This weekend a couple WUAA members were in Gills Rock, Door Co. WI to attempt an underwater survey beneath a rock art Pictograph panel. The conditions were not in our favor, so we instead located and mapped the shipwrecked schooner Sardinia (1856 - 1900) located in Hedgehog Harbor! Some locals also informed us that the anchor and rudder were recovered and displayed nearby. A productive expedition despite the circumstances. We will however return to the rock art site again this summer.
WUAA president Kevin M Cullen getting ready to locate the S/V Sardinia.
John Touscany assisting in mapping the remains of the Sardinia
This is what underwater Archaeology looks like!
The rudder attributed to the Sardinia
The anchor attributed to the Sardinia
The Meteor is a whaleback vessel and is the only whaleback that can be seen without diving. It is one of Superior’s three public museums and is located on Barker’s Island in Superior Wisconsin. Their other two museums are the Fairlawn Mansion, an authentically restored 1890 Victorian House, and the Firehouse, the last of Superior’s 19th century Fire Halls. This year’s Meteor spring work weekend is Saturday and Sunday, April 29th and 30th. WUAA started this yearly project in 2002. The Great Lakes Shipwreck Preservation Society has taken over for us and has expanded participation where there are now regularly 50 – 60 participants yearly. This project includes preservation work such as scraping and painting but if you’re not into scraping and painting you can do such things as setting the galley tables, dusting displays and making bunks in preparation for the opening of the tourism season. A complimentary lunch is provided on Saturday along with a meal Saturday evening and a lunch again Sunday noon. Last year’s Saturday’s evening meal was at the Fairlawn Mansion and we were also treated to a tour of the facility.
If you wish to see more pictures of past Meteor projects go to www.glsps.clubexpress.com click on 2015 or other year’s project reports and then S. S. Meteor Project.