Joint Field Report – Traverse Bay Subaqueous Heritage Survey

Project Designation: The Survey of the Silent Circle (Order of the Great Fifth Sea) / SHSE-25 (Great Lakes Research Consortium)
Date: 22 October 2025
Location: Grand Traverse Bay, Michigan-exact coordinates redacted
Weather Conditions: Overcast, wind E 8–12 knots, visibility 1.2 NM, surface temperature 48°F
Participating Vessels: Arcturus (GLRC) – surface coordination
Little Concord (OGFS) – submersible operations
Recorder: Klara Nilsen (Order), assisted by Dr. Tobias Rehn (GLRC)

I. Mission Objective

To conduct a cooperative hydrographic and visual survey of the submerged lithic formation at coordinates redacted, located forty feet below the surface in Grand Traverse Bay. The purpose of the dive was to verify prior bathymetric anomalies and document the configuration and composition of the stone alignment known colloquially as the “Stonehenge of Lake Michigan.”

II. Launch and Initial Procedures

Operations commenced at 0815 hours from Pier 5, Traverse City Harbor.

• The Arcturus departed dock with minimal delay.
  
  

• The Little Concord was deployed by crane at 0907 under supervision of Dr. Liu (GLRC) and Mr. Whitcomb (OGFS).
  
  

• Initial radio and telemetry checks showed intermittent interference but stable redundancy via analog channels.
  
  

• Water clarity rated at 3.5 meters; suspended particulate moderate.
  
  

Recorder’s Note: The Order delegation conducted a brief “alignment acknowledgment” ritual before deployment. GLRC observers described it as “inefficient but well-choreographed.”

III. Descent and Instrumentation Data

Depth progression:

• 0–20 ft: visibility high, color attenuation moderate.
  
  

• 20–35 ft: transition to low-light green phase.
  
  

• 40 ft: target zone reached, temperature 44°F, pressure 18 psi.
  
  

Telemetry and Imaging:

• Dual-frequency sonar confirmed subsurface irregularities consistent with earlier 2007 findings.
  
  

• Optical feed (primary camera) recorded intermittent static bursts attributed to particulate backscatter.
  
  

• Analog sketching conducted by Senior Keeper Whitcomb.
  
  

• Digital echo data stored on GLRC drives 3A–3D; analog tracings logged in Ledger Sheet 22B (Order archive).
  
  

Anomaly Report:
At 0939 hours, sonar returned a transient acoustic reflection of unknown origin, estimated at 6.8 m east of primary formation. No concurrent visual confirmed. Signal intensity 42 dB, duration 2.1 seconds.

IV. Visual Observations

Formation observed as series of glacial stones (avg. 1.2 m diameter) arranged in an apparent semi-circular pattern.

• One slab exhibits markings consistent with scoring or linear incision.
  
  

• GLRC assessment: “glacial abrasion, possibly intersecting fracture lines.”
  
  

• Order assessment: “intentional modification of lithic surface.”
  
  

Recorder’s Note: Debate logged at 0958 between Director Hemsdale and Presiding Concordant Corvus regarding classification terminology. Issue unresolved; both agreed to “record, not interpret.”

V. Communications Log Excerpt

 0931 – Corvus: “Hold steady at forty feet. Record all bearings.”
0932 – Hemsdale: “Data lock acquired. Keep headings fixed.”
0933 – Whitcomb (sub): “Visual contact… irregular geometry, estimating eight to ten stones.”
0934 – Armitage (GLRC): “Telemetry stable. Refracted reflection north-east, possible second cluster.”
0935 – Corvus: “Note it. We will return.”
0936 – Price (surface comms): “Recording static—signal flicker for six seconds.”
0937 – Liu: “Confirm both channels—digital and analog cut simultaneously.”

VI. Surface Recovery and Post-Dive Analysis

• Little Concord recovered without incident at 1015 hours.
  
  

• Hull and thrusters inspected; no mechanical anomalies found.
  
  

• Data review initiated aboard Arcturus at 1040 hours.
  
  

• Initial visual replay displayed minor corruption (frames 19–24) across both recording systems.
  
  

GLRC Preliminary Conclusion:
No evidence of deliberate structure beyond natural glacial arrangement. Data loss attributed to magnetic field fluctuation from onboard power transition.

Order Preliminary Conclusion:
Observed regularity of spacing suggests pre-glacial human arrangement or post-glacial ritual placement. Data interruption “consistent with environmental resonance or temporal distortion.”

Recorder’s Note: Mutual decision made to postpone further descent pending weather window. Alistar Corvus described the event as “inconclusive but significant.” Rebecca Hemsdale described it as “typical.”

VII. Equipment and Data Summary

VIII. Closing Remarks

Operations concluded at 1118 hours. All personnel returned to harbor without injury or incident. Weather conditions deteriorated by 1300 hours; further dives postponed pending clearance.
Joint statement drafted but not yet approved for press release.

Recorder’s Closing Note:
Both delegations recorded the same silence differently.