WUAA Port Washington Survey

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This project has been approved for a few years and we will make it a priority for this season.  Wisconsin Underwater Archeology Association (WUAA) member Roland Chaloupka has identified several targets of interest off Port Washington that we will record both with sidescan sonar and ROV.  We may bring multiple vessels and split the targets between two teams, which would allow for more participation.  Dates are to be decided.  Roland Chaloupka is the Principal Investigator.  Contact him if interested at: rwchaloupka@gmail.com.  We are shooting for May for this project.  Not fee or registration is required if seats are available, but we don’t anticipate having extra room at this time.

WUAA Milwaukee River Phase II

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This project was approved by the Wisconsin Underwater Archeology Association (WUAA) board as a continuation of our 2025 project which located the remains of the steamer L.W. Crane.  The project is slated for May of 2026 and will involve remote sensing with sidescan sonar to locate possible historic cultural remains outside of last year’s search area.  We will specifically be focusing on the area closer to Lake Winnebago in hope of locating remains from the steamer Berlin City.  If time and conditions allow, we may also revisit some of the targets acquired last year for further vetting and possible ROV survey.  This project has limited opportunities for member participation due to vessel size constraints.  We will be accompanied by a WHS staff archeologist.  We are currently planning to go out on a weekday during the week of May 11th or 18th and may have an extra seat.  Email Brendon Baillod at baillod@gmail.com if interested.  No registration or fee is required, provided a seat is available.

WUAA Fox River Survey Phase II

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The Wisconsin Underwater Archeology Association (WUAA) board approved this project as a continuation of our 2025 project which located the remains of the steamer L.W. Crane.  The project is slated for May of 2026 and will involve remote sensing with sidescan sonar to locate possible historic cultural remains outside of last year’s search area.  We will specifically be focusing on the area closer to Lake Winnebago in hope of locating remains from the steamer Berlin City.  If time and conditions allow, we may also revisit some of the targets acquired last year for further vetting and possible ROV survey.  This project has limited opportunities for member participation due to vessel size constraints.  We will be accompanied by a WHS staff archeologist.  We are currently planning to go out on a weekday during the week of May 11th or 18th and may have an extra seat.  Email Brendon Baillod at baillod@gmail.com if interested.  No registration or fee is required, provided a seat is available.

WUAA Milwaukee Tugs Survey

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The Wisconsin Underwater Archeology Association (WUAA) board approved two projects to examine small tugs in 25 - 40 ft of water near Milwaukee Harbor.  John Tindall will be the Principal Investigator.  This will be an in-water diving project and will involve documenting the wrecksites through underwater survey techniques including running a baseline, trilateration and drawing to scale.  Divers must document recent dive experience, have DAN insurance and document that they are medically able to participate.  Dives will be conducted from the LenDer captain by Jerry Guyer.  Fieldwork dates will be weather dependent and will be coordinated by John and Jerry.  The project is still in planning and we are currently working with the State Maritime Archeology Program to prioritize the most valuable site to begin with.  If you are interested in participating in this project, please contact John Tindall at: john.tindall@protonmail.com or Rich Laiacona at: richlaiacona@gmail.com.

WUAA Schooner Plymouth Project

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The Wisconsin Underwater Archeology Association (WUAA) will once again be conducting a public citizen science shipwreck search.  This year's target is the big schooner Plymouth that was lost in the great storm of 1913.  She was last seen when left at anchor in the lee of Little Gull Island off the Door Peninsula.  We will once again be chartering Friends of Plum & Pilot Islands' vessel The Shoreline to conduct the search and will be departing out of Jackson Harbor on Washington Island.  Registrants must register for EITHER Friday, 6/26 OR Saturday, 6/27.  All Friday participants must arrive before 6PM on Thursday the 25th via the Washington Island Ferry. Registrants for Saturday must arrive before 6PM on Friday the 26th via the Washington Island Ferry.  Registrants who cannot book their own accommodations are welcome to lodge with WUAA at private residence, but should expect to bring a blowup mattress, sleeping bag and possibly a tent.  All participants must depart by 10AM Sunday the 28th.  Participants are responsible for booking their own passage on the Washington Island Ferry, which is currently $46 for one adult and one vehicle.  Registration is $125 per person per day, with a limit of one day per person in order to maximize participant opportunities. We recommend staying the full weekend, as Washington Island has many other recreational opportunities.  For more about the Plymouth, see: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plymouth_(schooner_barge)

Registration will be posted on May 15th on the WUAA website and will be first come, first served.  Those wishing more information should contact WUAA Project and Fieldwork Chairperson Emily Roth at: e.annroth@gmail.com.  For other Washington Island accommodations, see:

https://washingtonisland.com/accommodations/. To see the Washington Island Ferry schedule, see:

https://wisferry.com/washington-island/.