Posted by Craig Rich on November 01, 19101 at 20:21:33:
FYI:
West Michigan residents will get their first look at what shipwreck hunters believe is the wreck of the steamer "CHICORA" lost on Lake Michigan over 106 years ago. Several members of the team that discovered what is believed to be the long sought after shipwreck will present their preliminary findings during an evening that will include a series of multimedia presentations depicting the life, loss, search and possible discovery of one of West Michigan’s most significant historic vessels.
The presentation will be made at the Priscilla U. Byrns Heritage Center in downtown St. Joseph, Michigan on Thursday, November 8, 2001 at 7:00 PM. The event is open to the public and admission is free,
The Graham & Morton cargo steamer CHICORA went missing on a late January 1895 trip from Milwaukee to Benton Harbor. Captain Edward Stines, 21 crewmembers, and one passenger were never seen again.
Members of the Southwest Michigan Underwater Preserve committee discovered the wreck in nearly 300 feet of water off Saugatuck on Friday, May 25, 2001. Renowned wreck finder Dave Trotter of Canton Michigan assisted SWMUP members search an area identified by member Jan Miller who pinpointed the location using historical data and computer models provided by the U. S. Coast Guard and the Great Lakes Environmental Research Laboratory of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
Participants and sponsoring organizations include the Berrien County Historical Association, the Chicora Preservation Society, Fort Miami Heritage Society, Great Lakes Environmental Research Laboratory, Michigan Historical Center, Michigan Department of Environmental Quality, Morton House Museum, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association, Southwest Michigan Underwater Preserve and the United States Coast Guard.