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Apr
15
Written by:
news editor
4/15/2009 1:00 AM
04/14/09 The search for a sunken historic boat at Punderson State Park will take place on April 18 and the public is invited.
Search Scheduled for Sunken Historic Boat at Punderson Lake
Boat that Sank in 1948 Will be Added to New Water Trail
NEWBURY, OH - The search for a sunken historic boat at Punderson State Park will take place on April 18 and the public is invited. Officials from the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Division of Parks and Recreation and the Division of Watercraft will use depth finding equipment and possibly sonar in an attempt to locate the boat.
The hunt for the boat will begin at 1 p.m. Saturday, April 18 and the public is invited to watch. The effort is sponsored by the park in an attempt to add another stop on the park's new water trail that currently features nine attractions. If the site is found, a diver from the Friends of Punderson, a nonprofit park support organization, will take a closer look and photograph the remains of the wreck.
The boat, a historic house boat that featured six bedrooms, plied the waters of Punderson Lake from the early 1900s to the mid-1940s. It sunk in 1948 and it is not known if the sinking happened as the boat was being towed to another location or if it was done on purpose.
Punderson Lake had been in private ownership until the State of Ohio bought the property in 1948 and started creating what is now Punderson State Park. The boat was used at first by the owners of the property in the early years of the 20th century and in the 1930s as part of a summer camp that was operated at the lake.
"We see the search for the boat as both a historical endeavor and, if it is found, an addition to our new water trail," said Nick Fischbach, regional park manager at Punderson State Park. "Boaters interested in following the trail can pick up a brochure at the park that includes information on nine stops on the lake and explanations of what can be seen from each site."
If found, the boat will not be raised and divers will not be permitted to salvage any property from it. The boat will be left undisturbed as a historical site. More information on the history of the park as well as a photo of the boat can be found at www.punderson.com.
For people interested in staying at the park it features a 31-room resort lodge as well as 26 fully furnished two-bedroom cottages (for reservations call 1-800-AT-A-PARK) and campers can stay at the194-site (189 sites with electricity) campground (for reservations call 1-866-OHIOPARKS).
ODNR ensures a balance between wise use and protection of our natural resources for the benefit of all. Visit the ODNR web site at www.ohiodnr.com.
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For further information, contact:
Norm Swann, Punderson State Park
440. 564. 2279
Beth Ruth, ODNR Media Relations
614. 265. 6860
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