What is the Underwater Archaeological Society of Chicago (UASC)?

The Underwater Archaeological Society of Chicago (UASC) is a Chicago-based organization focused on underwater archaeology and Great Lakes shipwreck research. Its website, uaschicago.org, serves as the group's public information hub and member communication platform. If you are interested in shipwrecks, maritime history, or underwater exploration in the Great Lakes region, UASC is the kind of organization you would look to for meetings, projects, and educational resources.

What UASC does

Based on the site's structure and content, UASC's activities fall into several areas:

• Meetings and presentations — The group holds regular meetings featuring guest speakers on shipwreck and underwater archaeology topics. A typical meeting includes an informal social period, a business session, and a featured presentation.
• Research projects — The site lists both current and past projects, including specific wreck sites such as the 12th Street Beach Wreck, Car Ferry No. 2, Flora Hill, Material Service Barge, Silver Spray, and Solon H. Johnson.
• Survey and discovery work — Project pages reference activities like sidescan surveys, indicating hands-on archaeological and search work.
• Training — UASC offers (NAS) Training, referring to Nautical Archaeology Society training, which is a recognized pathway into underwater archaeology for divers and non-divers.
• Public education and outreach — Through events like "Underwater Detectives," library presentations (e.g., Knox Indiana Library), and participation in the Chicago Maritime Festival, UASC engages the broader public.
• Adopt-A-Shipwreck — A program that appears to let members or groups take responsibility for documenting and researching a specific wreck.

Who it's for

UASC is aimed at people who want to explore Great Lakes maritime history and underwater archaeology, whether or not they dive. The site's content suggests several audiences:

• Divers — The presence of dive shop and dive charter listings (local and remote) indicates the organization serves an active diving community.
• Avocational archaeologists and historians — Members interested in research, documentation, and shipwreck identification.
• The general public — Public events, educational presentations, and an image gallery make the organization accessible to anyone curious about local shipwrecks.

How the website is organized

The site functions as both a public-facing resource and a member tool. Key sections include:

Meetings and registration

UASC meetings are open to guests, and registration is handled online. According to the site's announcement for its September 2026 meeting:

• Date: Wednesday, September 30, 2026
• Time: Socialize at 6:30 PM CT, business at 7:00 PM, featured presentation at 8:00 PM
• Format: Zoom only for this meeting
• Featured presenter: Chris Kraska, presenting "The Loss of the Clough: Exploration, Discovery, and an Unexpected Tragedy"
• Registration: Required via a Zoom registration link

The meeting format (Zoom vs. in-person) can vary, so check the current announcement before planning to attend.

Getting involved

If you want to join or support UASC, the site provides:

• A mailing list subscription option
• A membership application
• A membership payments page

The site also notes a "Subscribe" option, though specific pricing or membership tiers are not detailed in the available page content. For current dues and requirements, you would need to consult the membership pages directly.

Why it matters

For anyone researching Great Lakes shipwrecks or looking to participate in underwater archaeology in the Chicago area, UASC offers a structured way in: regular educational meetings, active field projects, training pathways, and a community of divers and researchers. The website is the starting point for meeting schedules, project details, and membership.