Gales of November Information

[Mark Y]

What follows was clipped from

"What began as a few divers getting together for dinner to share shipwreck pictures and videos has grown to be a premier regional event at the Duluth Entertainment and Convention Center (DECC) along the waterfront attracting more than 700 enthusiasts.

The Saturday event kicks off with a Friday evening Gala Reception at the Corps of Engineers Lake Superior Maritime Visitor Center sponsored by Lake Superior Magazine. This dazzling even is held for sponsors, speakers, exhibitors and Gales ticket holders.

The keynote address given during the evening dinner, “The Greatest Ships on the Great Lakes,” by James H.I. Weakley, president of the Lake Carriers’ Association, culminates a day of activity that draws hundreds of maritime aficionados, divers and just curious lake lovers.

Speakers and presentations this year will examine new shipwreck discoveries; histories of Isle Royale fishing; Minnesota’s iron ranges; “homeland security” during World War II; hard hat diving; Aerial Lift Bridge centennial; Apostle Islands lighthouses and presentations by authors of newly released books on regional and maritime history.

There will be retail, information booths and a silent auction throughout the day. And for the first time there will be a live auction of authentic nautical artifacts."

Anyone plan on going???

[Mark Y]

One session is "The Thomas Friant AKA Robert Wallace - Lake Superior's Latest Shipwreck Discovery". By Jerry Eliason, Ken Merryman, & Randy Beebe.

I've been privy to some ROV & diver videos of the wreck, so I'm sure this will be a most excellent presentation!

[Mark Y]

A small taste for the wreckers out there . . .

[Mark Y]

And another . . .

[rcojr]

Mark
Both of these pictures of the Thomas Friant are early photos that were taken when she was in the passenger trade.
The ship that lies on the bottom today looks very different.
The best photo of it currently is in Julius Wolff's book Lake Superior Shipwrecks on page 175.
The book is currently out of print as it is being updated but I thought I saw one of the old ones at GUDC.

[rcojr]

Mark
There was no ROV involved in the photos you saw just drop cameras.

[Mark Y]

You're right, my mistake. Sorry. I know I'm no expert in the discovery of the 'Thomas Friant'; just trying to drum-up interest in the 'Gales'.

As for the photos, I'll try and find more 'recent' ones . . . the ones I posted where the only ones I could find. Thanks for the information, I makes me even more interested in the 'Gales' presentation!

[rcojr]

We got weathered out on Sunday but had a great dive on Saturday. 20 min bottom time and 1 hour 40 min deco.
Ken got some great video that should add to his presentation
on the Friant.
I expect a lot of interest in the wreck at the Gales.

[Mark Y]

Reminder...

Gales of November is this weekend.

Come to Duluth:

see... dive displays...
smell... the fresh harbour air...
hear... the discovery of the 'Thomas Friant'...
touch... shipwreck artifacts...
taste... well... that's a difficult one...

It will be fun! ;D

[LRRP02]

Did the Gales yesterday and am a little disappointed in it. They need to have 2 costs. one ($17.00 or $20.00) for the entire thing and one about half the cost to see the exhabits. I don't do auctions of any kind and a few other things that were included in that price. And what does the shipwreck society do? I know Michigan put money into preserving their wrecks (no take) Some of the stuff I saw that has been taken belongs in a museum. One remark given to me that this is at depths no body else will probably dive, but what makes them exclusive? That is on thing I see here is it seems everyone (shops and interest group divers) are there for themselves. Other areas I have been to shops seem to link up for the betterment of the diving public ie; sinking of the Speigle Grove, sites along the east and west coast, the Cribbean destination, along the gulf coast, South Pactific and the Red Sea They share sites and pitch in for maintance of buoys etc.
Up here I see everyone is in it for themselves to draw the most off the diving public with little or no return (and no more) back in.