A Brief History of Great Lakes A Brief History of Great Lakes Science ShipsScience Ships

Mike Quigley Mike Quigley NOAA Great Lakes Environmental NOAA Great Lakes Environmental

Research LaboratoryResearch LaboratoryAnn Arbor, MIAnn Arbor, MI

History of the U.S. Lake SurveyHistory of the U.S. Lake Survey

Based on information from Based on information from Charting the Charting the Inland Seas Inland Seas –– A History of the U.S. Lake A History of the U.S. Lake SurveySurvey by Arthur M. Woodford, 1991by Arthur M. Woodford, 1991

Additional History of Other Science Additional History of Other Science ShipsShips

Based on information from:Based on information from:BeetonBeeton, A.M and D.C Chandler, , A.M and D.C Chandler, The St. Lawrence Great The St. Lawrence Great LakesLakes, Ch 19, , Ch 19, Limnology in North AmericaLimnology in North America, 1966, D.G , 1966, D.G Frey, Ed.Frey, Ed.Fishing the Great Lakes 1783 Fishing the Great Lakes 1783 -- 19331933, , BogueBogue, M.B., 2000, M.B., 2000

U.S. Lake Survey U.S. Lake Survey -- TimelineTimeline1807 1807 –– President Thomas Jefferson establishes the Survey of President Thomas Jefferson establishes the Survey of

the Coast to support safe maritime commerce by surveying the Coast to support safe maritime commerce by surveying the coastline and seafloor and creating nautical charts for the coastline and seafloor and creating nautical charts for safe navigationsafe navigation

1841 1841 –– U.S. Lake Survey formed in Buffalo, NY to conduct U.S. Lake Survey formed in Buffalo, NY to conduct ““a a hydrographic survey of northern and northwestern lakeshydrographic survey of northern and northwestern lakes”” ––topographic surveys, hydrographic surveys, bottom areas topographic surveys, hydrographic surveys, bottom areas of rivers, harbors and coastal waters (using 6of rivers, harbors and coastal waters (using 6--oared oared cutters)cutters)

1842 1842 -- Captain William G Williams requests $10K for Captain William G Williams requests $10K for construction of iron steamer for survey workconstruction of iron steamer for survey work

U.S. Lake Survey U.S. Lake Survey -- TimelineTimeline1843 1843 –– U.S.L.S.U.S.L.S. AbertAbert christened at Buffalochristened at Buffalo’’s Ohio Street s Ohio Street

shipyard, sea trialsshipyard, sea trialsAbertAbert specs specs –– ¼”¼” steel plate, 97 ft long, 18.5 ft beam, 8ft steel plate, 97 ft long, 18.5 ft beam, 8ft

depth, 3.5 ft draft, (2) 25 hp high pressure steam engines, depth, 3.5 ft draft, (2) 25 hp high pressure steam engines, (2) submerged horizontal paddle wheels(2) submerged horizontal paddle wheels

1844 1844 –– extensive reextensive re--fitting of fitting of AbertAbert, re, re--named named Surveyor Surveyor conducts western Lake Erie surveyconducts western Lake Erie survey

Operating Cost estimate for Operating Cost estimate for AbertAbert 1844 Field 1844 Field SeasonSeason

U.S. Lake Survey U.S. Lake Survey -- TimelineTimeline1845 1845 -- U.S. Lake Survey Office moves from Buffalo to U.S. Lake Survey Office moves from Buffalo to

Detroit, MichiganDetroit, Michigan1854 1854 –– Second survey ship requested Second survey ship requested –– built in Philadelphia built in Philadelphia

Navy Yard, the steamer Navy Yard, the steamer SearchSearch was launched in spring was launched in spring 1856 1856 –– 143 ft long, 21 ft beam, depth 8.5 ft, 105 ton 143 ft long, 21 ft beam, depth 8.5 ft, 105 ton displacementdisplacement

1857 1857 –– Captain George Gordon Meade takes command of Captain George Gordon Meade takes command of Lake SurveyLake Survey

1857 1857 –– 1859 1859 –– Completion of Lake Huron surveyCompletion of Lake Huron survey1861 1861 –– Captain Meade transfers to Washington, DC Captain Meade transfers to Washington, DC

