9 June 2005 Iris, Jackson Harbor
(June 09, 2005)
The last day of mapping began with one group mapping in the shoreline and the small island adjacent to the wreck with the total station survey system. Reference points were taken at the wreck’s bow and stern so the wreck map could later be added to the larger area map. Other team members mapped in pieces of the debris field between the wreck and the shore and completed inking the site plan.
The site is mapped into the surrounding area
Kimm works the stadia rod to map in the wreck
Reporter Bob Toerpe from the Washington Island Observer visited the site today, getting a tour of the site and learning about documentation methods used by the team as well as the site’s history.
Russ Lietz gives Bob Toerpe a tour of the site
Keith Meverden describes to Bob Toerpe of the Washington Island Observer how important vessels like the
Iris once were to Washington Island
After all maps were completed and no additional data was needed, everyone returned to the site to remove the baseline, cross lines, and stakes, leaving the site exactly as it was found. The team took part of the afternoon to tour the Jackson Harbor Fishing Museum and the Jacobsen Museum, learning about local maritime and cultural history.
Drawing the area's site map
Christa completes the final inking while Paul dries the ink
In the afternoon Keith spoke with local commercial fisherman Jacob Ellefson, who’s family has owned the adjacent property since 1907. Jacob told an interesting story of how the Iris came to be at Jackson Harbor. The owner of the Iris was trying to sell her as she was very old and no longer the most sea worthy of vessels. A local gentleman told the captain he would buy her for $10, however, he was unable to find the money to purchase the Iris. The captain, unable to find a buyer with money, sailed the Iris into the mouth of Jackson Harbor, set all sail, and then sailed as fast as he could, running her hard aground next to Ellefson’s pier and abandoned her. On the official documents, however, she is listed as having “foundered”.
Jacob Ellefson's family has fished from Jackson Harbor since 1907
WHS photos by Tamara Thomsen
