Towing Device behind Boat to help find Artifacts
Liberty Anchor Display
Closing Report:
Survey Results
June 29 - 30, 2019
Here is the link to the photos taken during the Project. Grand Marais Harbor Survey Project 2019 Photos
We were very successful with the project this year. We first located several knees from the schooner ELGIN and a hatch combing, hull section, bow section and several metal pieces and timbers from the steamer LIBERTY. The most significant find was a very large section of the hull side, including the rail from the steamer LIBERTY.
No one was aware of this piece that is the size of a full size pickup truck. Coordinates for each piece were pinpointed by the diver, photographed underwater and recorded on a list.
While we did not find the rudder, it is most likely buried in the sand. The last time I saw it, it was almost fully covered then and easy to miss. This large heavy artifact may be the most at risk, considering the plan drawing provided by the Campground/Marina manager. The "L" shaped extension of the rock rubble breakwater that will be added near the new launch ramp docks, with direct boat traffic toward the rudder location. This could be difficult to dive safely as a consequence. I will contact the MHS SHPO archaeologist regarding this to consider potential options to protect this artifact and keep access available to divers.
I will summarize our project and post more of it in this closing report. I will also assemble a brief PowerPoint presentation to share with GLSPS members at Friday Night at the Movies at the next UMSAT Show in 2020.
We made the decision to wrap up the project Saturday. The heavy thunderstorm that came through late Saturday night dropped a lot of rain. Diving on Sunday in the harbor would have been very poor visibility as a result.
Thank you all very much for your outstanding participation in the Grand Marais Shipwreck Artifact Harbor Survey in completing this important project successfully..
Below is a report sent to Dave Tersteeg from the Cook County Historical Society.
I created a spreadsheet noting the coordinates for the shipwreck Artifacts we found on the bottom in the south west area of the Grand Marais harbor. the newest finds were the large hull section, the bow section and what I now think is the small section of one of the bulkheads of the LIBERTY shipwreck. The depths we recorded are noted as well. Knees from the LIBERTY shipwreck were also found and noted. I think the hatch combing with an ELGIN knee chained to it may actually be from the LIBERTY shipwreck. Someone connected them together to help keep them in place sometime in the past.
The large rudder from the LIBERTY shipwreck is in shallower water, closer to shore in front of the picnic shelter. A surface photo showing divers over the rudder and the proximity to the picnic shelter is attached below. I think this artifact may be most affected by the boat ramp expansion and rock breakwater extension. While we did not see it during our June 2019 dives, I think it may be buried in the sand and pebbles that tend to move around with storms. I attached some photos of the almost buried rudder we saw in August 2011. The coordinates for it are from that survey. In 2004 I saw the rudder when the 8-10" thickness was visible and all the metal straps were clearly revealed, as was the rudder post at the top. However, my underwater camera flooded before I could take any photos of it.
Link to the coordinates sheet/report. Please Note: This page has not been released yet. Please check back later.
Grand Marais Harbor Survey Artifact Coordinates
Thank you to all that helped on this project.
Steve Daniel
Project Leader
GLSPS Duluth