Mission Plan
Mission Plan

Education
Education

Thunder Bay
Thunder Bay

Shipwreck Vignettes
Shipwreck Vignettes

Sonar and AUV Technology
Sonar and AUV Technology

launching an AUV
Launching an AUV

Recovering an AUV
Recovering an AUV

Explorers
Explorers

Information

 

 

Photo & Video Log

This page contains photos and videos taken during the "Thunder Bay 2010: Cutting Edge Technology and the Hunt for Lake Huron’s Lost Ships" exploration taking place between August 16-27, 2010. Click on any image to view a larger version and for additional information. If a movie camera icon camera icon is present, a QuickTime video can be viewed by clicking on the image. Other video formats are available on the linked pages. If a Podcast icon Podcast Icon is present, a video or audio file is available for download or you can subscribe to the RSS Podcast Feed. NOAA Podcast RSS 2.0 Feed

If a slideshow icon slideshow icon is present, a visual log of exploration images can be viewed. You can scroll through them one by one, or select the play button for an automatic slideshow.

(HR) = "High Resolution" images available.

camera icon Video & Slideshows

A short video of the AUV submerging.

camera icon Launching an AUV
A short video of the AUV submerging.

A short video of the AUV recovering.

camera icon Recovering an AUV
A short video of the AUV recovering.

 

 

 

 

Images

These piles dot the northern half of Thunder Bay near Alpena. Each circle is roughly 15m in diameter and some contain lumps of coal.

Mission Summary
These piles dot the northern half of Thunder Bay near Alpena. Each circle is roughly 15m in diameter and some contain lumps of coal.

In the northern half of Thunder Bay there are numerous 'tracks' appearing similar to anchor drags, but they are often 17m wide.

Mission Summary
In the northern half of Thunder Bay there are numerous 'tracks' appearing similar to anchor drags, but they are often 17m wide.

The bottom in this area has a brush-stroke appearance that might be glacial scrapings and brighter lines that may be drag marks.

Mission Summary
The bottom in this area has a brush-stroke appearance that might be glacial scrapings and brighter lines that may be drag marks.

For safety considerations, the AUV was reprogrammed swim back into to the protected waters of Thunder Bay.

Mission Summary
For safety considerations, the AUV was reprogrammed swim back into to the protected waters of Thunder Bay.

A very simple and effective technique to transport the AUV to the marina and launch it was to use a standard boat trailer.

Mission Summary
A very simple and effective technique to transport the AUV to the marina and launch it was to use a standard boat trailer.

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Thunder Bay 2010 Expedition team with the ATLAS before it is disassembled.

August 27 Log
The Thunder Bay 2010 Expedition team with the ATLAS before it is disassembled. (HR)

The ATLAS in the water while the team prepares to attach it to the crane during the last recovery of the mission.

August 27 Log
The ATLAS in the water while the team prepares to attach it to the crane during the last recovery of the mission. (HR)

Clinton attempts to shuffle cards in between ATLAS waypoints.

August 27 Log
Clinton attempts to shuffle cards in between ATLAS waypoints. (HR)

A helicopter film crew records the launch of the ATLAS while the research team on the R/V Storm photographs the excitement through the windows.

August 27 Log
A helicopter film crew records the launch of the ATLAS while the research team on the R/V Storm photographs the excitement. (HR)

The 40 Mile Point lighthouse was named because of its location — 40 miles southeast of Mackinac Island and 40 northwest of Thunder Bay.

August 23 Log
The 40 Mile Point lighthouse was named because of its location — 40 miles southeast of Mackinac Island, 40 northwest of Thunder Bay. (HR)

Here you can see remains of a shipwreck — the J.S. Fay — that washed up on the beach in front of the 40 Mile Point lighthouse in 1905.

August 23 Log
Here you can see remains of the J.S. Fay — which washed up on the beach in front of the 40 Mile Point lighthouse in 1905. (HR)

The Old Presque Isle lighthouse was completed in 1840, but was replaced by the New Presque Isle lighthouse 31 years later.

August 23 Log
The Old Presque Isle lighthouse was completed in 1840, but was replaced by the New Presque Isle lighthouse 31 years later. (HR)

While surveying near Thunder Bay Island, we were able to catch a glimpse of the lighthouse.

August 23 Log
While surveying near Thunder Bay Island, we were able to catch a glimpse of the lighthouse. (HR)

The Alpena Breakwater Light at sunrise as the ATLAS team leaves the harbor to begin surveys.

August 23 Log
The Alpena Breakwater Light at sunrise as the ATLAS team leaves the harbor to begin surveys. (HR)

 

 

 

Maritime archeologists document the Montana, a wreck that is also in the area that the ATLAS imaged during this expedition.

