Carl D. Bradley shipwreck, hull break area, August 2009

Underwater video of the hull break area of the Carl D. Bradley shipwreck in north-central Lake Michigan, depth 375 feet. This was our first visit to this section of the shipwreck and we didn't know precisely what to expect, so I have to admit that the video does not provide optimum viewing angles, but it is a start. Next time I will do better! The water was a bit cloudy since this is right near the lake bottom, so it was difficult to get good shots from far away that would encompass both sections of the ship. This the first diver-captured video footage of this area and the most detailed footage so far of the break area. It provided much new information about the wreck and the sinking event. Enjoy!

[@scottfirman]

I know a guy I worked with that served on the great lakes. He told me in a storm, he was sent down to check the hull, when bolts broke off, they would fly like bullets across the hold as dangerous projectiles. The crew was expected to count broken bolts to determine the condition of the ship. If too many bolts were broken, a ship was held in Port and required to repair the damage. My Great Grandfather was a Coal stoker on the freighters . They were called smokers. I heard story's of the Bradley as to why it broke up. After hearing from someone working on the Great Lakes, You couldn't pay me to serve on one. Its a good job but hard work. Many guys that work them say they enjoy the work. Takes a special person to work on a freighter. These were awesome video's and put into perspective what it was really like working back then . Even today, storms are still a real risk for the freightors.

[@wirelessone2986]

I was told the Fitz was tack welded and that welds break.I also heard its safer to ride the bolts.

[@johngavin2570]

We couldn't pay you to serve on one, as if people do it for the hell of it and not for money. Bruh

[@bicknell67]

Do you think that is what happened to the Edmund Fitzgerald?

[@davidtucker3729]

never passed 125' on any dive I did. 375' is a long way down and decompression stops a must. Braver than i am. Thanks for going where few dare and letting us come along.

[@theshapeexists]

These divers make BIG BUCKS. Way braver than most men. Id be terrified down that deep.

[@laurierken]

Holy Christ that unloading boom was mangled, hatch covers tossed like playing cards, and the hull plating like tinfoil. Violent violent end to that ship. I am an advanced open water diver, that dive is way past me financially. Thanks for the video. I appreciate it.

[@michaelojeda8338]

At least the Bradley's stern section is nearby. When the Morrell sank in 1966 the bow went down instantly while the stern steamed onward for another five miles before it plunged into Huron's dark depths.

[@WilliTune]

Nice job, certainly no need to apologize. A diver myself (although this wreck is beyond my abilities), I can appreciate the obstacles, and even danger. Thank you for bring this video to us!

[@4JohnJ]

We have been doing 25-35 minute bottom times and the deco time runs around 90-140 minutes depending on our depth profile and PO2.

[@TeamPaidToDrive]

Incredible footage!

[@4JohnJ]

She was empty when she went down. The clay is really clay from the bottom of the lake. I have been to the bottom and stuck my hand in it.

[@danw6014]

I met a survivor from the Bradley. He wrote a book about the experience, and what an experience it was. I'll try to find the book and give the author's name.

[@Jackswild30]

Frank Mays. Met him on expedition 1995. Sadly, Mays passed in Jan.

[@danw6014]

@@Jackswild30 sorry to hear that.

[@danmanthe9335]

Seeing this video fills me with questions regarding the circumstances of the night it went down.

[@jeffmilroy9345]

Ore boat crew members supplied critical material to the nation and sailed under bonus-crazed captains. You would think naval architects would have given more thought to designing a bullet proof life raft to avoid paying out the additional millions in family settlements. With all that cargo-cover-plate square foot area spanning the length of the ship - Crew should have been able to scramble within seconds of an abandon ship command/alarm to tether themselves to a fore/aft accessible; self launching; positive buoyancy; self righting; safety red/orange colored exterior; maybe even equipped with an automatic gravity activated light/radio beacon. The crew does not have to completely abandon the ship or risk being swept overboard - just tether off to the lifeboat with a lifeline and use available time to don additional layers of foul weather gear.

[@windstorm1000]

some of the men had an extra five minutes or so to get off the ship- as it slowly sank--unlike the fitzgerald which had none--hence the reason why there were a few surivivors.

[@quietone2916]

Take a submersible down with lights and cover every inch of that ship bow to stern that would make some awesome footage

[@ryanprocunier8538]

I know. I can never tell exactly what I am looking at when it comes to ships under water.

