January 2009

A Monthly Publication of the U.S. Consulate Krakow Volume VI. Issue 55. LLIGHTSIGHTS ONON THETHE GGREATREAT LLAKESAKES

The , which are also known as the ”inland all. Rivers and channels connect the lakes: the St. seas” or the “third coast of the U.S. and Canada,” con- Mary’s River connects to Lake Huron; sist of the five Great Lakes: Erie, Huron, Michigan, the St. Clair River, St. Clair Lake, and the Detroit Ontario, and Superior. Together, they cover an area of River connect Lake Huron to Lake Erie; the Niagara 94,250 square miles (244,100 square kilometers) and River (with Niagara Falls) connects Lake Erie to Lake contain one-fifth of the world’s fresh water. They are Ontario. The border between the U.S. and Canada so huge that they can be seen from the Moon. Two of runs down the middle of Lake Erie. The Great Lakes them derive their names from the Indian tribes that greatly affect the weather, climate, and the way of life once inhabited the area: the Eries and the Hurons. of the inhabitants of the 10 states and provinces that Before being given its current name, they touch. The states and provinces include: Illinois, was called “Lake of the Stinking Water,” “Lake of the , Michigan, Minnesota, New York, Ohio, On- Puants,” and “Lac des Illinois.” Ontario in Iroquois tario, Pennsylvania, Quebec, and Wisconsin. In this means “beautiful lake.” “Le lac Superieus,” the name issue of Zoom in on America we will take a closer look given to Lake Superior by French explorers, means at some of the that have guarded the “Upper Lake,” and, indeed, its elevation is higher than 10,500 miles (16,900 km) of coast that make up the the others. It is also the biggest and deepest of them Great Lakes.

Ice covers the South Haven and gantry along the Lake Michigan shore in South Haven, Michigan, Photo © AP Images

In This Issue: Lights on the Great Lakes Zoom in on America VVICTIMSICTIMS OFOF THETHE GGREATREAT LLAKESAKES Edmund Fitzgerald, slides Edmund Fitzgerald, into the launching The largest and longest vessel ever built on the Great Lakes, the 729-foot ore carrier SS carrier ore Lakes, the 729-foot Great longest vessel ever built on the The largest and basin, on June 7, 1958, in Detroit, Michigan, in Detroit, basin, on June 7, 1958, Photo ©AP Images Photo ©AP Images

The Great Lakes have never been easy to navigate. Violent storms are known for collecting deadly tolls, The fall months, October through December, have and storms on the Great Lakes are no exception. In frequent storms, with the waves reaching a height of 1905 alone three such storms killed 116 people on ten meters at times. There was such a severe storm Lake Superior, while one record gale in November of on Lake Superior on November 10, 1975 that the larg- that same year wrecked 30 ships. est ship to have ever sailed the Great Lakes at the Another difficult year was 1897 when a freighter, the time, the Edmund Fitzgerald, sank within seconds. Idaho, carrying a cargo of Christmas confections The ship, captained by Ernest M. McSorley, began its sank near Dunkirk Light on Lake Erie. For weeks af- fateful journey from Superior Wisconsin with a cargo ter the shipwreck, slabs of chocolate washed up on of 26,000 tons of taconite. It was scheduled to land on the lake’s shores. Zug Island on the Detroit River; however, an unex- The Great Lakes Shipwreck Research Foundation pectedly strong blizzard made the captain change his researches shipwrecks and explores the still rela- course northward towards the more secure waters of tively unexplored lakebeds in search of schooners, Whitefish Bay. There was also a lighthouse in that steamers, and other sunken ships embedded in the bay; unfortunately, though, its light was not working depths of the Great Lakes. When explorers come that day due to the severity of the storm. Tragically, across these sunken ships they usually leave them with only about 15 miles separating her from the Bay, as they find them. In the case of the Edmund Fitzger- the Edmund Fitzgerald sank without ever even send- ald, however, the bell of the unfortunate ship was ing an SOS (distress signal). The crew of 29 sailors all lifted out of the water and placed in the Great Lakes perished. Shipwreck Museum in Whitefish Point, Michigan. A The Edmund Fitzgerald is just one of thousands of copy of the bell was cast and taken down to the ships that have wrecked on the Great Lakes. Another wreck to replace the original. tragic disaster happened near the Grosse Point Light The memory of those who have perished on the in Evanston, Illinois when the steamer ship known as lakes lives on. For example, each year on November the Eastland capsized while pulling away from its 10 lamps are lit at the Split Rock Lighthouse in com- dock because someone had forgotten to release the memoration of the Edmund Fitzgerald tragedy 33 ropes on her stern. The accident resulted in the years ago. deaths of 835 of the ship’s 2,500 passengers.

