Northern Mich~Mash Preserve
~ LITTLE TRAVERSE BAY CRUCIFIX ~
The design and compilation of the text and photos on this site are copyrighted 2017.
Most posted items will enlarge by "clicking" on them.
Most posted items will enlarge by "clicking" on them.
Please do not copy the photos on this site, many of which have been submitted by private individuals...
just come back and visit the site often to view the photos.
~ 1962 ~
The one ton life-size marble statue of Christ on the Cross
was laid to rest in 65 feet of water in Little Traverse Bay, Petoskey, Michigan.
The Little Traverse Bay Area is very proud of its monument,
so the monument is cleaned and maintained annually by many divers from near and far.
Annual public viewings are planned each year (dependent on conditions)...
The one ton life-size marble statue of Christ on the Cross
was laid to rest in 65 feet of water in Little Traverse Bay, Petoskey, Michigan.
The Little Traverse Bay Area is very proud of its monument,
so the monument is cleaned and maintained annually by many divers from near and far.
Annual public viewings are planned each year (dependent on conditions)...
A large amount of the information and photos on this "Little Traverse Bay Crucifix" web page were submitted by Dennis Jessick. Dennis was a teacher at Littlefield Public Schools in Alanson, Michigan. He has been an avid diver since 1974, and has had an interest in the crucifix for many years. He began venturing out on the ice above the crucifix annually beginning in 1984. Dennis initiated and has continued, with the help of many others, the public viewings in the years when held. Some very special and important people have helped to make the viewing of the crucifix possible. These people include divers, family members, and other very interested people who care dearly that the event continue year after year:
Debbie Carson (work crew) and Dave Carson (diver)
Rodney DesRocher (diver and work crew)
Mr. and Mrs. Dave Elsesser (work crew)
Rick Hoig, Lisa Hoig and Eric Hoig (divers and work crew)
Gary Hunter (diver and work crew)
Dennis Jessick (diver and work crew) Sue Jessick (work crew) Brian Jessick (diver and work crew)
Murray Kilgore (diver and work crew)
Alan Kolinski (diver and work crew)
Scott Leslie (diver and work crew)
Paul McGlynn (diver and work crew)
Rick Trudell (diver and work crew)
Northern Michigan Dive Center, Great Lakes Scuba, and Scuba North which have sponsored events, Saginaw Dive Team (cleaning the crucifix)... and other people and divers who have dedicated their hard work to make the event a success. Pete VanBerlo is one of those from out of the area who annually spends time cleaning on the crucifix.
Debbie Carson (work crew) and Dave Carson (diver)
Rodney DesRocher (diver and work crew)
Mr. and Mrs. Dave Elsesser (work crew)
Rick Hoig, Lisa Hoig and Eric Hoig (divers and work crew)
Gary Hunter (diver and work crew)
Dennis Jessick (diver and work crew) Sue Jessick (work crew) Brian Jessick (diver and work crew)
Murray Kilgore (diver and work crew)
Alan Kolinski (diver and work crew)
Scott Leslie (diver and work crew)
Paul McGlynn (diver and work crew)
Rick Trudell (diver and work crew)
Northern Michigan Dive Center, Great Lakes Scuba, and Scuba North which have sponsored events, Saginaw Dive Team (cleaning the crucifix)... and other people and divers who have dedicated their hard work to make the event a success. Pete VanBerlo is one of those from out of the area who annually spends time cleaning on the crucifix.
