“Howling Winds”
Mascots were fairly common on Great Lakes ships, and the animal of choice was a dog. Ric Mixter chronicles some of the most famous storms and the canines that made it through, including the LC Waldo’s bulldog in the 1913 Storm, and the pets of the captain and cook that rode 20 miles in a lifeboat with gold medal lifesavers from Charlotte, New York. Soogie, the Coast Guard dog, rode through the same storm that sank the Edmund Fitzgerald! The recent discovery of the Huronton also brings to the surface the legend of the ship’s dog by a man who survived over a dozen shipwrecks.
BOMARC- Michigan’s Contribution to the Nation’s Air Defense
"Willow Run's airport was purchased by the University of Michigan for a dollar after World War II, and analysis of the Nazi V-2 rocket soon led to speculation that scientists at the Willow Run Laboratory were working on a version that could fly to new heights, and even possibly afford manned flight into outer space. The world soon learned the effort was for a missile defense system that would protect America's northern states from airborne attack. Ric digs into the research at Willow Run and the concept of air defense that came from the think tank at Willow Run. Also covered is the controversy of the Air Force versus the Army's Nike program and the fight for funding the best solution against Soviet threats. Michigan's Upper Peninsula is featured as the first operational BOMARC facility in the country, hosted at Raco Field near Sault Ste Marie."
Smoke on the Water: The Jupiter Explosion
Ric was on the scene when the Jupiter was burning on the Saginaw River. Three million gallons of unleaded fuel erupted after a freighter passsed the offloading Jupiter and the crew were forced to jump into the river to escape the flames. Featuring interviews with the men and women who rescued the crew, earning lifesaving medals for the effort.
Briny Depths: Great Lakes Salt Industry
The recent discovery of a steamer loaded with salt brought to the surface the importance of Great Lakes salt production to the world. Piping up from a 400 million year old ocean deep beneath the Earth, salt manufacturers found high quality minerals in New York and Michigan. Over seventy ships were lost carrying salt to markets like Chicago and Superior, Wisconsin. Ric explores how the salt was discovered and dives several wrecks including the Adella Shores, Herman Hettler and Miztec and gives insight into how fortunes were made and lost.
Napoleon’s Armada on the Lakes
Edward Hines was dubbed the Napoleon of Lumber, buying up land from coast to coast, as well as controlling the largest sawmill on Lake Superior. In 1914, the largest lumber fleet on the lakes was devastated by a storm that sank four of Hine's boats, severely damaging three others. Over four-milllion board feet were lost in lakes Superior, Huron and Michigan- enough to build 1200 homes.
Ric explores two new finds by the Great Lakes Shipwreck Historical Society that were lost with all hands during that tragic November gale. Includes exclusive looks at the CF Curtis and Selden Marvin, ships that Ric helped to confirm the identity on.
Bottled Goodbyes
Based on Ric’s new book which chronicles the most famous messages found in bottles all around the world. Ric’s research found three from Titanic and an abandoned message from Christopher Columbus. With over a dozen Great Lakes messages from the 1913 Storm and famous ships like the Bannockburn and Rouse Simmons, this lecture is packed with new discoveries and old favorite stories.
The Edmund Fitzgerald Investigations
Based on the best selling maritime DVD on the topic. This lecture uses video to showcase not only the building of the ship, but also theories involved in the sinking. Ric is one of only a handful of people who have actually dove the shipwreck, and he shares rare interviews with Coast Guard officials, Jean Michel Cousteau and others who have braved Superior’s icy depths to look for answers.
Cement Boat
Based on our documentary by the same name, this program is an hour long look at commercial cement creation and transport by bulk freighter. From limestone mining to a voyage aboard the steamer Alpena, this lecture shares what it is like to work aboard a Great Lakes ship and some of the pluses and minuses of the lifestyle. Ric includes behind the scenes secrets of what it takes to film on a freighter, from climbing the smokestack to filling the holds with cement. Includes rare footage of the Huron Cement boats!
Offshore Outposts
Rare access to remote lighthouses on lakes Superior, Huron and Michigan! Featuring stories from the men who lived on far away islands and cement cribs. Ric Mixter solves the mystery of the explosion at Stannard Rock and introduces a man injured from the blast. Also see incredible renovation stories from DeTour Reef Light and St. Helena island.
Deep Six
Featuring the largest shipwrecks in the Great Lakes, from the Edmund Fitzgerald and William Moreland in Lake Superior to the Daniel J Morrell and Cedarville in Lake Huron. This was the first documentary to feature Lake Michigan’s largest wreck, the Carl D. Bradley. Ric also highlights the 1913 storm, which sent 12 ships to the bottom over one weekend. The 500 footers James Carruthers and Henry Smith are still missing. Also new is underwater footage and a survivor interview from Lake Erie’s largest shipwreck, the James Reed. This lecture also features how research brought in the rare interviews and how the re-enactments were filmed with a homemade liferaft made from hot pepper barrels.
