THIS is the reason I prefer a paper filter over foam.
Back in the day, me and a buddy went busting deep puddles with his Datsun. He did the same trick you did, same results. His truck was a stick, and it didn't have a clutch switch. I told him to use the starter to climb up to dry ground. Old Jeep trick.
His truck had the old fashioned horn style filter housing. The filter was soaked, but only on the front half. I turned the filter 180 degrees, put the lid back on, and we were able to drive it home.
The paper element swelled when the water hit it, preventing water from entering the engine. Try that with a foam filter!
Cool pics!