I grew up in Manitowoc Wisconsin on Lake Michigan's shoreline, well known for it's maritime history and shipbuilding. (Including WWII Naval Ships and Submarines) I still remember my mother taking me down to "the shipyards" (early 60's) to watch the huge ships side launch into the river while trying to catch a glimpse of my father who worked there. It always amazed me that these huge ships were able to right themselves after sliding and rolling sideways into the water.

Years later as a teenager I would go fishing at the lighthouse railing and gaze out to an approximate location where a shipwreck "should" lie based on what I've heard and read. Commercial fisherman would often lose their nets on these sunken ships or snag a piece of wreckage. Many of these pieces still lie around town. Rudder's, mast's, windlass' , ships wheel, even a mechanical drone used here for target practice during WWII. While the fisherman were cursing these wrecks, I found them more exciting and mysterious than the Hardy Boys!