~ STATISTICS ~
DIMENSIONS AND LOCATION AND ANNUAL VIEWINGS
(Public knows IF viewing event is to be held, or not, by ~ "NO TENT, NO EVENT):
(Compiled by Dennis Jessick)
DIMENSIONS AND LOCATION AND ANNUAL VIEWINGS
(Public knows IF viewing event is to be held, or not, by ~ "NO TENT, NO EVENT):
(Compiled by Dennis Jessick)
11' Tall
5'4" Crossbar
5' Figure
4 9/16 " Thick
43" From Bottom To Foot Rest
9 1/16" Wide On The Upright Post
Original Cost $2500.00
Value of Crucifix In 1960's ~ $5000.00
Life Expectancy 200+ Years
Weight 1850 Pounds
White Italian Marble created in Italy
*Left Arm Is Secured By A Clamp ~ Broken In 1980's When It Was Placed In Little Traverse Bay
*Right Arm Missing Since 1962 – Later recovered... (See 1997 on timeline directly below)
Several Commemorative Plaques Are Situated Around The Crucifix
Buoyed in the summer months
Right Arm Missing AGAIN as of May 2018
Right Arm Recovered 7 September 2019 (See details in timeline toward bottom of web page)
Location about 1/4 mile from Petoskey's Waterfront as of 02/12/09:
N 45 22.866
W 084 57.323
Annual Viewings and Number of Viewers:
1985 ~ Raised and new base built
1986 ~ First Annual Viewing (300+ viewers)
1987 ~ 620+
1988 ~ 1273+
1989 ~ 850+
1990 ~ 400+
1991 ~ No Viewing - Turbid Water, Heavy Slush
1992 ~ No Viewing - Heavy Rain
1993 ~ 1033+
1994 ~ 211+
1995 ~ 606+
1996 ~ 1300+
1997 ~ *Right Arm Reattached (Dedication Ceremony) 1200+
1998 ~ No Ice
1999 ~ No Ice
2000 ~ No Ice
2001 ~ 1200+
2002 ~ No Ice
2003 ~ 1500+
2004 ~ 1800+
2005 ~ 1800+
2006 ~ No Viewing - Bad Ice
2007 ~ No Viewing - Bad Ice Conditions
2008 ~ No Viewing - High Winds On Friday, Very Poor Water Visibility (Right Arm Off - Left Arm 1/2 Off)
2009 ~ 900+
2010 ~ No Event - Bad Ice
2011 ~ 1244+
2012 ~ No Event - Bad Ice
2013 ~ No Event - Bad Ice
2014 ~ No Event - Bad Ice And Visibility
2015 ~ March 7; 2021 Viewers [RECORD NUMBER OF VIEWERS]
2016 ~ No Event - Bad Ice
2017 ~ No Event - Bad Ice (Right Arm Missing again as of May 2017) ** See toward the bottom of this web page **
2018 ~ No Event - Poor Ice Conditions
2019 ~ 1372
2020 ~ Even if ice... No Event (Corona Virus Restrictions)
2021 ~ Not enough ice... plus still dealing with COVID–19
2022 ~ No Event due to COVID/Omicron concerns with possibly too many people entering the confined viewing tent; Looking forward to 2023.
2023 ~ No Event - No Ice
(Limited) History Of The Crucifix ~ Written 19 May 1987
by
Dennis Jessick (President of the Little Traverse Bay Dive Club, Petoskey, Michigan)
by
Dennis Jessick (President of the Little Traverse Bay Dive Club, Petoskey, Michigan)
Back of the Photo Postcard Below Reads:
"Little Traverse Bay Crucifix believed to be the only fresh water crucifix in the world.
Winter viewing annually. Located in 24' of water."
"Little Traverse Bay Crucifix believed to be the only fresh water crucifix in the world.
Winter viewing annually. Located in 24' of water."
~ Crucifix Visitation Event Items Of Note ~
Submitted by Dennis Jessick:
Submitted by Dennis Jessick:
- Our group has traditionally camped out on the ice in the past to get ahead of the event.
- Mr. and Mrs. Winfield Sluyter always wanted to be the FIRST viewers of the crucifix. They would fly in and land with their aircraft on skis and place their names in the registry book. Mr. Sluyter always called the site "Little America" when he flew over it. In 2009 Mr. Sluyter received the "Wright Brother Master Pilot Award" for 50 years of safe flying.
- Andy Bowman from Harbor Springs has landed his home built aircraft near the site for all to enjoy.
- Harris Stevens (deceased) always made fly-bys with his amphibious aircraft and his beloved dog sitting in the co-pilot position. A unique sight to see.
