Wreck In Wazee? Might Happen

[mrclean]

Wreck sunk in Wazee!!!

Last night the boat was sunk in Wazee.  The proposed resting place was Sherwood Forest, nearby the training platform.  However, due to boat landing conditions the boat needed to be dropped off the wrecker flatbed at the far boat landing and then towed across the lake to the mooring.  The boat immediately filled with water upon entering the water and sat very low in the water.  The Dive Unit used the Sheriff's boat/Dive Team Zodiac with a 50 horse motor to slowly, very slowly tow the boat across the lake.  We were all taking bets on it sinking in the middle as they slowly moved across the lake.  That would have been disappointing if that happened, especially since Channel 13 out of Eau Claire was there filming (expect a feature at 5:00 or 6:00 pm today).  But the boat finally made it to the mooring (concrete culvert that was moved into position two weeks ago).  As low as the boat sat in the water, it was still floating and we had already filled a bunch of sandbags to place in the holds to get the boat to sink.  We ferried approximately 3,000 pounds of sandbags and placed them evenly throughout the lower areas of the boat.  Then the two lift bags that were holding the boat up in the water, were slowly drained and the boat sank gently to the bottom landing totally upright on the sandy floor in 31 feet of water.

Exact location is about 50 yards beyond the training platform.  If you follow the Sherwood Forest berm to where it levels out, but not over the berm you will find it, especially if you keep the platform to your left.  Expect the wreck to be bouyed by the end of the week.

My thanks to Keith Cormican for taking the time and expense to make this happen and we now have something to dive on in Wazee.

A couple of us plan on diving on the boat this afternoon and I'll try to get some shots posted.  A word of note.  The ships wheel that was put into place is not the original ships wheel.  It is there for decorative purposes only and has no historic value whatsoever and we are hoping it stays where it belongs.

Again a successful operation and many thanks to all who made it happen.

Andy