Shipwreck Journaljournal — Page 3 Journal of the Great Lakes Shipwreck Historical Society Spring / Summer 2012 • Volume 30 No
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Whitefish Point History is Alive at ShipwreckShipwreck JournalJournal — page 3 Journal of the Great Lakes Shipwreck Historical Society Spring / Summer 2012 • Volume 30 No. 1 / 2 R.V. David Boyd Launched for 2012 Shipwreck Hunting (Story on Page 2) R.V. David Boyd is launched into the St. Marys River at the Cloverland Hydroelectric Plant in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan, June 29, 2012. PHOTO BY BRUCE LYNN Featured Whitefish Point Shipwreck Search The Shipwreck Special Events in this Issue: Homecomings • by Sea & Air • Coast’s First Victim • at Whitefish Point Whitefish Point Homecomings It is amazing how many shipping, lighthouse, Hagan also contacted some of his former and lifesaving station stories along Superior’s Coast Guard crew to solicit information. He Shipwreck Coast bring a focus to Whitefish Point. contacted Chuck Nemmo, who served with him at Visitors often bring personal and family history to Whitefish for 2 years. In addition, he tried to contact share with us and to help enrich our historical re- Terry Repking, whom he later found out had passed cords. I frequently get requests from front-line staff away in March 1993 leaving 2 young daughters to rush over to the museum to meet a guest with a behind. Dennis commented that “Sometimes look- story. I must say these are very rewarding encounters ing for people isn’t all that much fun.” Chroniclers because we get a chance to learn from recollections of history come face to face with the fact that we are and pictures of actual people who served along the here but a brief moment in time in the big scheme of coast. It is really win/win because people like to things. We need to celebrate and appreciate our lives and the people we meet wife Mitzi spent countless hours over several years along this brief journey helping restore the Light-Keeper’s Quarters and as life is in the living. The pitched-in whenever good advice or a helping hand people stories are what were needed. Al served several terms on our Board help bring the wonderful of Directors and was my mentor as I served on the historic buildings back to Board. Al seemed very pleased at the progress we’ve life in the imagination of made in restoring, preserving, and sharing ship- our visitors. wrecks and lighthouses at Whitefish Point. It was On May 29, 2012, great to see him smiling and enjoying life. former USCG Seaman Lee This is just a sample of some of the wonderful Hackbarth and his wife people who have come home to Whitefish Point so Edye, now of Eau Galle, far this season. WI, visited Whitefish Point – Terry Begnoche, Site Manager and treated staff to some great pictures. Lee served in the USCG on the Aids to Navigation Team from Group Sault Ste. Marie in the early 1980’s. Speaking of home- share the family histories in hopes of preserving the comings, our stalwart volunteer and past Board stories for posterity, which dovetails nicely with our President, Al Robertson, visited on August 13, 2012. mission of discovery, preservation, interpretation and Al and his friend Terri enjoyed the Crew’s Quarters education. It is easy to take for granted daily work and the museum complex. Robertson with his late and to not realize that living is history in the making. Early this season Dennis L. Hagan and his ABOVE LEFT: USCG crewmembers at wife from Reading, PA visited and provided pictures Whitefish Point (1966), Dennis Hagen taken during his Coast Guard service at Whitefish second from left Point in the 1960’s. ABOVE RIGHT: Lee and Edy Hackbarth Such pictures tell the story of daily life at with GLSHS staff member Beverly Purcell Whitefish Point across decades. They actually help RIGHT: Duga Reed, wife of Chief Forest us, as historians, to see important structural features Reed, helps with painting (1966) at specific points in time. COVER STORY can sonar efficiency, and new improvements to the Society’s Phantom S4 Remotely Operated Refit and Research Scheduled for R.V. David Boyd Vehicle. Dives are planned to local wrecks The Shipwreck Society is pleased to report the launch. Our special thanks to Thomas around Whitefish Point, with limited search- that our 47-foot research vessel David Boyd has Mannesto, Bob Smith, Bruce Lynn, Sean Ley, and ing, particularly for the wreck of the Invincible, been launched for the 2012 diving season after Board Secretary Bruce Glupker for their able as- thought to lie in Whitefish Bay along its western having rested ashore during the 2011 season. sistance in getting the Boyd to operational status. shore. If things go well, and finances allow, the The Boyd has taken its berth at the Whitefish The Society’s Dive