M&P+4
May 24th, 2007, 10:56 PM
I wasn't sure where to put this but I thought it might interest some folks.
Wazee Sports Center LLC will be hosting the Carl D. Bradley by John Janzen,
Date: June 2nd.
Time: 6:30
Place: Wazee Sports Center
What to bring: Chair and your beverage
On 18 November 1958, the Carl D. Bradley steamed desperately across upper Lake Michigan. Gale force winds, forging 45-foot (14 m) waves, pounded and twisted her mercilessly. Receiving last-minute orders to make a run to Rogers City Michigan for a load of crushed limestone, this was to be the final trip of the season before dry-dock and needed repairs. Recently involved in a collision and a couple of minor groundings, she was tired from years of hard service. Her captain had described her as “a bit ripe” and he was anxious to get her to the repair yard.
Late that afternoon, Frank Mays, the Deck Watchman, stared in horror as the huge Bradley shuttered violently, buckled amid ship and broke in two. The First Mate, Elmer Fleming, hailed a quick mayday, dropped the radiophone and evacuated the bridge. Moments later, as a mountainous wave pitched the bow section, Frank and Elmer were hurled from the ship, deep into the dark, freezing water. Miraculously, they surfaced near the bow life raft, which had been dislodged by the rogue wave. Of her 35-man crew, only Mays and Fleming were rescued, but nearly frozen to death after 15 hours aboard the frequently overturning raft. The conditions were so bad that when the Coast Guard cutter Sundew returned from her search and rescue operation, one of her crew exclaimed that he had “been to hell”.
This great tragedy was devastating to the residents of Rogers City Michigan, where most of the Bradley’s crew resided. Even today, nearly fifty years after the ship’s loss, her memory is vivid and the grief remains strong in Rogers City.
The Bradley came to rest upright, 380 feet (116 m) below the surface. At 623 feet in length (190 m), she is the second largest shipwreck in all of the Great Lakes (only the mighty Fitz is larger) and being one of the deepest, few divers have visited her. John Janzen and John Scoles with Captain Greg Such/Shipwreck Adventures were the first to reach the Bradley’s stern and have completed more dives than anyone on this magnificent ship. Their first dives were featured in Advanced Diver Magazine and received a front-page story in the Saint Paul Pioneer Press. Join us for an evening of discussion about the dives and equipment, the condition of the Bradley and the yet unsolved mysteries that surround her. The presentation includes video from the 2006 expedition, showing both the bow and stern sections of the wreck. If you are into shipwrecks, this video will astound you, so do not miss this rare opportunity to see it!
Wazee Sports Center LLC will be hosting the Carl D. Bradley by John Janzen,
Date: June 2nd.
Time: 6:30
Place: Wazee Sports Center
What to bring: Chair and your beverage
On 18 November 1958, the Carl D. Bradley steamed desperately across upper Lake Michigan. Gale force winds, forging 45-foot (14 m) waves, pounded and twisted her mercilessly. Receiving last-minute orders to make a run to Rogers City Michigan for a load of crushed limestone, this was to be the final trip of the season before dry-dock and needed repairs. Recently involved in a collision and a couple of minor groundings, she was tired from years of hard service. Her captain had described her as “a bit ripe” and he was anxious to get her to the repair yard.
Late that afternoon, Frank Mays, the Deck Watchman, stared in horror as the huge Bradley shuttered violently, buckled amid ship and broke in two. The First Mate, Elmer Fleming, hailed a quick mayday, dropped the radiophone and evacuated the bridge. Moments later, as a mountainous wave pitched the bow section, Frank and Elmer were hurled from the ship, deep into the dark, freezing water. Miraculously, they surfaced near the bow life raft, which had been dislodged by the rogue wave. Of her 35-man crew, only Mays and Fleming were rescued, but nearly frozen to death after 15 hours aboard the frequently overturning raft. The conditions were so bad that when the Coast Guard cutter Sundew returned from her search and rescue operation, one of her crew exclaimed that he had “been to hell”.
This great tragedy was devastating to the residents of Rogers City Michigan, where most of the Bradley’s crew resided. Even today, nearly fifty years after the ship’s loss, her memory is vivid and the grief remains strong in Rogers City.
The Bradley came to rest upright, 380 feet (116 m) below the surface. At 623 feet in length (190 m), she is the second largest shipwreck in all of the Great Lakes (only the mighty Fitz is larger) and being one of the deepest, few divers have visited her. John Janzen and John Scoles with Captain Greg Such/Shipwreck Adventures were the first to reach the Bradley’s stern and have completed more dives than anyone on this magnificent ship. Their first dives were featured in Advanced Diver Magazine and received a front-page story in the Saint Paul Pioneer Press. Join us for an evening of discussion about the dives and equipment, the condition of the Bradley and the yet unsolved mysteries that surround her. The presentation includes video from the 2006 expedition, showing both the bow and stern sections of the wreck. If you are into shipwrecks, this video will astound you, so do not miss this rare opportunity to see it!