- Various other aircraft have landed near the event in the past (1. Mr. and Mrs. Lance Talcott 2. Mr. and Mrs. Skip Heimbecker).
- We have dived under 8' to 10' of ice on-site. Cutting the holes for viewing and diving requires a tremendous amount of work. It often takes many hours to open the viewing and diving holes. Ice thickness has shown in the past, to be from several feet thick to over 8 feet or more. Due to the "inverted towers of ice," which are caused from pack ice rolling over and freezing in place, it makes it very difficult to open a hole without hitting a "tower." It would be like diving in a cave with stalagmites all around. A very beautiful place to be.
- Vehicles have (with proper ice thickness) been able to drive to the site. This helped transport all the needed equipment. A wedding party even drove out to the viewing site in a "Stretch Limo."
- Wet suit divers have completed numerous dives on the event days. Dry Suits are the preferred suit. All divers are line tended from a dive tender who relays line pull signals to the diver and the diver in return, acknowledges the signal and then sends the same signal back to the tender. A safety diver is nearby for emergency purposes. A 911 radio is also on site. Divers are taught to solve problems at depth, rather than come to the surface too fast. Due to the 24' of water, however, it is an easy out so to speak by giving the line tender 3 pulls on the line, From that, the line tender pulls the diver to safety.
- The Petoskey Wrestling Club and the Boy Scouts have sold hot dogs, hot chocolate, and coffee in the past.
- TV 9&10 and TV 7&4 have also been on site before. Radio stations have also been very helpful. The local newspapers, like the Petoskey News Review and The Graphic, have published great photos and coverage.
- We have done 2-day events in the past. Due to lack of help, and work schedules, we had to cut it back to 1-day events.
- The youngest person at an event was 2 months old, with the oldest 92 years old.
- Night dives also were completed after we built a special underwater light. Night diving is very special, especially when the general public gets a chance to see what it takes to do a dive. A pipe framework was built with car headlights attached to illuminate the crucifix. A gorgeous yellow/green glow covers the crucifix.
- People sometimes have waited in line over two hours to view the crucifix.
- In 1988 "four new ice divers dove during the day, including Dennis Jessick's foreign exchange student, Carina Ericsson.
- During one viewing, the bay was covered in thick fog. At one point, a snowy white owl flew over the site and headed south. A little while latter, it would be known that an aircraft had crashed south of Petoskey. The aircraft burned, but all occupants managed to miraculously get out. Interesting.
- In an effort to locate the crucifix for a viewing, Dennis Jessick and his diving partner of over 40 years, attempted to make one auger hole, send a camera down and hopefully find the crucifix. Bingo! They were standing directly above the crucifix. That was the only time they were able to locate the crucifix... all with only one hole drilled. Usually, they drilled within 20' of the crucifix by utilizing a GPS and 3 shoreline targets.
- Dennis Jessick flew his Powered Parachute over the viewing site a couple of days AFTER the event. A First!
- It is an emotional and memorable experience to watch and listen to viewers when they first see the crucifix. From very young to old, each person has a unique personal attachment to the crucifix. Numerous viewers express that the ONLY time they venture onto the ice is when the event is taking place... making it their "Winter walk."
Mysterious Name Behind the Famous Monument...
The Crucifix of Little Traverse Bay
~ "Mystery History" ~
The Crucifix of Little Traverse Bay
~ "Mystery History" ~
Photo Below: This is the Schipinski's family farm (in 2004) located in Rapson, Michigan,
(located in Huron County in the Thumb portion of the Lower Peninsula)
where the fatal shooting accident happened.
At this farmstead Dennis and Sue Jessick FINALLY solved the mystery
as to whom the crucifix was dedicated.
(located in Huron County in the Thumb portion of the Lower Peninsula)
where the fatal shooting accident happened.
At this farmstead Dennis and Sue Jessick FINALLY solved the mystery
as to whom the crucifix was dedicated.