August 22 Log
Maritime archeologists document the Montana, a wreck in the area that the ATLAS imaged during this expedition. (HR)

Maritime archeologists explore the F.T. Barney wreck using SCUBA.

August 22 Log
Maritime archeologists explore the F.T. Barney wreck using SCUBA. (HR)

A Canadian cargo ship as seen from the R/V Storm.

August 22 Log
A Canadian cargo ship as seen from the R/V Storm. (HR)

 

 

The team in between ATLAS check ins on the R/V Storm.

August 20 Log
The team in between ATLAS check ins on the R/V Storm. (HR)

During a night time recovery, Jonathan Hartje remotely navigates the ATLAS towards the research vessel.

August 20 Log
During a night time recovery, Jonathan Hartje remotely navigates the ATLAS towards the research vessel. (HR)

The city of Alpena as we departed the harbor shortly after sunrise.

August 20 Log
The city of Alpena as we departed the harbor shortly after sunrise. (HR)

The ATLAS resurfacing in the dark at the end of a mission.

August 20 Log
The ATLAS resurfacing in the dark at the end of a mission. (HR)

This image shows the shipwreck Gilbert as imaged from the ATLAS. The lighter area is closer to the AUV.

August 19 Log
This image shows the shipwreck Gilbert as imaged from the ATLAS. The lighter area is closer to the AUV. (HR)

Scientists are still not sure what to make of this image, however it’s been showing up fairly consistently in the data so far.

August 19 Log
Scientists are still not sure what to make of this image, however it’s been showing up fairly consistently in the data so far. (HR)

Here, there’s a change in bottom depth that the ATLAS picked up and you can see a geological feature that is similar to a plateau.

August 19 Log
Here, there’s a change in bottom depth that the ATLAS picked up and you can see a geological feature that is similar to a plateau. (HR)

Mark Story has been spending the last few days learning more about Lake Huron and refining the data collected by ATLAS.

August 19 Log
Mark Story has been spending the last few days learning more about Lake Huron and refining the data collected by ATLAS. (HR)

The University of Texas team launches the ATLAS around 11:30am and it will be in the water for nearly 12 hours.

August 18 Log
The University of Texas team launches the ATLAS around 11:30am and it will be in the water for nearly 12 hours. (HR)

Russ Green operates the crane that is used to launch and recover the ATLAS.

August 18 Log
Russ Green operates the crane that is used to launch and recover the ATLAS. (HR)

Clinton Johnson takes a sound velocity profile using a device that records temperature at multiple points as it sinks to the bottom.

August 18 Log
Clinton Johnson takes a sound velocity profile using a device that records temperature as it sinks to the bottom. (HR)

A lovely sunset over Lake Huron while waiting for the ATLAS to finish surveying.

August 18 Log
A lovely sunset over Lake Huron while waiting for the ATLAS to finish surveying. (HR)

Step 1—The team loads the AUV on a boat trailer in order to transport the 500-pounds that will then be loaded on the R/V Storm.

August 17 Log
Step 1—The team loads the AUV on a boat trailer in order to transport the 500-pounds that will then be loaded on the R/V Storm.

Step 2—The ATLAS had never been launched from a boat trailer before, so it was a new process for everyone involved.

August 17 Log
Step 2—The ATLAS had never been launched from a boat trailer before, so it was a new process for everyone involved. (HR)

Step 3—After guiding the ATLAS off the trailer, they detached the rope and used a remote to guide it over to the research vessel.

August 17 Log
Step 3—After guiding the ATLAS off the trailer, they detached the rope and used a remote to guide it over to the vessel. (HR)

Step 4—Using the crane attached to the R/V Storm, the AUV was lifted onto the boat, similar to how it would be recovered on a mission.

August 17 Log
Step 4—Using the crane attached to the R/V Storm, the AUV was lifted onto the boat. (HR)

The work area where the AUV was unpackaged and assembled, provided by NOAA’s Thunder Bay Sanctuary.

August 16 Log
The work area where the AUV was unpackaged and assembled, provided by NOAA’s Thunder Bay Sanctuary. (HR)

The ARL:UT team inspects one of the shipping pallets containing cases of equipment.

August 16 Log
The ARL:UT team inspects one of the shipping pallets containing cases of equipment. (HR)

The vehicle electronics section and sonar computers section of the AUV are assembled and inspected.

August 16 Log
The vehicle electronics section and sonar computers section of the AUV are assembled and inspected. (HR)

Once each component is assembled, the AUV sections are joined together.

August 16 Log
Once each component is assembled, the AUV sections are joined together. (HR)

The team runs tests on the electronic and mechanical components of the completed AUV.

August 16 Log
The team runs tests on the electronic and mechanical components of the completed AUV. (HR)

 

 

 

 

 

 

A view of the AUV just before lowering it into the water. It is about 20 feet above the water.

