By James Heinz
In my previous article about the suspicious sinking of the steamer LAKELAND on December 3, 1924, I mentioned that the Lake Michigan Classic Diving Organization would be conducting a commemoration dive for the LAKELAND using classic hard hat and hose diving gear. And, on August 16, 2025, they did just that.
The divers were using the classic hard hat helmet and hose diving gear. I described the difficulties in using this kind of equipment in a previous story: https://wmhs.org/how-i-relived-my-youth-on-the-bottom-of-lake-michigan/
In a concession to modernity, LMCDO president Trevor Pinkalla used modern SCUBA equipment to check out the bottom of the Lake at the dock of the Door County Maritime Museum in Sturgeon Bay WI prior to dive activities.
SCUBA DIVER DIVING OFF DOCK
In a concession to the 1920’s era that the divers were trying to recreate, some of the LMCDO members wore 1920s style clothing.
TWO MEN IN 1920s CLOTHING
Bill told me: “We used AJMS four light commercial #1769 made in 1911 and AJMS #3 air pump serial number 866 built in 1904.” “Light” is a classic diving equipment term that means “window” or “viewport.”
DIVING GEAR LAID OUT ON DOCK
From the diver’s point of view, the most critical example was the use of a vintage hand operated air pump. According to Bill Pelky of LMCDO/DESCO, who rebuilt the pump, it was easy for anyone to crank the pump and maintain a steady rhythm.
TWO WOMEN USING THE PUMP
Three divers were dressed by their helpers while seated.
PHOTO AT TOP OF PAGE: SHOWING DIVER SEATED
The divers were then helped to the dive ladder and they descended into the murky depths of Sturgeon Bay.
DIVER DESCENDING
Everything was going well and a good time was being had by all until The Mother of All Rain Events started after about 90 minutes of diving activity, flooding streets and basements throughout Wisconsin and further dives had to be cancelled.
Photos by James Heinz
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James Heinz is the Wisconsin Marine Historical Society’s acquisitions director. He became interested in maritime history as a kid watching Jacques Cousteau’s adventures on TV. He was a Great Lakes wreck diver until three episodes of the bends forced him to retire from diving. He was a University of Wisconsin – Milwaukee police officer for thirty years. He regularly flies either a Cessna 152 or 172.