[@pjmvdbroek]

Why would you offload your stages? In the event of a problem you would need to fetch them before attempting a safe ascent

[@hoyvin4099]

This was the one I always wanted to dive but never got trimix certified.

[@jaylenyoung2632]

My Great Great Granddad died on the Bradley and my Great uncle died on the Cederville

[@larrysproul9424]

Bless them both . I am from the straits area and remember these incidents well.

[@wirelessone2986]

Wow Jaylen..were they brothers?

[@67Jriles1]

@4JohnJ wow another GREAT! video!!

[@BennyBunghole-tk7ts]

So why is it acceptable to dive on the wreck of the Bradley, but not on the Fitzgerald?

[@231pilot]

Canada vs US waters.

[@dd1862]

The Fitzgerald is at a depth of 530 feet.

[@1USACitizen192]

USS screwed the survivor and families. Most storms are only a day or 2. GREED.

[@dknowles60]

Yes it was greed. The ship was safe and sound at USS steel but we're forced to.leave the hull was in very poor shape but USS steel would not fix it

[@jessicamagle2991]

I obviously never no him, but my Great cousin supposedly died on the ship. Rest in Peace.

[@tonyricebutwithahangover856]

What was his name?

[@jessicamagle2991]

@@tonyricebutwithahangover856 Okay, first off, I actually got the relation mixed it ^^; Turns out he was actually my Great x3 Uncle. Anyway; he was Douglas Bellmore, one of the porters. His sister, Laura, is my Great x3 Grandmother.

[@tonyricebutwithahangover856]

@@jessicamagle2991 that’s really cool, I have a book about the Bradley and it talks about some of the crew.

[@stantaylor3350]

The big Fitz, I worked 32 yrs & 46 weeks at the Tilden mine in Marquette county. One of the oilers in the concentrator plant was a Bellmore. Can't remember his first name. He told me once that he rode the boats for a couple of years before the mine called him to come & work there. This was in the 1990's & he had 30+ years in the mines, he told me at the time when he rode them but I've forgotten, must have been late 50's sometimes life's occupations run in family's, if dad rode the boats sometimes the son will also.

[@tonyricebutwithahangover856]

@@stantaylor3350 Douglas Bellmore went down on the Bradley. That may have been your coworkers father. He was a porter, and was 34 at the time of the sinking.

[@ricksadler797]

God bless those still aboard

[@luketdrifter2100]

Being telescoping hatches, its' not surprising they are gone.

[@bigskypeach406]

Im not sure if she was loaded when she broke up, but if she was, is it possible the white "clay" is actually her load of limestone?

[@wendygoerl9162]

Wasn't loaded. In ballast, going back for a last-minute order.

[@goodrichfarms8795]

@@wendygoerl9162 You are correct good sir. Frank Mays was under the deck smoking a cigar when he heard the loud pop and the Bradley broke in two.

[@jesseboombatts]

Something strange with this wreck, the Fitz submarined and hit the bottom much harder as she didn't have time to even yell mayday and yet this ship is in much worse condition.. Also the Fitz hit bottom at 500+ feet and the Carl is at 300+, the Fitz also had 26,000 tons of iron ore to propel her the extra 200 feet down mixed with the inertia of all that ore should show much more damage???

[@wendygoerl9162]

It's an older wreck (Fitz was in her first year then), and the Carl D was built before we understood how (and why) to minimize sulfur in our steel production. Also, the Carl D broke on the surface, while the Ftiz (PROBABLY) broke from the impact with the floor (in other words, she was mostly intact until she hit). Oh, yeah. And the Carl D was in ballast--You think it would be easier on them unloaded, but boats tend to get beat up more when they're running light.

[@JostVanWair]

@@wendygoerl9162 The Fitz most likely flooded alot due to flooding of the hatches and when a rogue wave hit him, he was forced down under

[@platypusone]

ALLVINN!!!!!!

[@daddyrabbit835]

and I thought my 30L pony tank was a pain in the butt...

[@herbertmichaels2841]

Doesnt seem like a smart hobby .mangled steel and wires 370 ft down in darkness....you should only go to safer sites

[@OpinionStatedAsFact]

You should really look up the definition of courage at some point. Clearly it's a new word for you.