Posted by Bob G. on June 17, 19102 at 20:55:03:
At Chicago's Burnham Harbor Yacht Club, a meeting was called by Pat Hammer and David Wetherald of Scuba Emporium dive shop about moving the car ferry "Straits of Mackinac" to Chicago, finish cleaning and prepping it and sinking it approx 10 miles from Chicago in Lake Michigan in 80 feet of water. This would put top structure in 40 feet and main deck in 60 feet. A group of dive retailers and interested divers attended. Citing the success on the West Coast of "Yukon Project," Pat Hammer extolled the benefits of this venture: an artificial reef, a incredible diving site for not only recreation but training and a boon to scuba diving in Chicago, an attraction second to none.
A number of dive shops responded with imaginative fund-raising ideas, including sight-seeing tours, raffles, etc. Several experienced people volunteered their expertise in cutting red-tape and gathering volunteers to clean it up and prep it for sinking.
Enough money has been raised for its move to Chicago, expected this week, and more is coming in for the remainder of the task. The ship is expected to be moved this week.
Will keep updating.