One of the best-known shipwrecks in the Great Lakes, the Sandusky was built in 1848 and disappeared in the Straits of Mackinac during a gale on September 1856. Not until 1981 when Dr. Charles Feltner and crew discovered her. They unveiled a fully intact brig complete with dead eyes, blocks and all of the artifacts from a ship of that era. However, they were astonished to find a well-preserved figurehead nested between steel chains draped out to a fully intact bowsprit. This awesome sight has attracted divers to the Straits of Mackinac from all over the country.
Tragically, in an attempt to steal the figurehead vandals destroyed it in the summer of 1988. However, two divers decided to make a difference. One of them, Tony Gramer, was a member of the original discovery team and the other, Franz Estereicher, had never had an opportunity to dive the Sandusky before the figurehead was destroyed. Together, they obtained the necessary permits from the State and set out to create and install an accurate replica of the figurehead.

This compelling presentation begins with a tour of the shipwreck and shows the figurehead in her glory before she was destroyed. The audience experiences the tragedy, as the program seems to come to a close with a portrait of the bow, figurehead conspicuously absent. However, the plot begins anew with the two diving friends planning, building, and installing a chillingly accurate recreation of the figurehead. This story concludes leaving the audience felling uplifted and with renewed spirit.

The presentation is 23 minutes in length, and is a two-projector dissolve slide show with synchronized music and live narration.

The Waverly was built in Buffalo, New York in 1874 as a package freighter and converted to a bulk freighter in 1886. On an early summer morning in 1903 she was up bound on Lake Huron, burdened with two thousand tons of coal and towing the schooner Crossthwaite. That morning turned tragic as she collided with the Turret Court five miles south of Harbor Beach, Michigan.

With the Harbor Beach area being popular with divers and shipwreck hunters, the Waverly was somehow forgotten until discovered by Tony Gramer in 1994. Although working in reduced visibility the dive team discovered that the account of her sinking was mysteriously inconsistent with her condition on the bottom.
This 22 minute two-projector dissolve slide show is synchronized to music and employs live narration. Many of the underwater photographs have undergone digital computer enhancement, bringing out vivid detail, color, and contrast that would otherwise have been lost to the low visibility.

This mystery brig gave up its watery grave to Tony Gramer and Al Rosa on June 18, 1995. The location of this wreck took only five and a half hours of searching, but its exploration and filming posed much adversity and challenges for the crew of the “Rock ‘n Roll” for the next two years.

The brig was built pre 1850, with dimensions of 125’ x 25’, and is believed to have gone down before 1870. The vessel has two masts, a unique rope barrel steering wheel, is roped rigged, and has all the paraphernalia that a brig of that time period would have. The highlight of this shipwreck is the well-preserved figurehead that is nested beneath the bowsprit. After many dives, diver Russ Haeberle discovered a most unique artifact. A cast iron cover with scrollwork that weights 30 - 40 lbs. that once encased the figurehead.

The presentation is 25 minutes in length, and is a two-projector dissolve slide show with synchronized music and live narration.

The Sport was historically significant as she is regarded as the first steel hulled tug boat plying the Great Lakes. Built in 1873, she met her fate in 1920 after a long service on the Lakes. During a fierce storm on Lake Huron her crew struggled to keep her afloat. However, rising water eventually extinguished her fire. Loosing propulsion, she was doomed to a watery grave.

Even more remarkable, she was discovered in shallow water and has become one of the best shipwreck dives in the Great Lakes for an intermediate diver. The fully intact wreck is littered with small interesting artifacts and also includes the major attractions such as the ship’s wheel, steam whistle, and propeller. The engine room is a tight but easy penetration with daylight always in sight. A small wreck, she is virtually impossible to become lost on but divers often forget her small size, becoming enchanted in exploring her hundreds of small artifacts.

This 17 minute two-projector dissolve slide show is live narrated and employs synchronized music. While many Great Lakes presentations feature shipwrecks that are too deep or so secret that most divers will never have an opportunity to dive them, this show features a shipwreck that all divers can enjoy firsthand.

Enjoy the easy to dive wreck, which has many artifacts, lies on the bottom of Lake Huron
near Port Sanilac Mi. in 92 feet of water. Built in 1931, In Duluth Minn. Her original name was Quintus.

