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ESCANABA -- Dr. Richard Boyd of Delafield, Wis., will return to Escanaba as speaker at the Delta County Historical Society's 70th Annual Meeting on Wednesday, May 23, at Highland Golf Club. He will present "Remembering the Schooner ALVIN CLARK: A Project Before Its Time," an account of the successful recovery and restoration of a Civil War era schooner that sank near Green Bay (and, unhappily, of the failure to preserve the vessel).
In 1864 a tornado-like storm on Green Bay capsized and sank the 110-foot brigantine, ALVIN CLARK. The wreckage of the lost Civil War era schooner was discovered near Chambers Island in the fall of 1967, when commercial fishermen snagged the derelict in 115 feet of water. It was salvaged in '68 and raised in '69. The story was presented nationwide by the media as "The Mystery Ship at 19 Fathoms." Dr. Boyd, who is one of the few surviving divers involved in the project, will recount the entire adventure from discovery to its sad aftermath and discuss how and why the project both succeeded and failed, eventually establishing a template for future historical underwater archeological projects.
Dr. Boyd is a founding member of the Professional Association of Diving Instructors, and he has consulted on several History Channel productions and published dozens of articles on diving technology and maritime history.
Both members and non-members are welcome to attend the dinner meeting; however, reservations are required. There is a fee for the meeting and buffet dinner. Social hour begins at 5:30 p.m., dinner at 6 p.m., followed by a short meeting and the speaker. Call 906-786-0831 or 906-789-6790 with questions or for reservations.