Latest

UASC Monthly Meeting:

Wednesday, May 25, 2011

Helix Building, 310 S. Racine Ave., 8th Floor, Chicago

Doors Open: 6:30 p.m.

Business Meeting: 7:00 p.m.

Presentation: 8:00 p.m.

"Shipwreck & Artifact Drawing Techniques"

* Tony Kiefer has volunteered to supply beverages for Wednesday. We are still looking for one or more members who can furnish snacks, deserts or other food items. If you can help out, please contact Dan Kasberger at: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Dear UASC member:

Plan to join fellow UASC members at the Wednesday, May 25, monthly meeting to find out what's happened recently and what's coming up next. Which shipwrecks sites are targeted for underwater sector scans in early June, our planned survey training day and social get together at Haigh Quarry, plans and preparations for the summer of 2011, and reports on other UASC activities will all enter the discussion.

This month, we are pleased to bring back Jack Scott, a veteran professional illustrator who has assisted on numerous archaeological finds here and abroad. He has shared his techniques and secrets for drawing shipwrecks and their artifacts through workshops, one of which he did for the UASC in 2003. While Jack may not make you a seasoned pro in one hour, he will demonstrate how anyone can become a better artist with surprising results. Listen to what he has to say and participate in a hands-on exercise. Bring along a clipboard and drawing tool (Jack suggests a no. 3 micron fine point pen, usually $2 at the local art supply store.), as a limited number of these will be provided at the meeting. Also bring one or more photos of a shipwreck site or artifact you would like to trace over.

The May 25th meeting begins at 6:30 p.m. with our usual social period before the 7:00 p.m. meeting start. We'll again meet in the 8th floor room at Helix, 310 S. Racine Ave. (SW corner of Jackson), Chicago.

I hope we see you this Wednesday evening.

Don Doherty, 2011 President

Underwater Archaeological Society of Chicago (UASC)

The Nautical Archaelogy Society in Northwestern Michigan is now offering the NAS 1 certificate in underwarter archaeology as an online course.

This is a great way to get some of the basic training in nautical archaeology without leaving the comfort of your own home.  The course is modular in format and you may complete it at your own pace. After completing all of the theory and passing the final exam they will arrange a time for you to do some practical training, either in Traverse City, Michigan or a location near you if several students are from the same area. 

You can sign up and pay online for this course at their online store. 

In our continuing effort to spread the word about the UASC to others, UASC members Jim Jarecki, Tony Kiefer and Gene Hasiak gave (or plan to give) talks to a scuba club and boating group. Jim and Tony visited the May 16 Chicago Scuba Meetup to give an extensive overview of Chicago shipwrecks and other underwater treasures.

Read more: Outreach Efforts Continue Through Group Presentations

Arrangements are underway to produce vivid, three-dimensional images of one or more wreck sites off our shores on June 1st and 2nd, using a high technology sector scanning system. UASC volunteers will be working with technicians from the Nautilus Marine Group (NMG), Lansing, Mich., to install and run the underwater scanners on multiple locations around as many sites as time permits. Besides archeology, NMG services support a wide variety of marine activities including navigational charting, channel maintenance, construction management, structural inspection, and pipeline routing.

Read more: Nautilus Marine Group and UASC to Conduct Shipwreck Sector Scans