blobbottlebob
Well-Known Member
On Tuesday, I went to one of my favorite dive spots over the years - Pewaukee Lake. I have over 500 tanks in there. I have pulled out a lot of stuff but I never found anything like this.
Earlier in the year, I lost access to my entry area. Years ago, I signed a waiver releasing the local association from any liability over what might happen to me diving. I assumed every risk in the waiver. Unfortunately, they buy insurance and their agent advised them not to let anyone use their access. So, I was recently asked not to go there anymore.
On Tuesday then, I went to a restaurant's overflow parking area. I used to do that, but the area is now a little picked over so, it is hard to find anything there. But it works as access to the water - you just have to swim out away to find anything. So, I suited up and crossed the road with all my gear on. I walked into the water which is getting cooler now. Once I figured that I was far enough, I began to scour the bottom for bottles. I could tell that I was in a good area as I was finding old shoes, broken drinking glasses, and household debris. I was not however, finding any bottles. I weaved in from shallow to deeper - in and out relative to the shore. I was prying boards out of the mucky bottom (then feeling around for bottles that were wedged between and around them). This creates a mucky cloud about me as I stir things up (not unlike pig-pen from the Peanuts cartoons). I had some wood pieces in my hand that I was moving when I noticed a flash of bright brass. I looked and realized that there was a brass tag on the wood. At first, I thought that it was just resting there and that it was a freak chance that it did not fall off the boards when I pulled it out. Then, I noticed that it was nailed on one side.
Right away, I thought that this was pretty cool. When I got to the surface to check it out, I realized that it was locally made. The brass has stamped into it EASTERN / BOAT BUILDING CO. / PEWAUKEE, WIS. I have never heard of a Pewaukee boat builder (from long ago). This is a great piece of local history!
Earlier in the year, I lost access to my entry area. Years ago, I signed a waiver releasing the local association from any liability over what might happen to me diving. I assumed every risk in the waiver. Unfortunately, they buy insurance and their agent advised them not to let anyone use their access. So, I was recently asked not to go there anymore.
On Tuesday then, I went to a restaurant's overflow parking area. I used to do that, but the area is now a little picked over so, it is hard to find anything there. But it works as access to the water - you just have to swim out away to find anything. So, I suited up and crossed the road with all my gear on. I walked into the water which is getting cooler now. Once I figured that I was far enough, I began to scour the bottom for bottles. I could tell that I was in a good area as I was finding old shoes, broken drinking glasses, and household debris. I was not however, finding any bottles. I weaved in from shallow to deeper - in and out relative to the shore. I was prying boards out of the mucky bottom (then feeling around for bottles that were wedged between and around them). This creates a mucky cloud about me as I stir things up (not unlike pig-pen from the Peanuts cartoons). I had some wood pieces in my hand that I was moving when I noticed a flash of bright brass. I looked and realized that there was a brass tag on the wood. At first, I thought that it was just resting there and that it was a freak chance that it did not fall off the boards when I pulled it out. Then, I noticed that it was nailed on one side.
Right away, I thought that this was pretty cool. When I got to the surface to check it out, I realized that it was locally made. The brass has stamped into it EASTERN / BOAT BUILDING CO. / PEWAUKEE, WIS. I have never heard of a Pewaukee boat builder (from long ago). This is a great piece of local history!
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