Committee has out- Boyd may soon venture to the west, exploring Point Harbor of Refuge as of early August. lined a conservative program for this summer: and looking for new wrecks along the infamous A small crew was present at the Cloverland The focus this season will be on updating all Shipwreck Coast. Hydro Plant dock on June 29 to assist with vessel systems, navigational equipment, sides- – Sean Ley, Development Officer Lamplight Tours, Shallow Shipwrecks and a Sole Survivor Special events offer Whitefish Point Visitors excitement, insight and adventure Summer 2012 has been an exciting season thus the Lamplight Tour far at the Shipwreck Museum. New exhibits, of Whitefish Point. programs and “adventure tours” are in place Guests were guided by Shipwreck Museum staff and have been enjoyed by museum guests docents and historical at July 21, 2012 Lamplight Tour from all over the world. Two events have stood interpreters provided out to date, both in attendance and positive both first and third visitor reaction. Dennis Hale, sole survivor of person representations of the actual people group neared the wreck site and the paddlers, the November 1966 sinking of the Daniel J. whose livelihood meant preventing wrecks or with GPS assistance, soon found the shadow of a Morrell, spoke to a packed museum on July 2, saving sailors. Beverly Purcell, longtime GLSHS sunken ship. Periscopes were quickly utilized to 2012. Mr. Hale spoke for 45 minutes, sharing staff member, was particularly effective during gain a better view of the underwater hulk. It was his experiences of that horrific night on Lake her representation of lighthouse keeper wife, an exciting moment for the kayakers! The last Huron. Young and old alike were enthralled by Anna Carlson. Purcell “became” Ms. Carlson, public Shallow Shipwreck Kayak Tour took place Hale and nearly one-half hour of questions and recalled her and Robert Carlson’s early in September and will become a regular program followed the presentation. years as keepers. offering in 2013. A large crowd turned out on the evening of One new program takes guests beyond These events and programs represent a Saturday, July 21, 2012 for an entirely new normal comfort levels and into the waves of small part of “what’s new” at the Great Lakes experience at Whitefish Point…for museum Whitefish Bay. GLSHS, working in concert Shipwreck Museum this summer. Please keep guests. What was once commonplace along with Woods and Water Eco Tours of Hessel, an eye on the Shipwreck Museum website the Shipwreck Coast…a beach patrol by a MI, has developed the Shallow Shipwreck (www.shipwreckmuseum.com) for further Life Saving Service crew-member, a Light- Kayak Tour of Whitefish Bay. A test date in announcements and updates. We hope to see Keeper preparing the lamp for the night, a June saw GLSHS staff and Woods and Water you at Whitefish Point this fall! keeper’s family doing chores in the keeper’s Eco Tour guides launching kayaks near the – Bruce Lynn, Operations Manager Quarters …took place again for a night during wreck of the Yosemite. Waves kicked-up as the Kayakers discover shipwrecks on Whitefish Bay Great Lakes Shipwreck Historical Society • Shipwreck Journal 3 According to Julius F. Wolff Jr., “in and 6 others were located with similar aerial Aerial Surveys November 1816 a rash attempt was made to surveys in 2007 by Darryl and Whitefish Point reach Fort William in the schooner Invincible, Underwater Preserve volunteers. but a storm on the 13th and 14th over the Later that same day, I found myself climb- Seek Out Long Eastern lake intervened. Invincible was hurled ing into that Cessna Skylane for a nice long ashore and dashed to pieces in the vicinity of ride. With headphones clamped on my head Whitefish Point. Those aboard reached shore, and my GPS resting on my leg, Rick piloted Lost Shipwrecks but the firm little Schooner was no more.” First his plane Northward toward Grand Marais. launched in 1802 in Sault Ste. Marie, MI, the The sun was at our backs, the blue-green water It was a bright crisp day on June 13, trade and exploration 60 ft wooden schooner and sand beaches were brilliantly lit against a 2012…a good calm day to fly. The 1962 was the first recorded ship to be lost in Lake backdrop of fresh green foliage. We flew east Cessna Skylane 182 airplane lifted from the Superior. Invincible was the prime target for Rick along the Southern shore of Lake Superior past grass runway at Newberry, MI airport shortly and Darryl. Two Hearted River, Little Lake, Crisp Point, before noon. Under VFR (Visual Flight Rules), At last, a shadowy streak appeared in the Vermillion, Whitefish Point, Whitefish Bay and the Cessna Skylane effortlessly flew towards distant shallows. Quickly checking the hand further to the St. Mary’s River. Familiar shallow Whitefish Bay.