Thomas Wilson Wreck Dive

[flyboy65]

Two dives on the Wilson just off the shipping channel outside of Duluth today.  Viz was close to 20 feet.  Temp was very warm, even with a NE wind with a little chop (2-3ft).  74 at the surface, lower 50's around the bottom of the wreck at 66'. 

Very fun dive from stern to bow and back both times.  One hatch cover is lying kitty-corner to the opening...one which may have ultimately been to blame for her sinking.  Midship is wide open, I'm thinking because of the dynamite they used to clear the shipping channel, but I'm not sure.  Sadly, there is alot of junk, mostly beer cans lying around the wreck, and even on the wreck itself.  I wonder if a guy should clean them up...

Three large cargo ships headed out from port while we were out there.  As we were settling into our second dive, one motored by.  Had I not known what it was, I'd have cleared out of there.  Pretty strange sound...even blowing bubbles, it was loud.  I'd say she rests about 1,000 - 1,500 feet off the shipping channel.

All in all, two of my more favorite dives.  Hope to dive there a few more times before the ice sets in.  Ahhhh...ice. 

Bill

[JoeV]

Does the Wilson have a buoy for tieing up a boat?

[flyboy65]

Unfortunately, no.  Great Lakes Preservation Society is working on allowing one to be installed, but with the big boats anchoring out there, sounds like it may not happen.  Those big ships create a lot of damage to historical sites such as this, as with even small boats.  Our anchor hit the site of the boat, and another's ended up going through a hatch opening.  A buoy would be a nice aversion to possible damage to the ship.