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 Great Lakes Shipwreck Preservation Society

Dedicated to Preserving our Shipwrecks and Maritime History
"From Prevention to Preservation"



HomeIce Diving Documentation Class 2011


  
Lake Minnetonka Ice Dive February 5th
By Bob Nelson

Divers need to dive, and winter is no excuse not to, so off again to Lake Minnetonka
for our chance to have some winter fun. We chose to dive on the Hercules
again to complete last year’s documentation. We were rained out last
year in January. This year we were hoping for "cold Weather" to be able to
complete the documentation on the Hercules. Well the weather was beautiful,
in the 20’s and clear. Twelve excited divers meet at Lake Minnetonka Carson's
Bay prepared to get wet and have some fun. Phil Kerber brought the special
ice cutting chain saw and all the other necessary equipment to make the dive
successful and comfortable, Bob Nelson brought hot beverages and food, and
Pete McConnel brought the documentation equipment. We were ready.
The plan was to continue the documentation of the Hercules, including learning
some new documentation techniques being taught by Bob Nelson, get
wet and have fun. Nine cars and trucks headed out to conquer the ice and
whatever they fi nd below it. The hole was quickly cut in the ice, changing and
warming houses were set up, hot beverages and food was being prepared. Bob
Nelson began instructing the divers on the standardized methods for underwater
site documentation. Next we had the safety talk, and discussion of the
procedures and practices to be used for the day. The divers were ready to get
into the water.
Pete McConnell and Steve Steichen went down first to set the baseline in
position. They placed the baseline on the center line of the Hercules, secured
it in position and begin drawing the shipwreck on the special drawing board
they took down with them. The drawing was more diffi cult than hoped, since
the water visibility was maybe 10 feet and diminishing. The remaining divers
paired up for their dive and everybody dove. The visibility was declining
through the day; limiting the amount of drawing the teams could get done.
The decision was made to wrap things up about 4 and head for the local pub.
We got some more documentation completed, learned more documentation
techniques, had a great time, but will need to return another time to complete
the documentation.

 

 

 

 



Steve Steichen, Jim Christain, Bob Nelson (in hole)

 

 

 

Bob Nelson ready to Dive, Pete McConnell in  hole, Steve Steichen and Jim Christain Tending