The freak accidental death of Jerry Schipinski was reported below in the
31 May 1956 Huron Daily Tribune (The Upper Thumb's Only Daily Newspaper).
31 May 1956 Huron Daily Tribune (The Upper Thumb's Only Daily Newspaper).
Photo Below: This is St. Joseph Catholic Church at Rapson, Michigan, where the funeral was held for Gerald Schipinski. This church is very close to the cemetery where Gerald Schipinski was buried. The damaged crucifix was stored behind the church (in its original packing crate) until its sale in an insurance auction.
TOP
~ Three Special Crucifixes ~
When the special crucifix for their son Gerald Schipinski's memorial arrived from Italy, it was damaged... both arms were broken off, so the crucifix was refused. Another crucifix was ordered because It would have cost too much to send the damaged crucifix back. The damaged crucifix was stored behind the Catholic Church in Rapson, Michigan, for a year. Then it was put up for sale in an insurance auction where a southern Michigan dive team named the Wyandotte Superior Marine Dive Club out of Wyandotte, Michigan, purchased the crucifix for $50.00. The crucifix was brought to Little Traverse Bay, after repairs costing $900.00.
The second crucifix was created to replace the first damaged crucifix. It was destroyed in a heavy wind, and snow storm in the Rapson, Michigan, cemetery. It had previously been told (as noted in the report below) that this second crucifix was in the Mio, Michigan, cemetery. Another story stated the second cross was buried behind the Rapson, Michigan, cemetery. (2019 UPDATE with correction) The true story, as noted by a Schipinski Family member, is that the second crucifix was sold to a person in Canada. A copy of this crucifix is located in the Mio, Michigan, Cemetery.
The third crucifix made it to the Rapson Cemetery unscathed, and rests at the entrance into the cemetery.
Locations of Crucifixes Summary:
#1 Crucifix: (Broken) Bottom of Little Traverse Bay
#2 Crucifix: (Broken) Sold to person in Canada
#3 Crucifix: (Complete) Rapson Cemetery near resting place of Gerald "Jerry" Schipinski
The second crucifix was created to replace the first damaged crucifix. It was destroyed in a heavy wind, and snow storm in the Rapson, Michigan, cemetery. It had previously been told (as noted in the report below) that this second crucifix was in the Mio, Michigan, cemetery. Another story stated the second cross was buried behind the Rapson, Michigan, cemetery. (2019 UPDATE with correction) The true story, as noted by a Schipinski Family member, is that the second crucifix was sold to a person in Canada. A copy of this crucifix is located in the Mio, Michigan, Cemetery.
The third crucifix made it to the Rapson Cemetery unscathed, and rests at the entrance into the cemetery.
Locations of Crucifixes Summary:
#1 Crucifix: (Broken) Bottom of Little Traverse Bay
#2 Crucifix: (Broken) Sold to person in Canada
#3 Crucifix: (Complete) Rapson Cemetery near resting place of Gerald "Jerry" Schipinski
Photos Below: Taken at the Sigel Township St. Joseph Roman Catholic Cemetery
gravesite of Gerald Schipinski, Rapson, Michigan...
gravesite of Gerald Schipinski, Rapson, Michigan...
Photo Below: Little did this repairman know that in the future,
the arm that he is about to attach, would end up missing for 40+ years!
the arm that he is about to attach, would end up missing for 40+ years!
~ Dedication of the Little Traverse Bay Crucifix ~
1962
1962
An American action adventure television series "Sea Hunt" starring Lloyd Bridges, aired from 1958 to 1961. Bridges portrayed a former US Navy frogman. The dive club in Wyandotte, Michigan, invited Lloyd Bridges to attend the Little Traverse Bay Crucifix Dedication in 1962. The following telegram reply was received from Lloyd Bridges on 3 August 1962.
Photo Below: The USCG Sundew... 180' long buoy tender is currently owned by a private party in Minnesota.
