Press Releases

June 22, 2010

Ann Arbor Hands-On Museum Offers Chance to Explore Shipwreck Montana in Live, Interactive Broadcast

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE — JUNE 22, 2010 — ANN ARBOR, MICH.

The Ann Arbor Hands-On Museum, in conjunction with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary, is hosting live broadcasts from the shipwreck of the Montana on July 14. The half hour “Live Dives” will be broadcast at 10am, 12:30pm and 3pm.

Descend to the bottom of Thunder Bay with the Sanctuary dive team for a chance to join underwater archaeologists exploring an historic shipwreck in Lake Huron. In addition to being broadcast live, the audience will have the chance to interact with the team as they investigate the site.

Cathy Green, an underwater archaeologist with Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary describes the experience as, “the best way to explore a Great Lakes shipwreck without getting your feet wet. This is an incredible opportunity to tag along as we investigate this underwater site. Allowing non-divers to virtually visit shipwrecks via live interactions is one way the sanctuary is working to increase access to remote and fragile historic sites.”

The Montana was a 235-foot wooden steam freighter that burned and sank in Lake Huron in 1914. The wreck lies in 70 feet of water and is well preserved due to the cold, fresh waters of the Great Lakes. One of the sanctuary’s most popular dive sites, the Montana’s lower hull is largely intact, as is the ship’s 3-story tall steam engine. The shipwreck also serves as an observation platform for the ecology of Lake Huron, allowing scientists to study aspects of Lakes health, aquatic invaders, and changing Lake conditions far below the waves.

Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary serves as steward for nearly 200 shipwrecks in and around the Bay, making it one of the country’s premier marine protected areas for submerged cultural resources. NOAA and the State Michigan jointly manage the Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary.

In addition to the Live Dive broadcasts, the Ann Arbor Hands-On Museum will offer related opportunities to learn more about Great Lakes and its resources. Hands-on activities will include using a microscope to observe tiny aquatic animals and investigating how artifacts from shipwrecks are conserved.

The shipwreck Live Dive broadcasts are free with Museum admission. For more information about the Ann Arbor Hands-On Museum, visit www.aahom.org or call 734.995.5439.

About the Ann Arbor Hands-On Museum

The Ann Arbor Hands-On Museum provides more than 250 interactive exhibits that spark the imagination. The Museum is a regional destination attracting over 200,000 visitors every year. The mission of the Museum is to inspire people to discover the wonder of science, math and technology. Visit www.aahom.org or call 734.995.5439 for more information.

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