Zoom page 2 Click to listen: http://stream.state.gov/streamvol/libmedia/krakow/10474/light1/light1.wma IINN GGOODOOD ANDAND BBADAD WWEATHEREATHER

The South Haven, Michigan, The lighthouse in Menominee, Manistee, Michigan, north pier Pier and lighthouse in South Haven, Photo © AP Images Michigan, Photo © AP Images light, Photo © AP Images Michigan, Photo © AP Images The dictionary describes a lighthouse as a tower house keeper tremendously. Technology produced or other structure containing a beacon of light to less of a need for lighthouse keepers, and in 1999 warn or guide ships at sea. What sight is more re- the last manned light station (Boston Harbor Light) assuring for seamen than a streak of light amidst was automated. the night waters of unknown seas? What sound is With the lighthouse keepers moving out (many old- more welcome than the distant echo of a fog horn style keepers moved out as a result of President in a dense mist? Indeed, lighthouses have always Franklin D. Roosevelt’s Reorganization Plan No.11, been sailors’ best friends. which transferred the service from civilian hands to Lighthouses first produced their light by the use of the U.S. Coast Guard), their houses and lighthouse fires and candles. Later, they began to use kerosene towers started to crumble. Neglected, exposed to lamps, and today electricity powers their lights. These high winds, waves, and humidity, they soon lost changes have greatly affected the work of the light- their luster, and years later plans were made to house keeper. In the past, in spite of the risks, the take them down. hardships, and the low pay, the profession had a ro- But by that time, local people did not want to let mantic appeal as well as prestige. Unfortunately, that them go. They wanted them restored and brought is no longer the case. back to their former beauty. Groups of preserva- In the old days, a special bond existed between sail- tionists conducted crusades to save the old light- ors and lighthouse keepers; keepers were always houses. Such efforts restored the Charlotte- aware of the responsibility they held for the lives of Genesee Light in Rochester, New York, the Crisp sailors. The keepers, both men and women, were also Point Light in Northwest of Paradise, Michigan, the in a sense lifeguards who rescued castaways and oth- Fire Island Light in New York, and the Holland Har- ers from drowning. Many lighthouse keepers saved bor Light in Holland, Michigan. The lenses from the dozens and even hundreds of lives. deactivated lighthouses were often entrusted to maritime museums. The job of lighthouse keeping often passed from fa- ther to son or from husband to wife. It provided a The good purpose lighthouses serve by assisting home for the keepers, although it became harder and ships in bad weather, guiding them safely to ports, harder for lighthouse inhabitants to maintain their pri- and warning them against shallow waters and vacy as lighthouses became very popular as tourist treacherous rocks has warmed people’s hearts to destinations in the early 20th century. them for centuries. The image of a lighthouse against tranquil waters is as much spectacular as it The 20th century, with the development in technology is inspirational. and the two World Wars changed the job of the light-

The Ponce Inlet Lighthouse The Ludington Lighthouse The North Manistee Lighthouse Photo © AP Images Photo © AP Images Photo © AP Images

Click to listen: http://stream.state.gov/streamvol/libmedia/krakow/10474/light2/light2.wma Zoom page 3 ACTIVITYACTIVITY PAGEPAGE

Win a Prize! Zoom in on America thanks all of you who sent us warm New

January 2009 CONTEST Year’s greetings.

Give at least two nouns We extend best wishes for a that contain the word happy and prosperous New “house”, e.g. “lighthouse” Year to all of our dear readers. And - as suits the topic of this Send the answer (with issue - your home address) to: may the light from all the light- [email protected] houses around the world Deadline: February 5 show you the best and safest

paths. The Point Iroquois Lighthouse Win a Prize! Photo © AP Images

The answer in the Exercise 1: December 2008 Contest: Comprehension: true (T) or false (F) Ralph Bunche was 1. Lake St. Clair is counted as one of the five Great Lakes. awarded the 1950 Nobel 2. Being a lighthouse keeper was a job only for men. Peace Prize 3. Local residents took pride in the old lighthouses and wanted to restore them.

4. The Edmund Fitzgerald was lifted from the bed of Lake Superior. Thank you for participating Exercise 2 The winners are: Marianna, Ania, and Magda Please name the parts of the SHIP indicated by the arrows:

CONGRATULATIONS 1 The prizes will be sent to you by mail

2

6 3

4 5 About ZOOM End of the Year Contest

GlossaryGlossary Zoom is online at The readers have chosen the nicest (in the order of appearance) www.usinfo.pl/zoom/ 2008 Zoom cover:

Subscription issues: derive - arise from or originate http://www.usinfo.pl/zoom/ The winners in this ply - (about a vessel) travel regularly over subscribe.htm contest are: a route list - (of a ship) lean to one side, typically Contact us at Sebastian, Maya, because of a leak or unbalanced cargo [email protected] Wanda, Paweł, Jan stern - the rearmost part of a ship and Jake confection - a delicacy made with sweet American Information ingredients Resource Center The book albums streak - a long line or mark of a different will be sent to you color from its surroundings Krakow by mail! luster - having a shine or glow Konsulat Generalny USA ul. Stolarska 9, 31-043 Krakow [email protected] CONGRATULATIONS!

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