TOP
~ Placing a Divers' Plaque ~
1964
1964
Plaque Inscription: "O Lord, guide all divers through thy wondrous underwater world, give them wisdom, patience and courage, and preserve them from all dangers of the sea, through Christ our Lord, amen. ~ Saginaw Underwater Explorers 1964"
~ A New Location For The Crucifix ~
1984
~ A Memorable Sad Day For The Crucifix ~
1985
1985
Dennis Jessick remembers the day the two photos below were taken: "A memorable photo (1985)... This is my wife Sue and our youngest son, Brian. The crucifix was lifted earlier in the day from its original location in 65’ of water, after spending 23 years submerged. It was cut loose from its original base and a new base was built at this location (Petoskey launch ramp).
The next day, the Michigan Skin Diving Counsel and several of their divers were to take the crucifix to its present-day site off Sunset Park. Their vessel did not start and I offered to pull their vessel and the crucifix to its present site. NOTE: Right arm is missing and the left arm is not separated. Upon lowering it to 24’ of water using (2) two ton lift pillows (air bags), the air in the bags was released too quickly, thus sending the crucifix crashing to the bottom. The impact separated (broke) the left arm off. This left arm had to be secured with bands to restore the crucifix. A sad day!"
The next day, the Michigan Skin Diving Counsel and several of their divers were to take the crucifix to its present-day site off Sunset Park. Their vessel did not start and I offered to pull their vessel and the crucifix to its present site. NOTE: Right arm is missing and the left arm is not separated. Upon lowering it to 24’ of water using (2) two ton lift pillows (air bags), the air in the bags was released too quickly, thus sending the crucifix crashing to the bottom. The impact separated (broke) the left arm off. This left arm had to be secured with bands to restore the crucifix. A sad day!"
1986
~ FIRST Public Viewers Of The Crucifix ~
25 February 1986
25 February 1986
Mr. and Mrs. Winfield Sluyter always wanted to be the FIRST viewers of the crucifix.
They would fly in and land with their aircraft on skis and place their names in the registry book.
The "Diver Down" Or "Scuba Flag" (indicates a diver below) hung below the American Flag.
"Little America"
They would fly in and land with their aircraft on skis and place their names in the registry book.
The "Diver Down" Or "Scuba Flag" (indicates a diver below) hung below the American Flag.
"Little America"
Photo Below Left: The arrow is pointing to a shore reference point for locating the cross.
A house and a tree line served as a visual reference...
Two or three points plus a GPS unit are used to pinpoint the crucifix.
A house and a tree line served as a visual reference...
Two or three points plus a GPS unit are used to pinpoint the crucifix.
The article above stated about the photo below: "A steady stream of spectators walks a trail across Little Traverse Bay from Petoskey..."
Photos Below: Years Uncertain, but "Earlier Years"
~ Petoskey to Lose Crucifix? ~
1987
1987
Photo Above with the article "Petoskey to lose crucifix?":
"Larry Mills of Hillsdale was one of several skin divers
who helped clean the crucifix and move it closer to shore in 1984. (NEWS file photo)
"Larry Mills of Hillsdale was one of several skin divers
who helped clean the crucifix and move it closer to shore in 1984. (NEWS file photo)
The Petoskey News Review Editorial below to "Keep the crucifix here in Petoskey" followed the article above...
Dennis and Sue Jessick's foreign exchange student,
Carina Ericsson dove to the crucifix.
1987
Carina Ericsson dove to the crucifix.
1987
~ Crucifix Viewing ~
March 1988
March 1988
~ Setting Up For The Viewing Event ~
23 February 1990
23 February 1990
~ Wedding Party Viewed The Crucifix ~
February 1990
February 1990
Mr. and Mrs. Ken and Debbie Provost, with their wedding party, were driven on to the ice in a "stretch limo" for the viewing of the crucifix in 1990. Mr. Provost was a Marine and was to leave for deployment in the next few days.
~ Photographs Of Underwater Crucifix Are Part Of Petoskey's Remodeled Resource Center ~
1992
1992
~ Earlier Crucifix Viewing Days ~
1994
1994
Photo Below Left: The teepee shape in the background is an old cargo parachute with a heater inside.
Photo Below Right: Dennis Jessick after completing a dive.
