Two MN Divers make Lk Michigan History

I rarely post to any of the diving forums, but I have to express my thanks to the people that helped us.

A lot of detail was cut from the article and unfortunately, the names of others that were integral to this work were not published. I have no control over the writing or editing of any newspaper.

The following people were critical to our success.

Alan Williams-underwater videography and assistance with underwater operations. Alan is an amazing diver. I have learned a great deal by just watching him dive and his incredible ability with a camera is self evident. Alan did the same dives as us but without a suit heater, so he's one tuff dude if you ask me.

Greg Such-Charter Captain and surface support/shallow diving support. Greg worked harder than all of us shuttling equipment around, dealing with lines, stage bottles, the boat and getting knocked around by the waves while we were diving.

Doug Bell-Shallow/surface support, shuttling equipment back and fourth. Doug did some heroic diving in high waves and strong current to get the mooring attached to the boat and get equpiment in place on the line for us. John and I were amazed by his perfomance in the rotten conditions we sometimes had and if he hadn't been there, I don't think we could have done it.

Will Phillips-Shallow/surface support, shuttling equipment back and fourth. Will is also a Physician, which was nice to have on board in case we needed him for that. Will really worked hard and was critical to getting the memorial bell in place.

Zach Demorest-Diver from 2006 where bell removal planning and initial work began. Zach is a good friend and a rock solid diver. He is the diver swimming past the Bradley's huge rudder in the 2006 video.

Regardless of what the newspaper says, this was a team effort.

I grew up in Rogers City and had relatives die on the Bradley, my grandfather was supposed to be on it when it went down and have mixed feelings about the bell retrieval. Many people in town will be glad to have it at the museum though. I will still go down and see her some day in person for sure and it will be kinda cool to see the memorial bell there. Great feat for the divers though, nice job.

I am sorry about your loss and consequental mixed feelings, but it should offer some relief to know that the effort was put it to replace the bell with a substitute rather than just pillaging the site. I hope that you make the dive one day!

Rob (Vidodivr),
I can assure you the bell project was undertaken with the upmost respect & reverance for the lost crewmen. All other dive plans were on hold until the new bell was in place and the entire team was more stressed about doing it correctly than the logistics of the dive itself! Great care was taken to replicate the original and leave a permanant memorial. The last sight I remember as we started our ascent was looking back to the Bradley's pilot house (a rare look outside the camera monitor!) and seeing the bell blasting a golden light over what had been a dark & forbiding environment! Here is a photo of the both bells but you need to see the memorial for yourself (underwater) to fully appreciate the sight. I can't help but believe the crew and families would approve.
Sincerely,
Alan

This was a very classy act of service. You should be proud of your envolvement.