U.S. Lake Survey U.S. Lake Survey -- TimelineTimeline1864 1864 –– Three vessels in operation Three vessels in operation SurveyorSurveyor, , SearchSearch, and schooner , and schooner

CoquetteCoquette (leased at $200/month). (leased at $200/month). CoquetteCoquette runs aground near runs aground near Washington Island, Green Bay and is abandonedWashington Island, Green Bay and is abandoned

1865 1865 –– Lake Survey acquires new vessel Lake Survey acquires new vessel -- ironiron--hulled propeller hulled propeller AdaAda built built in 1863 on Clyde River, Scotland was captured by Union forces asin 1863 on Clyde River, Scotland was captured by Union forces asConfederate blockade runner Confederate blockade runner –– 125 ft long, 18 ft beam, 9.5 ft depth125 ft long, 18 ft beam, 9.5 ft depth

1897 1897 –– Great Lakes Water Levels Study begins Great Lakes Water Levels Study begins –– six vessels acquired for six vessels acquired for project project –– steamer, 2 steam tugs and 3 catamaranssteamer, 2 steam tugs and 3 catamarans

Steamer Steamer SearchSearch built 1896 as yacht, steel hull, 158 ft long, 18 ft beam, built 1896 as yacht, steel hull, 158 ft long, 18 ft beam, depth 10 ft, 200 tons displacement, triple expansion engine, sindepth 10 ft, 200 tons displacement, triple expansion engine, single gle screw propscrew prop

Tugs Tugs –– Steamer No. 1Steamer No. 1 –– 70 ft long, 13 ft beam, 6.5 ft depth 48 ton 70 ft long, 13 ft beam, 6.5 ft depth 48 ton displacement; displacement; Steamer No. 2Steamer No. 2 –– 58 ft long, 12.5 ft beam, 4 ft depth, 16 58 ft long, 12.5 ft beam, 4 ft depth, 16 tons displacementtons displacement

CatamaransCatamarans –– 30 ft x 5 ft30 ft x 5 ft

U.S. Lake Survey U.S. Lake Survey -- TimelineTimeline

1902 1902 General WilliamsGeneral Williams –– converted tug acquired from COE converted tug acquired from COE Grand Rapids District, built in Manistee 1884, 125 ft Grand Rapids District, built in Manistee 1884, 125 ft long,19.3 ft beam, 12 ft depth, 295 ton displacementlong,19.3 ft beam, 12 ft depth, 295 ton displacementLorain L.Lorain L. –– purchased from G.T Arnold, Mackinac Island, purchased from G.T Arnold, Mackinac Island, built 1891 in South Haven as freighter converted to built 1891 in South Haven as freighter converted to passenger steamer , renamed passenger steamer , renamed SurveyorSurveyor –– 98 ft long,98 ft long, 20 ft 20 ft beam, 8.4 ft depth, 176 ton displacementbeam, 8.4 ft depth, 176 ton displacement

1905 1905 –– General WilliamsGeneral Williams renamed renamed Col. J.L LuskCol. J.L Lusk

U.S. Lake Survey U.S. Lake Survey -- TimelineTimeline

1918 1918 –– Lake survey acquires minesweeper Lake survey acquires minesweeper BautzenBautzen, , renamed renamed PearyPeary

U.S. Lake Survey U.S. Lake Survey -- TimelineTimeline

1920 1920 –– Lake Survey purchases 175Lake Survey purchases 175--ton ton MargaretMargaret, 140 ft , 140 ft long,18 ft beam, 10.5 ft depthlong,18 ft beam, 10.5 ft depth

1920 1920 –– Fire severely damages Fire severely damages Steamers No.1Steamers No.1 and and No.2No.2 and and they are sold for scrap they are sold for scrap

1921 1921 –– LuskLusk and and SurveyorSurveyor dede--commissioned leaving only commissioned leaving only MargareMargaret, t, SearchSearch and 4 motor launchesand 4 motor launches

1926 1926 –– MargaretMargaret broached and grounded in severe storm on broached and grounded in severe storm on Saginaw Bay, later repaired and readied for 1927 field Saginaw Bay, later repaired and readied for 1927 field season season

