HomeThomas Wilson and Mayflower

Thomas Wilson and Mayflower - Level 3 Project

Please Note:

In 2021 the Thomas Wilson Project was changed from an Invasive Species Monitoring Project to a Monitoring and 3D Photogrammetry project. As of now the project will remain a Monitoring and 3D Photogrammetry Project until further notice.

The shipwreck of the Thomas Wilson is starting to collapse and the GLSPS has a need to monitor the activity to help preserve its historical significance which will consist of the following Instructions. The project is totally dependent upon the weather and visibility.

If the weather or visibility goes south on us, we have a contingency plan. We will be attempting to anchor and dive on the Mayflower, which is another 3.5 miles from the Wilson and will also create additional cruising time.

Planned Itinerary:

Departing Spirit Lake Marina around 7:00 AM – All Participants must have filled out and submitted the Online Liability Release and Waiver Form a minimum of 24 hours before the event. Failure to do so will forfeit your spot on this event.
Boat briefing before we leave the dock.
We are going to make our way to the Thomas Wilson shipwreck to determine the viability and if we can dive it.
Dive Briefing and the plan on how we are performing the Monitoring and 3D Photo Shoot before the first dive.
The first dive team Suits up and readies themselves for the first dive of the event. Mostly the divers that are shooting video and photos.
The second team, and with a short briefing from the first team, will report on how the visibility was and what our next step is going forward from that point.
We will also be collecting data to determine deterioration of the shipwreck

Additional Note:

You are welcome to stay/sleep on the boat. Some folks get a Hotel room for Friday and Saturday night (s).

If you have any further Questions about the project, please get in touch with the project leader.

Please bring warm clothes and appropriate cold water diving equipment. including one main scuba tank. This dive project requires a redundant air source. Please bring a stage/pony size not smaller than 30 Cu Ft and no larger than 40 Cu Ft. Please only bring the minimum equipment and bags. (Soft bags only). If sleeping on-board the RV Preservation, please bring a sleeping bag, pillow, toiletries and towel to take a shower at the Marina if needed.

We hope you enjoy the comradeship this project provides. The GLSPS staff like to share the great times we have with all of you.

Looking forward to see you on this project.

Thank you,

GLSPS Board of Directors
info@glsps.org

Bow of the Thomas Wilson

Photo by Ken Merryman

Coal Bunker of the Thomas Wilson

Photo by Ken Merryman

Forward turret of the Thomas Wilson

Photo by Ken Merryman

2026
Closing Report

The 2026 Thomas Wilson and Mayflower Monitoring Project was finally able to take place, as the visibility was great on Sunday. Saturday we were weathered off with 15 to 25 mph winds and 4 to 5 foot waves. We did go out on the lake but turned back around.

2025
Closing Report

The 2025 Wilson and Mayflower Project was completely cancelled because of visibility both weekends we planned the Project. No project took place. Although we did take a trip out to the wreck sites and found that the water was pure brown from the St Louis River because of down pouring on rain storms that hit the area!

2024
Closing Report

The 2024 Wilson and Mayflower Project was completely weathered out both weekends we planned the Project. No project took place. Although we did take a trip out to the wreck sites and found that the water was pure brown from the St Louis River because of down pouring on rain storms that hit the area!

2023
Closing Report

The 2023 Wilson and Mayflower Project was completely weathered out both weekends we planned the Project. No project took place.

2022
Closing Report

The 2022 Wilson and Mayflower Project was a bust. We did travel out to both shipwrecks and found that the visibility was poor on both the Wilson and Mayflower. We were not able to shoot 3D Photogrammetry but, still made on dive on each shipwreck to visually check their conditions. Both shipwrecks hadn't changed much or at least what we could see and from the 2021 Season Project.

We only did one weekend from the two weekends planned, as we thought the visibility would change within a week and wouldn't want to waste peoples time and boat resources to travel to the wreck site to find just as poor visibility.

The crew still had a great time cruising the river and seeing the fall colors. We at the GLSPS always have an awesome time with other members on the RV Preservation during projects. We encourage members to join us because even though we may be weathered of or have a visibility issue, we always make it worth the while to participate in each project. Sometimes we go touring around the area, visit museums, go for train rides. There is something for everyone when you are in Duluth!

Please take a moment to view the photos of the event. If they are not uploaded yet. Please check back in a few days to attempt to view them again.

Andrew Goodman
Project Leader

2021

Closing Report

Photo Album

The Thomas Wilson and Mayflower Project was a successful project. We were able to get some 3D Photogrammetry completed on both shipwrecks. Unfortunately we were only able to get bits and pieces of each shipwreck. (See photos).

The visibility on the shipwrecks were a bit challenging but enough to get a few images processed to monitor and show what is happening on each Shipwreck as well.

All and all, it was a great weekend with fairly calm seas and sunshine. If members have a chance to register and participate in the project, please do not hesitate to join us. Please check with the GLSPS Calendar of Events to see what projects we have slated for the season.

Everyone had a great time and so should every member. That is if the members actually join us on these projects. They are always a great time and are very educational.

Andrew Goodman
Project Leader