What can you say about David Trotter? David has given more presentations than any other speaker at our annual Shipwrecks Symposium. He just keeps discovering shipwrecks and as long as he does, we’ll keep inviting him back!
David Trotter is a renowned shipwreck discoverer, deep diver, author, lecturer and photographer. In over 20 years of diving, he has been the first to locate, identify and document 70+ Great Lakes shipwrecks. His shipwreck discoveries and programs have been featured on television and in newspapers throughout the U.S. and Canada. He has written several articles on Great Lakes shipwrecks that have been published in historical journals and national scuba diving publications.Through Undersea Research Associates, founded to present the Great Lakes community with an electronically sophisticated means of underwater search and survey for archeological and commercial purposes, he presents visual underwater time capsules of marine history. Utilizing state-of-the-art side scan sonar, with outstanding skilled operators, the organization offers high resolution bottom profiling at depths to 1,000 feet, underwater site survey and underwater photographic documentation.
Ice Water Palace – the A. Everett & Final Flight
(Note: This program was originally planned for last year, but due to a family illness Dave was unable to make last year’s event)
The 212′ steamer A. Everett steamed into history on April 30, 1895, when she sank in deep water 20 miles above Point Aux Barques, Michigan in Lake Huron.
In the first run of the year, the A. Everett, under the command of Captain Kendall, cleared Chicago on April 26, 1895 with 48,000 bushels of corn destined for Ogdensburg, New York. It was a journey the Everett never completed. On April 30th, 8 PM Monday evening, the Everett’s bow, cut by ice, allowed the frigid ice water to rush through a gaping hole. The damaged steamer was doomed, and an hour later she plunged to the floor of Lake Huron.
The Captain and crew escaped in the yawl boat, destined for a long, cold, and perhaps deadly journey in the open boat. Fortunately, the 213′ steamer Eber Ward, which had also cleared Chicago on the first run of the year, picked up the survivors. In an ironic twist of fate, 24 years later the Eber Ward would suffer the same fate as the A. Everett, sinking in the Straits of Mackinac with the loss of five lives.
The Everett rested quietly, missing for 110 years. Share the excitement with the first explorers as they visit an “Ice Water Palace”….the 212′ steamer A. Everett sitting upright on the floor of Lake Huron.
FINAL FLIGHT
The URA team has searched over 2,000 square miles of Lake Huron in the quest to discover and explore history’s mysteries. In May, 2005 a miniscule “target” appears 450′ to the side of the fast moving research vessel “Obsession Too”. Weeks later, the dive team leaves port before dawn, moving 30 miles out into Lake Huron. The objective is to explore this unique target.
What is found amazes all of us…..a pre-WWll military biplane made its “Final Flight”, having remained missing for 60+ years. Ralph Roberts, aviation expert, believes that we have discovered a rare Douglas O-38 biplane that was built in the early 1930’s and lost before WWll.
This adventure is still unfolding as the URA team is researching the lost plane and occupants. Stay Tuned!!
“Hidden Depths; Amazing Underwater Discoveries“
In 1895, the 137’ Schooner S. H. Kimball was sunk by a Stone. . . .that is, in a collision with the Steamer George Stone. The Kimball sits upright on the floor of Lake Huron, with coal still waiting to be unloaded. She is a great dive. . . .explore her with the URA team as we attempt to uncover the identity of this mysterious vessel.
Ironically, the Steamer George Stone was subsequently lost in 1909 off Point Pelee (Canada) in Lake Erie while carrying coal. She was also discovered by David Trotter in the late 80’s when working with the “Save Ontario Shipwrecks” (SOS) organization. The George Stone is an excellent shallow water dive for those visiting Point Pelee.
The 424’ Edward Demmer, built in Wyandotte, Michigan, was to sail the Great Lakes for a brief 24 years before colliding with the Steamer Saturn in dense, pea soup fog on May 20, 1923.
Ten minutes later, the giant steel ship had sunk in the icy depths of Lake Huron, 40 miles north of Port Austin, Michigan. Her location remained a mystery for more than 80 years until May of 2006, when she appeared on the sidescan sonar of the research vessel, Obsession. Her cargo holds were filled with coal that is now scattered on the floor of Lake Huron. Share the excitement of the Edward Demmer’s discovery and exploration with the URA team!
