Search for The Bell
 

I was told of a bell that was used as a mooring block for a big boat and given the general area to search. I dove the area last week and found what without question has every attribute of a bell at least from a distance. However upon seeing the video and pictures I was told that this isn't THE bell. I would agree.

The can-like object on top almost fell off when I touched it so I pulled it off and cleaned it up only to find a massive steel spring, not an eye that a bell might have. This thing is approx 3 feet high and I estimated the weight at about 200 pounds by working my fingers underneath it and lifting. It tilted and I could also feel what appeared to be a steel plate secured to the bottom, not an opening one would expect it it was a real bell. It was encrusted with typical rust I see all the time but that doesn't mean bells weren't made from steel. I was hoping for bronze. And 200 pounds of anything won't hold much of boat in place.

Interesting in any event. Search continues.

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/0ZYRyzIsNKU" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0ZYRyzIsNKU

The other Bell
 

Last year I was searching for a massive bell that was used long ago as a mooring block. At that time I posted what certainly looks like a bell but it was not nearly big enough to hold down the boat that was tied to it.

With help from the person who told me the story and a relation of the owner of it I found it this year.

While covered in rusted accretion that indicates it's ferrous metal, I am surprised by it, expecting it would-and might be-made of bronze or similar metal.

Probably 5 feet across in size. I would estimate its weight at perhaps 1/2 ton., maybe less.

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http://youtu.be/aEdvvM6dz_Y

That is very cool. Thanks for sharing.

Thanks Hans!
 

Thanks for finding Judy's bell. A very interesting and historical find, given that she rowed out to that moored 40 foot wooden boat at 10 years old to bring her grandparents in to shore. She estimated that it had been there for 50 years and it was where she said it would be.

You are truly amazing Hans! You made her very happy. Me too, thanks!

Sue

The size of the bell, really is shown well, when you put your hand on it. It's a really big bell! Water Camper, do you or your wife know the bells origins? Was it brought to the lake for it's weight or was it in use around here? Interesting.

Bell's origin unknown
 

Unfortunately, how the bell came to be there is not known. Pretty neat find for Hans though.

Sue