U.S. Lake Survey U.S. Lake Survey -- TimelineTimeline1935 1935 –– RevisoryRevisory survey needs prompt purchase of new survey needs prompt purchase of new

survey boat survey boat HaskellHaskell , 40 ft long 10 ft beam, 5 ft depth, 13 , 40 ft long 10 ft beam, 5 ft depth, 13 ton displacementton displacement

1937 1937 –– PearyPeary outfitted with new sonar echooutfitted with new sonar echo--sounding gear for sounding gear for use in locating shipwrecks and other underwater hazardsuse in locating shipwrecks and other underwater hazards

1947 1947 –– PearyPeary sold and later sank in Atlantic in 1961 while in sold and later sank in Atlantic in 1961 while in use as cargo ship. use as cargo ship. PearyPeary replaced by diesel tug from Army replaced by diesel tug from Army Transportation Corps, named Transportation Corps, named WilliamsWilliams, twin, twin--diesel diesel powered, top speed 16 knots, 143 ft long, 33 ft beam, 17 ft powered, top speed 16 knots, 143 ft long, 33 ft beam, 17 ft depth, 505 tons displacementdepth, 505 tons displacementTwo small boats added Two small boats added F.G RayF.G Ray and and M.S. MacDiarmidM.S. MacDiarmidboth built by Electric Boat Co., Bayonne, NJboth built by Electric Boat Co., Bayonne, NJ

U.S. Lake Survey U.S. Lake Survey -- TimelineTimelineF.G. RayF.G. Ray –– 60 ft long, 14.5 ft beam, 4 ft depth, 35 ton displacement, 60 ft long, 14.5 ft beam, 4 ft depth, 35 ton displacement,

wooden hull, two diesels, top speed 16 mphwooden hull, two diesels, top speed 16 mphMacDiarmidMacDiarmid –– 45 ft long, 12 ft beam, 6 ft depth, 20 ton displacement, twin 45 ft long, 12 ft beam, 6 ft depth, 20 ton displacement, twin

diesels, wooden hulldiesels, wooden hullRayRay sold 1953, sold 1953, MacDiarmidMacDiarmid sold 1959sold 19591961 1961 –– WilliamsWilliams sold to Seaway development as buoy tender, then sold to Seaway development as buoy tender, then

transferred to NY District and sold to Pakistantransferred to NY District and sold to Pakistan1962 1962 –– Lake Survey Research Division established to conduct freshLake Survey Research Division established to conduct fresh--water water

oceanography on Great Lakesoceanography on Great Lakes

Begin use of new survey boat Begin use of new survey boat Johnson Johnson 25 tons, 45 ft long,18 ft 25 tons, 45 ft long,18 ft beam,3.5 ft depth, catamaranbeam,3.5 ft depth, catamaran--type construction, originally powered by type construction, originally powered by dual hydrodual hydro--jets, but difficult to control and in 1970 hull refitted to 50 fjets, but difficult to control and in 1970 hull refitted to 50 ft t and reand re--fitted with standard propulsion enginesfitted with standard propulsion engines

U.S. Lake Survey U.S. Lake Survey -- TimelineTimeline1964 1964 –– Lake Survey acquires Lake Survey acquires R/V R/V ShenehonShenehon from Army from Army

Transportation Corps, 65.5 ft long 18 ft beam,9 ft depth, Transportation Corps, 65.5 ft long 18 ft beam,9 ft depth, 125 ton displacement, 270 hp diesel, top speed 12 mph 125 ton displacement, 270 hp diesel, top speed 12 mph (named in honor of Francis C. (named in honor of Francis C. ShenehonShenehon,,Chief Civilian Engineer of Lake Survey from 1906 Chief Civilian Engineer of Lake Survey from 1906 –– 1909 1909 and inventor of long wire sweep)and inventor of long wire sweep)

1967 1967 –– Acquired new survey vessel Acquired new survey vessel LaidlyLaidly built by built by PaaschPaaschMarine Service of Erie, PA, 54 ft long, 14 ft beam,Marine Service of Erie, PA, 54 ft long, 14 ft beam,depth 3.75 ft, 20 ton displacement, twin GM diesels, alldepth 3.75 ft, 20 ton displacement, twin GM diesels, all--welded steel hull, top speed 26 mph welded steel hull, top speed 26 mph

