Milwaukee report

[underwateraddict]

Well two things happened yesterday.  Work slowed down and the waves dropped.  I have been needing to dive to test the repairs to my dry suit and the new backup computer.  I slipped out of work early on a last minute notice and decided to head for the lake.  The waves were 3.6 on the mid-lake buoy when I left work with a forecast of 1-2 as the evening wore on.  When I got there the winds had changed from SE to W and the lake was almost flat calm with a remnant of SE waves so I set course for the Milwaukee.  On the way up I noticed the Neeskay and the mysterious buoy by Atwater and they had dive operations underway.  I did find and internet article about what they are up to.  The water did not look good as I approached the dive site.  It was greener than normal.  There was no current at there was an extra 20 feet of rope on the surface of the only mooring (amidships).  I could not see the submerged float when tying up.  The water was cold but once I hit 60 feet I could see the bottom and a large piece of the wreck.  I was still over the wreck and I could see the wheel house.  I went to the wheel house and set down on the bottom in front of it to test the depth alarms on the new computer.  I was using the scooter and lifted off from the bottom.  The thrust of the scooter made a huge silt cloud.  I headed off forward of the wheel house as I could see debris further out.  There is some railing and stuff further out.  I was not worried about getting lost as the cloud I left behind could be easily seen and once I got to the limit of barely being able to see it I began to circle forward of the wreck.  I also had the sonar homing system on and while I still don’t trust it I should be able to get back in this high visibility.  The Milwaukee was an impressive sight when the bow came into view as I circled back.  I drove the length of the wreck and coasted under the fantail to see the propellers then I set down on the bottom off of the starboard stern and then I saw something really unusual.  On the bottom at 118 feet in depth I could see the spot where the sun was and waves on the surface…wow!  I remember diving this wreck in the 80’s and having a hard time seeing my fins.