 Authors of the recently released Erie
Wrecks and Lights, Mike and
Georgann are well known for their other two
books, Erie Wrecks East and Erie Wrecks West. They have been
diving around the world since the early 1970’s.
However, nowhere else in the world have they discovered the kind of
pristine and perfectly preserved shipwrecks that lie in the fresh
waters of the Great
Lakes.
As their passion for shipwrecks grew, they
began the extensive research exhibited in the Erie Wrecks books.
What was once a part time hobby became a full
time investigation of the myths and realities behind the thousands of
shipwrecks in the Great Lakes.
In addition to their books, Mike and Georgann
have published numerous magazine articles, and are actively involved in
creating
diver access to and preserving Great Lakes maritime history. Both have been
active
in the Maritime Archaeological Survey Team (MAST) where Mike is past
president
and Georgann has been treasurer. Under Mike’s tenure, 6 shipwrecks in Ohio waters were moored
for divers. They serve actively in several
dive clubs, including the Bay Area Divers (BAD) and Lake Erie Wreck
Divers. This makes them both BAD and LEWD.
Georgann is an
accomplished researcher who is sought after as a speaker on sport
diving, Great
Lakes shipwrecks, and
aquatic life. Her marine
artwork has been exhibited around the Great Lakes. Mike makes his living as a
management
consultant and public speaker. For both Georgann and Mike, their first
love is
shipwreck diving. The collaboration of
Georgann’s love of research and Mike’s love of story telling provides
the fuel
for the Erie Wrecks series. |
Shipwreck Survivor – The sinking
of the Carol Sue II
Have you
ever
wondered what it would be like to survive a shipwreck? Better
yet, what would it be like to dive on
the wreck after you survived the sinking? Well,
shortly after daybreak, seven miles north of
Conneaut, in five
foot waves the Carol Sue II suddenly took on water and sank. Jim Wilson
was at the helm and survived the sinking of this historic Chesapeake
Bay Buy
Boat in 1999. In 2007 Jim revisited the
wreck with authors Mike & Georgann Wachter. This
presentation provides the horrifying story of the
loss and the
cleansing tale of revisiting the wreck through the eyes of a shipwreck
survivor.
|
Jim Wilson aboard Carol Sue ll
|