Photo Below Right: Dennis Jessick after completing a dive.
~ Letter Below: Ron Tocco stated he will return the "long time" missing right arm of the crucifix. ~
1995
TOP
~ Missing Crucifix Arm Turns Up ~
1996
1996
~ Granite Plaque For Diving Accident Victim ~
1997
1997
Two Photos Below: A very cold, windy and sad day for the family of a Gibson family member who perished in a diving accident. The heavy granite plaque almost did not go through the viewing hole. Dennis Jessick admitted to shedding a tear as he took the photo below bottom row on right.
2001
The seven photos below were submitted by Peter Gorkiewicz who wrote: "I became certified for diving in 2000... My dad (Bob Gorkiewicz) is the diver in the blue mask about to go in. We dove during the public viewing and actually went down under the ice to see the crucifix. A cabled camera underwater was sending up live feed to a public viewing screen in one of the tents. It was cold and clear, with a couple of lethargic fish."
An undated 2003 photo by G. Randall Goss,
with an article by Ken Winter the Petoskey News Review Editor told of
Ken Winter's FIRST ever visit to view the crucifix.
2003
with an article by Ken Winter the Petoskey News Review Editor told of
Ken Winter's FIRST ever visit to view the crucifix.
2003
26 February 2004
~ Teacher And Diver Dennis Jessick Turns Detective ~
2005
2005
During the crucifix viewing in 2005, Sue and Dennis Jessick presented a portfolio to the Schipinski Family...
a portfolio including the history of the Little Traverse Bay Crucifix,
with the Schipinski Family relationship to the crucifix.
2009
~ Photo Giving Notice of Upcoming Viewing ~
2009
~ Photo Giving Notice of Upcoming Viewing ~
2009
~ Cold Water Bath To Clean The Crucifix ~
2009
2009
~ Crucifix Viewing ~
2013
2013
~ Another Large Crowd Waiting On The Ice To View The Crucifix ~
~ Petoskey News Review Editorial Board Says "(N)ice job!" ~
2013
2013
~ 2,021 Viewers Visited the Crucifix ~
7 March 2015
(Click PLAY in upper left corner of main photo to view Slideshow Below)
7 March 2015
(Click PLAY in upper left corner of main photo to view Slideshow Below)
~ Cleaning and Maintaining the Little Traverse Bay Crucifix ~
The Little Traverse Bay Area is very proud of its monument,
so the monument is cleaned and maintained annually by many divers from near and far.
so the monument is cleaned and maintained annually by many divers from near and far.
May 2017
Right Arm of the Crucifix is Missing AGAIN!
Right Arm of the Crucifix is Missing AGAIN!
** Submitted by Dennis Jessick in September 2018:
"My diving partner had discovered way last May 2017 that both arms were not on the crossbars. Then, the left arm was located near the feet area to the east. The right arm was not found. It is concluded that due to very heavy down surges of water being created by large ice flows/heavy wave action and water movement, probably the arm became dislocated. With constant sub surface agitation, the arm could easily have been pushed/moved in between the rocky crevices which are basically in front of the cross. Due to the length of time since the ice left the bay, and continued time from then until now, the arm would not be a visible white color, but rather, covered in algae and the like. Being of a small size, it could have been wedged between rocks or boulder type elements. A huge pattern search was done, several times with numerous divers, with no success. Another dive or so is planned using a grid pattern search, w/ strict detail to areas to be searched. It is sad, that our 30+ year mystery of solving the same arm awhile back, is now duplicating the issue again. We really want to solve this latest mystery for many, many reasons."
"My diving partner had discovered way last May 2017 that both arms were not on the crossbars. Then, the left arm was located near the feet area to the east. The right arm was not found. It is concluded that due to very heavy down surges of water being created by large ice flows/heavy wave action and water movement, probably the arm became dislocated. With constant sub surface agitation, the arm could easily have been pushed/moved in between the rocky crevices which are basically in front of the cross. Due to the length of time since the ice left the bay, and continued time from then until now, the arm would not be a visible white color, but rather, covered in algae and the like. Being of a small size, it could have been wedged between rocks or boulder type elements. A huge pattern search was done, several times with numerous divers, with no success. Another dive or so is planned using a grid pattern search, w/ strict detail to areas to be searched. It is sad, that our 30+ year mystery of solving the same arm awhile back, is now duplicating the issue again. We really want to solve this latest mystery for many, many reasons."