Cutter Rescues
A tribute to powerful cutters that protect our inland seas! Featuring the stories of the Escanaba, Mackinac, Hollyhock, and Sundew. Ric was invited to break out the Soo Locks aboard the Mighty Mac and also toured on the Sundew during its final winter run near Duluth. This lecture also chronicles the amazing rescues of the shipwrecks Cedarville, Nordmeer, Henry Cort, and Carl D. Bradley. Featuring rare interviews and never-before-seen newsreel footage of the Cort, Mackinac, Hollyhock and Bradley.
Mystery of November Storms
Ric features the worst of the gales of November, from 1905 to 1975. Rare interviews with storm survivors and spellbinding underwater video make this one of our most popular lectures.. especially during the fall!
Missing Giants of Lake Huron
Includes the Water Witch, rumored to have a cargo of expensive copper on board, BF Wade, Pewabic, Egyptian, Carruthers, Clifton and the successful search for the Daniel J Morrell.
Lake Creatures
From giant spawning lake sturgeon to the tiniest diaporia, Ric explores our unique ecosystem and shares invasive species that are new to the lakes.
Wrecks of Saginaw Bay
This giant bay terrorized sailors who attempted to cross its expanse. Ric dives into the mystery of some of the ships and shows the bones of those that have been discovered.
Top 10 Wreck Dives in the Lakes
Ric’s favorite dives are featured in four of the Great Lakes. Selected for beginner to intermediate divers, this lecture encourages exploration the whole family can enjoy. Featuring wrecks in the Thunder Bay, Sanilac Shores, and Alger Underwater Preserves. Also wrecks at Whitefish, Milwaukee, Mackinac Straits, Tobermory and Lake Erie.
Great Lakes Shipyards
Profiles of Ford, Defoe, Great Lakes Engineering Works, and the shipyards at Lorain.
The Wheelsmen
Based on Ric’s first book, this lecture introduces the men featured in this unique biography of Great Lakes Storms. Featuring profiles of Len Gabrysiak (Cedarville), Lloyd Belcher (Novadoc), Ray O’Malley (Escanaba) and 1913 Storm survivor Ed Kanaby. Underwater footage of the shipwrecks and rare newsreel film make this a fascinating lecture!
Special Assignment
When Ric Mixter suits up for work.. it usually involves a flight suit or wetsuit. His work as a documentary producer and television cameraman has placed him all over the world.. from hunting alligators with Ted Nugent to flying F-16’s with the US Thunderbirds. Ric flew Michigan’s final B-52 missions and has also filmed atop the Mackinac Bridge, next to vampire bats, in monasteries, prisons and sewer pipes. His collection of rock and roll interviews from the 80’s are also an interesting look into Ric’s personality. Soon to be a new book!
Bombs Away
Michigan’s airfields have launched the Tuskegee Airmen, biplane aces and one of the longest bombing missions in history. Join Ric as he shares rare footage and interviews with the men (and women) who made history at our local airbases. Featuring profiles of Selfridge, Kincheloe, Sawyer and Wurtsmith.
Beginner Wreck Diving
The Great Lakes are the best place to learn to wreck dive.. with some of the most preserved shipwrecks in the world. Many are located in shallow water and provide incredible training opportunities for those who wish to explore our inland seas. A great primer for non-divers who need encouragement to try this incredible sport!
Great Lakes Treasures
Chests of confederate gold.. copper salvors who died trying to recover Pewabic’s treasure. Modern day salvagers looking for coins and the raising of a Great Lakes schooner. Each are a quest for mythical riches.. but Ric shows the audience the true treasure is in the historical resources beneath the waves. Featuring footage of the Edmund Fitzgerald’s bell raising!
The Ship Time Forgot: The Carl D Bradley
Few remembered the name of this giant ship that was lost to a November gale until it was featured in Deep Six. Survivor Frank Mays returned to the wrecksite in the submersible Delta. Join Ric Mixter as he dives into the controversy of the sinking with exclusive interviews and file footage of the ship. Featuring Ric’s personal experience on the first submersible visit to the wrecksite in 1995!
The Cedarville Collision
First to feature the limestone-hauling freighter in a documentary, Ric Mixter shares rare interviews and underwater footage of the Cedarville. Includes highlights from his book “The Wheelsmen”!
Safe Ashore: The 1940 Storm
Featuring an indepth look at Lake Michigan's most violent storm. Three freighters were destroyed and several others tossed on the beach in lakes Michigan and Superior. Featuring rare storm footage and survivor interviews from the Canadian steamer Novadoc.