Out of the Olentangy
Metal disk dredged from river inspires jokes about its origin
Work crews dredging the Olentangy River in August had gathered tires, rusted metal and assorted garbage when their equipment felt a solid “thunk.”
A backhoe operator wrestled with the 880-pound object before watching in awe as it emerged from the river just north of Mingo Park in Delaware.
The discovery quickly inspired theories: military equipment, amusement park ride, UFO?
“Hey @NASA if you’re missing an Apollo capsule, it overshot the ocean and splashed down in our Olentangy River,” the city tweeted along with pictures of the operation.
The concave disk bore a striking resemblance to the heat shield of the famed rocket capsules that descended from space into Earth’s atmosphere in a fiery re-entry.
Lee Yoakum, city spokesman, said the likely explanation is more earthly.
Years ago, Whitesands Campground had a water park and events at a small lake just east of the river.
“It appears that might have been some kind of water feature that broke free of its moorings and sank,” Yoakum said.
The disk was taken for “analysis” and eventual salvage at Sims Brothers recycling center.
The value: $17.68, said Yoakum, laughing.
“We have asked them to set it aside, just in case White Sands wants it back.” The Twitter postings continue: “The plug from the bottom of Delaware Lake,” said one.
“Put it back,” said another, building on the plug theory. “2020 has seen enough. We don’t need prehistoric creatures oozing out of the Olentangy.”
And this: “It's definitely the Olentangy plug. Now that you’ve pulled it up, the river will drain. Nice going.” Finally.
“It’'s mine,” said another. “Blew off in the wind while I was riding my bike.” dnarciso@dispatch.com @Deannarciso