~ Preparing for 2019 Crucifix Viewing ~
To be held 9 March 2019
Dennis Jessick and a work partner and organizer, and another organizer went on to the ice field 4 March 2019 (Monday) to check the ice and to locate the crucifix. Over five feet of ice was logged with supreme water clarity. A camera was sent down to verify the situation. Viewers would be directed on 9 March 2019 (Saturday) from the waterfront Clock Tower area to the viewing site, with viewing hours from 11am until 6pm.
The photos below:
~ 9 March 2019 Crucifix Viewing ~
Photos and text submitted by
Dennis Jessick, an organizer of the event, and a diver...
AND
Alex Childress, area accomplished photographer, and videographer.
Alex Childress' exquisite photos are posted on this
Northern Mich~Mash Preserve web site only with permission.
His work also may be viewed at Alex Childress Photo.
~ 9 March 2019 Crucifix Viewing ~
Photos and text submitted by
Dennis Jessick, an organizer of the event, and a diver...
AND
Alex Childress, area accomplished photographer, and videographer.
Alex Childress' exquisite photos are posted on this
Northern Mich~Mash Preserve web site only with permission.
His work also may be viewed at Alex Childress Photo.
Besides Mr. and Mrs. Robert Schipinski...
1372 Viewing attendees appeared with 16 dogs, one ski plane landing, and three babies.
Great Event!
1372 Viewing attendees appeared with 16 dogs, one ski plane landing, and three babies.
Great Event!
Photo Below: Mr. & Mrs. Robert Schapinski from Rapson, Michigan came to remember "their memorial". Mr. Schipinski is the half-brother to the 15 year old Gerald "Jerry" Schipinski who lost his life in a farm related accident in 1956. This crucifix was to rest over his gravesite. It never made it. View Jerry's story farther above on this same web page.
Preparing the viewing site...
Viewing box and new platform...
Andy Bowman from Harbor Springs landing his ski plane to take part in the crucifix viewing...
From the viewing box and platform;
Stunningly clear image of the crucifix
and the surrounding memorials 22 feet underwater...
Photography of Alex Childress Photo
Stunningly clear image of the crucifix
and the surrounding memorials 22 feet underwater...
Photography of Alex Childress Photo
The viewing area was dismantled at 6:30PM.
At that time the heavy winds started to blow.
At that time the heavy winds started to blow.
~ Right Arm of Crucifix Recovered by Dive Team... ~
Rick Hoig, Bruce Lyon, and Jim Nowka.
7 September 2019
After having been missing since May of 2017, the right arm of the crucifix was discovered 7 September 2019 still in Little Traverse Bay. After many dives since its absence, the arm was finally located buried in the sand near the top area of the cross. The dive team of Rick Hoig, Bruce Lyon, and Jim Nowka shared a wonderful day of discovery and recovery. Both arms now are secured to the cross; another mystery solved!
2020 ~ Even if ice... No Event (Corona Virus Restrictions)
2021 ~ Not enough ice... plus still dealing with COVID–19
2022 ~ No Event due to COVID/Omicron concerns with possibly too many people entering the confined viewing tent; Looking forward to 2023.
2023 ~ No Event... NO ice
2021 ~ Not enough ice... plus still dealing with COVID–19
2022 ~ No Event due to COVID/Omicron concerns with possibly too many people entering the confined viewing tent; Looking forward to 2023.
2023 ~ No Event... NO ice
*Click here to watch a video of the Petoskey Underwater Crucifix
telling the story of the crucifix and showing the cleaning of the crucifix.
Coordinates for the crucifix location are 45°22'52.0"N 84°57'19.4"W