British in the War of 1812. “We have met the enemy, and they are ours, two ships, two brigs, one schooner and one sloop" became one of the most often quoted military communiqués in history. However, the reality of the battle was gruesome. Gerry Altoff brings this moment in history to life, providing background information relative to America's involvement in the war,
the campaigns of the war in the Old Northwest, and the events at Erie, Pennsylvania, including both building and manning the U.S. fleet. The meat of the program focuses on the complex naval engagement itself, including the problems experienced by both the American and British commanders, the quest for tactical advantage, the tactical complexities of the battle, the controversial maneuvers of the Brig Niagara, and personal vignettes of involved individuals. The program concludes with a brief follow-up on the political and military implications of Perry's crucial victory on Lake Erie.
Sawmill Creek Resort & Lodge, 400 Sawmill Creek Drive West, Huron, OH 44839
Women and Children First: Stories of Titanic Survivors and the Brave Souls Who Stayed Behind
Rob Catalano
So you think you already know some of the most intriguing people who sailed on Titanic's doomed maiden voyage? Think again. "Molly" Brown was far from the most unsinkable person on board. Captain EJ Smith went down with the ship, but who was the highest ranking officer to survive? And what was so special about the Chief Baker? Come hear about some of the most fascinating yet lesser known passengers and crew from the RMS Titanic. As an actor for "Titanic: The Artifact Exhibition" for the 2002 traveling exhibit at the Great Lakes Science Center, and former Deputy Director for the Steamship William G. Mather Maritime Museum, Rob Catalano has learned many of the secrets, scandals, and stories that keep the legend of Titanic alive 100 years after the most memorable maritime disaster of all time. If you're lucky, Rob might also share what he knows about two eerie Erie maritime connections with Titanic.
Rob Catalano
So you think you already know some of the most intriguing people who sailed on Titanic's doomed maiden voyage? Think again. "Molly" Brown was far from the most unsinkable person on board. Captain EJ Smith went down with the ship, but who was the highest ranking officer to survive? And what was so special about the Chief Baker? Come hear about some of the most fascinating yet lesser known passengers and crew from the RMS Titanic. As an actor for "Titanic: The Artifact Exhibition" for the 2002 traveling exhibit at the Great Lakes Science Center, and former Deputy Director for the Steamship William G. Mather Maritime Museum, Rob Catalano has learned many of the secrets, scandals, and stories that keep the legend of Titanic alive 100 years after the most memorable maritime disaster of all time. If you're lucky, Rob might also share what he knows about two eerie Erie maritime connections with Titanic.
James A. Andrews - Marine Artist
Dave & Annette Soule
I want to be a sponsor, I'll donate $250 Platinum, $100 Gold, $50 Silver
Mike Thal
Time Past = Dave & Catherine LaGrange
Cantri on Canvas
You waited too long! Advance registration is closed.
We have walk in availability for the morning and afternoon sessions and very limited walk in dinner capacity.
We have walk in availability for the morning and afternoon sessions and very limited walk in dinner capacity.