Anyone Dive the Madeira?

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Maxheadspace - 05 Jul 2006 00:14 GMT

Will be in Minnesota the last two weeks of July and was thinking of diving
on the wreck Madeira near Duluth. Anyone dive that ship before? Anything I
need to know about the dive before I get there? Are there any charter
operations out of that area? I know the water's cold, but can I get by with
a wetsuit?

Many thanks in advance!

Max.

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John Hanson - 05 Jul 2006 02:04 GMT

>Will be in Minnesota the last two weeks of July and was thinking of diving
>on the wreck Madeira near Duluth. Anyone dive that ship before? Anything I
>need to know about the dive before I get there? Are there any charter
>operations out of that area? I know the water's cold, but can I get by with
>a wetsuit?

No, but I will be diving it on July 22 and 23. At least two local
dive shops are diving the North Shore that weekend, and probably more.
July and August are prime time to dive the North Shore because the
water is the warmest at that time of year. I've been told a two piece
farmer John is fine for the Madeira at that time of year. But, most
everyone has a drysuit up here and that is the suit of choice for Lake
Superior. I currently don't have one and you should take everything I
say with a grain of salt as I'm a newbie divers. But, Lake Superior
is one of the main reasons I got into diving (that and Florida) so
I've been educating myself about it.

There are charters also but most want AOW and at least 5-10 cold water
dives logged. The Maderia is only about 150-200 yards from shore and
is located at the Split Rock Lighthouse.

http://www.superiordivers.com/Charter%20Schedules%20Policies.htm (see
bottom of page and then check out the rest of their site).
http://www.glsps.org/Madeira_access_information.htm
http://www.mnhs.org/places/nationalregister/shipwrecks/index.html
http://northlanddivers.com/pages/1143349
http://www.stcscuba.com/MainFunDives.htm
http://www.mnhs.org/places/nationalregister/shipwrecks/map.html

>Many thanks in advance!

You're welcome.

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Popeye - 05 Jul 2006 04:45 GMT

>>Will be in Minnesota the last two weeks of July and was thinking of diving
>>on the wreck Madeira near Duluth. Anyone dive that ship before? Anything
[quoted text clipped - 30 lines]
>>
> You're welcome.

We're getting him trained up.

Excellent post.

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ben bradlee - 05 Jul 2006 03:44 GMT

> Will be in Minnesota the last two weeks of July and was thinking of diving
> on the wreck Madeira near Duluth. Anyone dive that ship before? Anything
> I need to know about the dive before I get there? Are there any charter
> operations out of that area? I know the water's cold, but can I get by
> with a wetsuit?

John Hanson answered your questions fine. There are other wrecks along the
shore of Lake Superior that you can dive from shore in addition to the
Madeira. Water temperature varies quite a bit; it could be warm or cold
depending on the current and depth. The links John gave you were good. You
may want to try out Square Lake, Wazee Lake, or the Crosby Mine while you
are in Minnesota. All are easy drives from the Twin Cities.

http://www.co.washington.mn.us/info_for_residents/parks_division/parks_and_trail
s/square_lake_park/
http://www.goingunder.net/eventscrosby.htm
http://www.co.jackson.wi.us/html/forestry/scuba.htm

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Maxheadspace - 06 Jul 2006 04:15 GMT

Thanks for the replies to all!

Ben, what are the other wrecks you refer to? I've done enough quarries that
they don't have much attraction for me, although I do have tentative plans
to dive Wazee. Would appreciate if you could point out other wrecks.

Thanks much!

Max.

>> Will be in Minnesota the last two weeks of July and was thinking of
>> diving on the wreck Madeira near Duluth. Anyone dive that ship before?
[quoted text clipped - 12 lines]
> http://www.goingunder.net/eventscrosby.htm
> http://www.co.jackson.wi.us/html/forestry/scuba.htm

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ben bradlee - 06 Jul 2006 13:16 GMT

> What are the other wrecks you refer to?

Near Duluth and the immediate North Shore:
Pitz, Mayflower, City of Winnipeg, Thomas Wilson, Onoko, Benjamin Noble,
Niagra, Harriet B, Samuel P. Ely, Lafayette, Belle P. Gross, Criss Grover,
Hesper.

http://www.mnhs.org/places/nationalregister/shipwrecks/mpdf/wrecks.html

You need to research each wreck. Finding access to the water within
swimming distance of the wreck can be a problem. Finding the wreck after
you get in the water may also be a problem. Diving in or near Duluth you
might notice reduced visibility due to river runoff.

Consider buying a "Lake Superior Dive Chart". This map shows 30 Canadian
and 137 US territory wreck locations on Lake Superior. Each location is
marked on the water and referenced to the body of the chart where a brief
description of the wreck or wrecks is given. (There are also many good
books on the subject but the map is cheap and immediately useable.) The
south shore of Lake Superior has enough wrecks to hold the enthusiasts
interest for many years and there are still shipwrecks waiting to be
discovered. Isle Royale and vicinity are harder to get to and you'll need
more time, 3 to 4 days, for diving there.

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