Posted by Craig Rich on August 23, 19102 at 23:04:23:
In Reply to: Shipwreck formerly known as the "Chicora" posted by Jeff Vos on August 23, 19102 at 14:45:57:
Jeff: Nice work! This makes sense IF the wreck is that of the H. C. Akeley as we now "believe" it is. (We've learned to NOT be so certain any more!) The Akeley was fitted out with the engine and boilers from a ship which wrecked on the shores of Grand Haven while the Akeley was being constructed at Ferrysburg. And while the engine and boilers would have been salvaged, I'm sure she would have been outfitted with locally produced fittings, valves, and gauges. As more and more evidence is gathered this wreck will soon be positively identified. Thanks for the update.
Craig Rich
Director
Michigan Shipwreck Research Associates
(Still looking for the Chicora, too!)
: This may help clear up some questions about a recently found shipwreck in the Holland area. On August 8, I dove(with a good dive buddy) on the wreck formerly thought to be the long lost Chicora. We finally had some good visibility and I was able to get a better look at the guages in the engine room. They are pretty discolored, but plenty readable. There are three guages and a bell. The top guage is a pressure guage. Across the top of it reads" Ottawa Iron Works Company" written in script. There is a date on it, but I need more time to look at it. Across the bottom is written: "Ferrysburg, Michigan". The guage below it is a roman numeral clock. The guage to the left of it is a barometer. All the guages look to be from the same manufacturer. In looking for the manufacturer I found that the "Ottawa Iron Works Company" was operating from 1855 to 1887. We have found many other interesting features on this wreck if anyone is interested.