U.S. Lake Survey U.S. Lake Survey -- TimelineTimeline1970 1970 –– Nixon White House announces Reorganization Plan No.4 of 1970 Nixon White House announces Reorganization Plan No.4 of 1970

establishing NOAA. On October 3, 1970 the Lake Survey was reestablishing NOAA. On October 3, 1970 the Lake Survey was re--designated the Lake Survey Center and officially transferred to designated the Lake Survey Center and officially transferred to NOAA, NOAA, becoming part of the National Ocean Survey, the former Coast andbecoming part of the National Ocean Survey, the former Coast andGeodetic SurveyGeodetic SurveyCertain Lake survey elements remained with COE Certain Lake survey elements remained with COE –– lake regulation lake regulation and hydraulic branches of the Engineering Division transferred tand hydraulic branches of the Engineering Division transferred to o Detroit District COEDetroit District COE

1974 1974 –– April, NOAA Great Lakes Environmental Research Laboratory April, NOAA Great Lakes Environmental Research Laboratory (GLERL) takes over Lake Survey limnology and research operations(GLERL) takes over Lake Survey limnology and research operations. .

1976 1976 –– June 30June 30thth Lake Survey closes.Lake Survey closes.

Early Great Lakes HistoryEarly Great Lakes History1583 1583 –– Jacques Cartier sails up St. Lawrence River to Quebec City and Jacques Cartier sails up St. Lawrence River to Quebec City and

MontrealMontreal1608 1608 –– Samuel de Champlain forms city of QuebecSamuel de Champlain forms city of Quebec1615 1615 –– Champlain and Brule explore Lake Huron and Georgian BayChamplain and Brule explore Lake Huron and Georgian Bay1622 1622 –– Brule and Grenoble reach Lake SuperiorBrule and Grenoble reach Lake Superior1634 1634 –– Jean Nicolet reaches Lake MichiganJean Nicolet reaches Lake Michigan

1679 1679 –– ReneRene--Robert Robert CavelierCavelier SieurSieur de La Sallede La Salle’’s ship, s ship, Le Le GriffonGriffon built in a Niagara River shipyard sails Lakes Erie, built in a Niagara River shipyard sails Lakes Erie, Huron and Michigan then disappears on September 18, Huron and Michigan then disappears on September 18, 1679 on Lake Michigan1679 on Lake Michigan

Early Great Lakes Science EffortsEarly Great Lakes Science Efforts

1848 1848 –– Louis Agassiz and 15 fellow scientists depart Sault Louis Agassiz and 15 fellow scientists depart Sault Ste. Marie on first scientific expedition on Great Lakes with Ste. Marie on first scientific expedition on Great Lakes with mission to study natural history of north shore of Lake mission to study natural history of north shore of Lake Superior ( 1 Mackinaw boat and 2 canoes)Superior ( 1 Mackinaw boat and 2 canoes)

Early Great Lakes Science EffortsEarly Great Lakes Science Efforts

1871 1871 –– J. J. W.MilnerW.Milner’’ss two cruises on Lake Michigan supported two cruises on Lake Michigan supported by revenue vessel by revenue vessel JohnsonJohnson which served as platform for which served as platform for dredging and trawlingdredging and trawling

1893 1893 –– Jacob Jacob ReighardReighard conducts study of Lake St. Clair conducts study of Lake St. Clair biology for Michigan Fish Commissionbiology for Michigan Fish Commission

1898 1898 –– 1902 1902 ReighardReighard study of western Lake Eriestudy of western Lake Erie1928 1928 --1929 Eastern and Central Lake Erie studies1929 Eastern and Central Lake Erie studies

Support by 85 ft steamer Support by 85 ft steamer ShearwaterShearwater

Early Great Lakes Science EffortsEarly Great Lakes Science Efforts

1930 1930 –– 1932 Major fishery1932 Major fishery--limnology study on Lake Michigan limnology study on Lake Michigan supported by Bureau of Commercial Fisheries vessel supported by Bureau of Commercial Fisheries vessel FulmaFulmarr

Information on Other Vessels?Information on Other Vessels?

Please let me knowPlease let me know

Mike QuigleyMike QuigleyMichael.A.Quigley@noaa.govMichael.A.Quigley@noaa.gov

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