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In 1977, I visited a long-time friend, C. Patrick Labadie, curator of the Canal Park Marine Museum at Duluth, Minnesota. Pat had developed the rough pencil sketches of the INDIANA's steam plant detailed below by running Steele's films over several times. I mentioned to Pat that here was a unique opportunity -- an early marine steam pro- pulsion system waiting to be recovered and restored! Pat warmed to the possibility and forwarded copies of his work to me at Bowling Green. Over the winter the idea of federal involvement began to materialize. A phone call on my part to the Smithsonian Institution finally ended in conversation with Dr. Robert Post, acting curator for the new Maritime Hall. Steele's film was borrowed and sent to Washington for viewing. After more discussion, Post was joined by John Stine, of the museum's Division of Transportation. A meeting was held at Bowling Green between persons from the State of Michigan, the Coast Guard, Smithsonian, Steele, and myself. This resulted in Smithsonian commissioning Steele to take more film of the wreck site to further verify the condition of the engine. Already it was obvious that if the expedition was to become a reality, a larger effort than originally had been discussed would be necessary. During the interim Dr. Post was transferred to another museum position and the project's guidance was given to John Stine. Involvement by Smithsonian's general consul resulted in a precedent-setting agree- ment between the State of Michigan, National Trust for Historic Preservation, National Council on Historic Preservation, and Smithsonian for the transfer of ownership. While these legal commitments were being ironed out, Stine put together a logistical package involving the United States Navy and the Army Corps of Engineers. Given the red tape and bureaucracy of Washington, this was no small task. It took several months of concentrated effort, but the results were gratifying. The Corps provided the derrick barge COLEMAN, the tug LAKE SUPERIOR, and the tender BAYFIELD. The Navy sent Harbor Clearance Unit Two from Little Creek, Virginia, and a recently- certified dive team of Reservists from Chicago. (To be continued) SMOKESTACK EXRAUST SSAEETY BLAWOF TE FORWARD STARBOARD Machinery Arrangement Sketch by C. P. Labadie