Launching an AUV
A view of the AUV just before lowering it into the water. It is about 20 feet above the water.

The AUV is under remote control, swimming a safe distance from the ship.

Launching an AUV
The AUV is under remote control, swimming a safe distance from the ship.

The AUV is now autonomous and is beginning to submerge.

Launching an AUV
The AUV is now autonomous and is beginning to submerge.

 

 

The ATLAS AUV free-swimming underwater vehicle, which is 1 ft in diameter and 10 ft long.

Sonar and AUV Technology
The ATLAS AUV free-swimming underwater vehicle, which is 1 ft in diameter and 10 ft long.

Side-view of the AUV with the ATLAS sonar.

Sonar and AUV Technology
Side-view of the AUV with the ATLAS sonar.

The ATLAS sonar is designed with a long detection and consequently a wide swath width.

Sonar and AUV Technology
The ATLAS sonar is designed with a long detection and consequently a wide swath width.

The data from wide-sector forward looking sonars, such as ATLAS, shows significant overlap from ping to ping.

Sonar and AUV Technology
The data from wide-sector forward looking sonars, such as ATLAS, shows significant overlap from ping to ping.

Single ping from the ATLAS forward-looking sonar shows the 200o sector with distinct small discrete objects, bottom features, T-shaped pier, and the shoreline.

Sonar and AUV Technology
Single ping from the ATLAS sonar shows the 200o sector with distinct small objects, bottom features, pier, and the shoreline.

 

 

 

 

The steamer R. G. Coburn, lost in an October 1871 gale with the loss of as many as thirty-two passengers and crew.

Shipwreck Vignettes
The steamer R. G. Coburn, lost in an October 1871 gale with the loss of as many as thirty-two passengers and crew.

The popular passenger steamer Thousand Islander, lost under tow in 1928.

Shipwreck Vignettes
The popular passenger steamer Thousand Islander, lost under tow in 1928.

The early bulk freighter Egyptian. This vessel was one of the earliest predecessors of the 1,000 foot long freighters plying the Lakes today.

Shipwreck Vignettes
The early bulk freighter Egyptian.

The steamer Franz (formerly the Uranus), lost in over 200 feet of water in 1934.

Shipwreck Vignettes
The steamer Franz (formerly the Uranus), lost in over 200 feet of water in 1934.

The steamer Gilbert and the shore-side infrastructure that kept her cargo hold full of bulk freight

Shipwreck Vignettes
The steamer Gilbert and the shore-side infrastructure that kept her cargo hold full of bulk freight.

 

 

 

 

The remains of the 1840s sidewheel steamer New Orleans, one of the oldest known wrecks in the sanctuary,

Thunder Bay
The remains of the 1840s sidewheel steamer New Orleans, one of the oldest known wrecks in the sanctuary.

The schooner American Union.

Thunder Bay
The schooner American Union.

The 300-foot long bulk freighter Norman, which sank in 1895.

Thunder Bay
The 300-foot long bulk freighter Norman, which sank in 1895.

The 300-foot long bulk freighter Norman, which sank in 1895.

Thunder Bay
The 300-foot long bulk freighter Norman, which sank in 1895.

The Great Lakes Maritime Heritage Center is the headquarters for the Thunder Bay NMS.

Thunder Bay
The Great Lakes Maritime Heritage Center is the headquarters for the Thunder Bay NMS.

The Great Lakes Maritime Heritage Center is the headquarters for the Thunder Bay NMS.

Thunder Bay
The Great Lakes Maritime Heritage Center is the headquarters for the Thunder Bay NMS.

 

 

Archaeologists document the wreck of the schooner Defiance resting in 185 feet of water just north of the sanctuary.

Mission Plan
Archaeologists document the wreck of the schooner Defiance resting in 185 feet of water just north of the sanctuary.

A photomosaic of the schooner Defiance, sunk in 1854.

Mission Plan
A photomosaic of the schooner Defiance, sunk in 1854.

 

 

 

The team hopes to find shipwrecks in similar states of preservation as the one pictured in the background here- the 300-foot long bulk freighter Norman.

Mission Intro
The team hopes to find shipwrecks in similar states of preservation as the one pictured in the background here- the 300-foot long bulk freighter Norman.

The team will look first for historic shipwrecks searching within the historic shipping lanes.

Mission Intro
The team will look first for historic shipwrecks searching within the historic shipping lanes.

The bow of the 300-foot long bulk freighter Norman, located in 200 feet of water in northern Lake Huron.

Mission Intro
The bow of the 300-foot long bulk freighter Norman, located in 200 feet of water in northern Lake Huron.

 

(top)

 

Sign up for the Ocean Explorer E-mail Update List.