The Morning Journal (Lorain, OH)
History of Great Lakes shipwrecks shared
Members of Heritage Avon Lake took guests deep into the depths of Great Lakes history with shipwreck diving and its findings.
Heritage Avon Lake, HAL, members and shipwreck divers Mike and Georgann Wachter shared their stories and knowledge of the many shipwrecks that occurred in all five of the Great Lakes with the public Nov. 13 at Avon Lake Public Library at 32649 Electric Blvd.
According to the couple, who are Avon Lake residents, they have done shipwreck diving since 1972. What started to be a trip in the Mediterranean became a lifelong hobby.
Mike Wachter said when the two first began their journey with diving, they would keep a journal and register all shipwrecks they would find.
As the journal progressed, he said their copies of photos would grow as well as stories from all events.
After gaining much knowledge on shipwrecks and adding more information to their journal, Wachter said a friend suggested they should create a book with all of the facts they do have.
And after a little over a year of more searching and planning, the couple published their first book, Erie Wrecks West, in the late 1990s and wrote five more as well as producing over 100 programs on shipwrecks in the Great Lakes, he said.
Now that the couple has obtained additional knowledge on shipwrecks, not only of their findings, but many in the past, they have started to share that information with the rest of the
world.
During the presentation, Mike said they cover an overview of the shipwrecks in Lake Erie and all of the Great Lakes starting from the War of 1812 to a shipwreck nearby in 1999.
“In our presentations, we speak and share stories about every ship (28) known to go down into Lake Erie,” Wachter said. “We don’t exactly find the treasures that everyone thinks we do with shipwrecks (diamonds and pearls), but the real treasures
we find are the stories behind them.”
Georgann Wachter, whom also dives with her husband, said their presentations are an overview of their books.
Most of the wrecks were found researching in the Great Lakes history, found by them personally or by many other divers they know, she said.
“If you find a wreck, it’s like a time capsule,” Georgann Wachter said. “You have to identify them and figure out how old they are with what’s left of the ship.
“You can tell by what they’ve carried or simply with a plate that’s left on the boat.”
In their beginning of their journey of shipwreck diving, the Wachters could keep many artifacts from the wrecks.
Today, however, divers are not allowed to take anything where a shipwreck may be, Georgann Wachter said.
With the couple’s appreciation for wrecks, they have presented what they know and share their stories everywhere, she said. They usually share at places like museums, libraries, festivals and more.
Vice President of HAL Sherry Spenzer said this is the first time the Wachters have presented for the organization — which normally always have their events at the Avon Lake Public Library.
“Once I knew (the Wachters) after they joined HAL, I needed them to share their stories with everyone,” Spenzer said. “HAL is devoted to history, researching, preserving and perpetuating the history of Avon Lake.
“This presentation in particular is one that relates to Avon Lake’s history because many of the shipwrecks they have found or researched, were found in this area of Avon Lake.”