2/28/13

Great Lakes Shipwreck Festival coming Saturday, March 2 to Ann Arbor

 

FORD SEAHORSES SCUBA DIVING CLUB PRESENTS

THE 32ND GREAT LAKES SHIPWRECK FESTIVAL SATURDAY, MARCH 2ND

AT WASHTENAW COMMUNITY COLLEGE IN ANN ARBOR

 

The Ford Seahorses Scuba Diving Club, in conjunction with the Detroit Historical Society's Dossin Maritime Group and the Dossin Great Lakes Museum, presents the 32nd Great Lakes Shipwreck Festival on Saturday, March 2nd from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Washtenaw Community College's Morris Lawrence Building, 4800 E. Huron River Drive, in Ann Arbor. 

 

This year's program features presentations about the formerly-unsolved mysteries of shipwrecks, including David Trotter with the story of the New York lost in Lake Huron in 1910 and Tony Gramer sharing the loss of the tug Anna Dobbins in Saginaw Bay in 1886. Ross Richardson is presenting the history of a number of Lake Michigan shipwrecks. In addition to shipwrecks, there will be programs featuring a variety international dives, including the visually breathtaking Philippines and the unmatched saltwater diversity and beauty of south-central Indonesia, featuring stunning video and still images of colorful and unusual marine life, including Komodo dragons.

 

Other programs include Robert McGreevy's fascinating story of the Keystone State, a large wooden steamer that disappeared with its entire crew in 1861. Jim and Pat Stayer present the story of the Great Storm of 1913 -- with its hurricane force winds, it has been called the most destructive storm ever to strike the Great Lakes. In Lake Huron alone, eight large steel ships were lost with all hands during a 16-hour period.

 

The event also includes a variety of book signings and exhibits from local maritime artists, the Dossin Great Lakes Museum, local dive shops, travel companies and other dive-related companies.

Tickets for the event are $20 in advance and $25 at the door.  Doors open at 8:30 a.m.

 

For ticket information or program details, visit www.shipwreckfestival.org, call (734) 459-8476, or e-mail glsftickets@aol.com.   

 

The Ford Seahorses Scuba Diving Club, established in 1957 as a member of the Ford Employees Recreation Association (FERA), is one of the most active dive clubs in Michigan.  The club is a non-profit organization dedicated to the enjoyment and advancement of the sport of scuba diving.