New York Almanack

History, Natural History & the Arts

Diving

Climate Change & Lake Champlain’s Underwater History

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Chris Sabick dives the Lake Champlain shipwreck of the Phoenix, photograph by Kotaro Yamafune (courtesy Lake Champlain Maritime Museum)Lake Champlain Maritime Museum is dedicated to inspiring people to make personal connections to Lake Champlain through our region’s history, ecology, and archeology.

For the Museum’s archaeology team, this work of making connections includes conducting ongoing archeological research, on land and underwater; caring for our collection of artifacts and research; and managing Lake Champlain’s underwater cultural resources and the Lake Champlain Underwater Historic Preserves, a unique system of shipwrecks in the lake open for divers to explore each May–October.

The flooding and ongoing climate change are threats to our work, Lake Champlain, and the lake’s shipwrecks and other underwater cultural resources. [Read more…] about Climate Change & Lake Champlain’s Underwater History

New York’s Forgotten Aeronaut & Diver: William Warren Rulison

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St. Lawrence Republican August 16, 1882, Ogdensburg Fair AdvertisementWhen seventy-eight-year-old William Rulison passed away in August of 1931, the only newspaper in Upstate New York that carried the news was Cooperstown’s Otsego Farmer. In this obituary, he was noted only as a “pioneer in balloon flying in this part of the country,” and a man who went by the title of Professor. This report of his passing left much untold, and in the material that follows I hope to give a complete account of his full and varied life. [Read more…] about New York’s Forgotten Aeronaut & Diver: William Warren Rulison

1873 Schooner Barge Ironton Wreck Discovered in Lake Huron

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Ironton resting on the bottom of Lake Huron with its masts standing, rigging attached to the spars, and anchor still attached (courtesy NOAA- Undersea Vehicles Program UNCW)Researchers from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the state of Michigan, and Ocean Exploration Trust have discovered an intact wreck of the Ironton resting hundreds of feet below the surface of Lake Huron. [Read more…] about 1873 Schooner Barge Ironton Wreck Discovered in Lake Huron

Featured Recreation Area: The Sunken Fleet of 1758, Lake George

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Lake George shipwreckThe Adirondacks remain one of the most sought-after destinations for outdoor recreation. From hiking serene mountain passes to hitting the bike trails, it truly has something for everyone – even historic ship divers.

Lake George was the site of many pivotal engagements in the founding years of our nation, including the French and Indian War and the American Revolution. Evidence of its witness are but a stone’s throw from shore where Fort William Henry, in the cold, dark waters. [Read more…] about Featured Recreation Area: The Sunken Fleet of 1758, Lake George

1940s Tugboat, Barge Sunk For Artificial Reef

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45-foot steel tugboat Chickadee deployed to McAllister Grounds Reef courtesy DECNew York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) has announced the deployment of two steel vessels, the Chickadee on the McAllister Grounds Reef and Barge 226 on Smithtown Reef, as part of the State’s ongoing efforts to expand New York’s network of artificial reefs.

These final deployments for 2021 continue to build on DEC’s efforts to develop a stronger, more diverse marine ecosystem and provide shelter for fish and other marine life off New York’s shores. [Read more…] about 1940s Tugboat, Barge Sunk For Artificial Reef

The Barge ‘Shannon C’ Scuttled At Shinnecock Artificial Reef

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Shannon C barge being deployed on Shinnecock ReefNew York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) has announced it has deployed the steel barge Shannon C on the Shinnecock Reef as part of the State’s ongoing efforts to enrich New York’s network of artificial reefs.

The artificial reefs are an effort to develop a stronger, more diverse marine ecosystem that could provide better shelter for fish and other marine life off New York’s shores. [Read more…] about The Barge ‘Shannon C’ Scuttled At Shinnecock Artificial Reef

DEC Scuttles Vessel ‘Big Time’ to Enhance Fire Island Artificial Reef

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Big Time vessel added to Fire Island Artificial ReefDepartment of Environmental Conservation (DEC) has announced the intentional scuttling of the vessel Big Time on the Fire Island Reef as part of the State’s ongoing efforts to expand New York’s network of artificial reefs.

This effort is designed to develope a stronger, more diverse marine ecosystem and provide shelter for fish and other marine life off New York’s shores. [Read more…] about DEC Scuttles Vessel ‘Big Time’ to Enhance Fire Island Artificial Reef

Proposed National Marine Sanctuary Highlights Lake Ontario Maritime History

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proposed-lake-ontario-nms-alternative-1-mapThe National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has released a draft proposal for a national marine sanctuary in eastern Lake Ontario and the Thousand Islands region of the St. Lawrence River. The proposed sanctuary designation celebrates Upstate New York’s unique maritime heritage and provides a national stage for promoting the region’s tourism and recreational opportunities. [Read more…] about Proposed National Marine Sanctuary Highlights Lake Ontario Maritime History

Champlain Ferry ‘Adirondack’ Sinking Plan Stopped by Opposition

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Adirondack courtesy Lake Champlain CommitteeCiting opposition from environmental groups and the public, Lake Champlain Transportation Company and Vermont Division for Historic Preservation have announced the withdrawal of its application for a permit to sink the Adirondack, a retired ferry, in Lake Champlain. Instead of being abandoned underwater to create artificial interest for scuba divers, the vessel will be scrapped. [Read more…] about Champlain Ferry ‘Adirondack’ Sinking Plan Stopped by Opposition