A LAKE HURON DISCOVERY BY THE 'HARBOR BEACH EXPLORERS'
by Capt. Andy Donato

On June 21, 2008, while the Sylvia Anne was moored on a wreck and scuba diving the waters out of Harbor Beach, Michigan, a down bound vessel with a unique profile was sighted. The vessel was not one of the typically seen bulk freighters. Upon closer inspection, the ship was determined to be the 180-foot U.S. Environmental Protection Agency ship Lake Guardian.

As she came closer it was observed that the ship had a cable in the water off her stern. Out of curiosity we haled the Lake Guardian to inquire what it was towing. In the short conversation that followed, we found out that the Lake Guardian was an EPA water quality research vessel, newly equipped with hi-definition side scan sonar and was headed down the Lakes for sampling and survey work in Lake Ontario. They had dropped their side-scan tow-fish in the water just to test it while underway.

The captain of the Lake Guardian inquired what we were doing and we responded that we were conducting dive operations on a sailing vessel. Seeing an opportunity, we asked if they would notify us of anything peculiar they might come across. We thought the conversation casual and didn’t think anything would come of it.

Later in the afternoon the Lake Guardian hailed us on the radio to tell us they had found something of interest. They sent us an e-mail message, which we were able to view onboard with a laptop. The message included an acoustic image from their side scan equipment. The image they sent started a mix of intrigue and celebration as we realized the significance of what had just been discovered.

Although the image was considered “high definition,” interpretation was still necessary. Speculation of what the ship could be after staring at the acoustic image drove us to a high level of excitement. We thought at first it could be a steam driven side-wheeler, or maybe a portion of something larger that mysteriously broke apart. We had numerous conversations over quick research inquiries in hope to generate some kind of short list of possible shipwrecks. With all the preparation necessary for mixed gas diving to a 220-foot depth, it would be a week before we could schedule our first dives to the site.

In addition to the diver’s “bottom mix,” a Helium, Oxygen, Nitrogen mix, other cylinders, worn as side-mounts were filled with enriched oxygen for decompression use on the return ascent. Small specialized cylinders were filled with Argon gas to be used exclusively for suit inflation. The Argon gas has excellent insulating properties, which makes it desirable when encountering long exposure in cold water. The dives were planned for 20 minutes of bottom time, on the wreck, requiring 40 minutes of decompression on the return ascent. For this one-hour plan, each diver would be carrying five tanks, two back mounted with “bottom mix,” two side mounted decompression mixes, and an Argon cylinder for suit inflation. It was on June 27, 2008, when we got our small group back together, staged with dual tank systems, side-mounts and suit inflation, all filled with the proper mixes. On a perfect morning the equipment was loaded aboard, Captain Gary Venet’s charter boat Sylvia Anne, and departed the Harbor Beach Marina to explore the new discovery.

Our plan involved two dive teams, the first set of divers was to attach a mooring line, while the second team was to explore and video document the site.

The first team spent the majority of their bottom time looking in a limited area for a secure spot to attach a mooring line for future visits. Once a suitable spot was found, the tedious work of attaching a chain, shackle and line began. With the work of the first team, the second team had the advantage of descending down a secure mooring and utilizing the time solely for an overview. With the return of the second team, the report was not of a side-wheeler nor just a portion of something larger, but an intact sailing vessel.

The post dive debriefing and review of the video shot on the first set of dives showed the mystery wreck to be a sailing vessel, loaded with coal, about 140 feet long. The foremast was still rising from the deck and the bow sprint or jib boom tore back. The mainmast and any other spars that might have been on the vessel were down laying about the deck. Portions of the deck and hatch combings were covered with zebra mussels making it very difficult to recognize any inscriptions or carving.

Follow up dives provided more information toward the identification of the mystery ship; the measurements were confirmed, and that the ship sailed with two masts. However, positive identification continued to elude us. From the evidence observed, research of vessels known to have gone missing in the area, and discussions that followed, several short lists developed.

An excellent fit for the dimensional information was the A. E. Hart. The A. E. Hart was a two masted schooner, carrying coal its last trip. The only problem being that the last report of the A. E. Hart was its stranding in a storm in Hammond Bay, near Rodgers City. For our wreck to be the A. E. Hart, it would need to have “lightered” itself to get off and continue down the Lake for another event to consume her. The history of the A. E. Hart shows that it did this. . . get stuck, dump cargo to get itself off, several times during its life on the Lakes, making this a likely possibility. However, there were some other issues which cast doubt that our site was the final resting place for the A. E. Hart.

Please look for the conclusion in the December issue.

For further information on the HBE or this shipwreck contact Capt. Andy Donato at 810-841-2737 or Capt. Gary Venet at 586-994-7858.