The mystery surrounding her fate on September 5, 1975 remains very controversial.
This 22 minute two-projector dissolve slide show is synchronized to music and employs live narration.

The 133-foot schooner Corsair met a heavy gale on Saturday, September 28, 1872 off Thunder Bay lighthouse. Heavily laded with iron ore below deck and another fifty tons on deck. The Corsair foundered off Sturgeon Point on Sunday, September 29, 1872. Two survivors of the crew of seven were left to tell the story.
Capt. Ed Ellison located the ill-fated schooner in the summer of 2001. In 2002 Tony Gramer and crew joined in the filming and documentation. Join Tony Gramer and crew as they explore the remains of the Corsair.
This 29 minute video show is synchronized to music and employs live narration.

Travel through time with Tony Gramer as he explores time capsules which we call shipwrecks. Discover the story behind why figureheads appear on ships from a by gone era. Encounter Great Lakes history at its best! This 22 minute video show is synchronized to music and employs live narration.

Travel through the Straits of Mackinaw, known as the gateway of the Great Lakes. The Straits of Mackinaw is the final resting place of approximately100 shipwrecks. Join Tony Gramer as he explores three of his favorite shipwrecks, the Maitland, Sandusky and Stalker. This 29 minute video show is synchronized to music and employs live narration.

The Philadelphia was built in Buffalo, NY in 1868 as a Package Freighter. At 2:00 am on the morning of November 7, 1893 the Philadelphia was up bound on Lake Huron loaded with coal and general merchandise. On that fatal morning in heavy fog the Philadelphia collided with the Steamer Albany, which sank both vessels. The Philadelphia lies approximately 5.5 miles Northeast of Point Aux Barques, MI. in 124 feet of water.

Join Tony Gramer and crew as they explore the remains of the Philadelphia in the thumb area of Lake Huron. This 29 minute video program is synchronized to music and employs live narration

The three mast schooner Dunderberg was built In Detroit in 1867. At 11:00PM on the evening of August 13, 1868 the Dunderberg carrying forty thousand bushels of grain when it was struck in the starboard side by the steamer Empire State. The Dunderberg sank in 10 minutes, the only lost of life was, female passenger that was throne off during the collision. The highlight of this shipwreck is the well preserved figurehead that is nested beneath the bowsprit.

Join Tony Gramer and crew as they explore the well intact shipwreck. This 29 minute video program is synchronized to music and employs live narration.

Memories of the Lakes is a two-projector slide collage focusing on the tragedy and triumph of Great Lakes shipping. This four minute program with synchronized music is an excellent opener as it imparts a mood of awe and anticipation. Music done by Pat Dailey local folk singer.

Legend of the Lakes is a video Program focusing on the tragedy and triumph of Great Lakes shipping. This four-minute program with synchronized music is an excellent opener or closing to any program. Music done by Pat Dailey local folk singer.

The 206 foot three-mast schooner John Shaw was built in 1885 in Bay City, Michigan. At 3:00 am on the morning of November 13, 1894 the John Shaw loaded with 1,759 tons of coal was being towed by the steamer John F. Eddy bound for Chicago. While crossing Saginaw Bay they met in a large gale and snow storm. The Shaw sprang a leak and broke her tow line from the Eddy; she foundered just off Greenbush Michigan in 128 feet of water. The Shaw was discovered in 2007 by John Gauthier while fishing.

Join Tony Gramer and crew as they explore the remains of the John Shaw. This 24 minute Video program is synchronized to music and employs live narration.

‘Loss of the Steamer Fred McBrier’

The 161 foot Steamer Fred McBrier was built in 1881 in West Bay City, MI. On the night of October 3, 1890 the down bound Fred McBrier with a load of iron ore and towing the barges A. Stewart and J.B. Lozen was squarely hit amidships by the up bound larger steamer Progress. Both steamers misunderstood signals as they past that night, the McBrier went down in just seven minutes; approximately 10 miles west from old Mackinaw point in Lake Michigan.

Join Tony Gramer and crew as they explore the remains of this beautiful shipwreck.
This 30 Minute HD Video Program is synchronized to music and employs live narration.