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. Pilot and GLSHS board mem- held GPS for known shipwreck site waypoints, water shipwreck sites appeared faintly through ber Rick Heineman and Shipwreck Society Darryl concluded the submerged structure the depths. Unfortunately, Invincible still Lifetime Member Darryl Ertel eagerly scanned was the Yosemite. Yosemite caught fire and was remains an elusive target…for now. Heineman the shallow waters and beaches along the Bay. run to shore. The ship burned to the water- plans for another aerial survey while the weather They searched for the tell tale signs of a ship- line in Tahquamenon Bay of Whitefish Bay holds this season with his Cessna, “an oldie but a wreck site. on September 27, 1893. This shipwreck site goody,” Skylane. Rick Heineman is an accomplished Darryl Ertel Pilot, Technical Diver and serves on the Board (left) and Rick Heineman (right) of Directors of the Great Lakes Shipwreck conducting Historical Society. Darryl Ertel is a Technical/ aerial surveys at Rebreather Diver, President of the Whitefish Whitefish Point. Point Underwater Preserve, and also enjoys PHOTO BY flying experimental aircraft. Both are dedicated DARRYL ERTEL volunteers exploring and researching shipwreck sites at Whitefish Point.

–by Sarah Wilde Membership and Marketing Coordinator (and diver)

An areal view of Whitefish Point and the Shipwreck Museum. –PHOTO BY SARAH WILDE

4 Great Lakes Shipwreck Historical Society • Shipwreck Journal ake Superior met the challenge of European shipping with an early lesson for all that were wise enough to take heed. The message, de- livered in November, 1816, was clear and unmistakable; with the conse- The Wreck of the quences really quite merciful, from the standpoint of human life. The Nineteenth Century had just dawned upon the Great Lakes. Schooner Invincible The American Revolution was a generation past, the land claims and withdrawals to new borders, while difficult, were finally accomplished. Lake Superior Warns Early Mariners Drummond Island, Mackinac Island and Sault Ste. Marie flew the Stars and Stripes; the last of these more as a nominal gesture than any deep statement of loyalty. The border of Upper Canada was as always in sight, across the St. Mary’s River and commercial interests of the French and British were far more dominant than those of what few Americans took up residence. Resentment was still high from the summer 1814 American raid upon the town, burning several buildings, residences and the British lock on the Canadian side. In the early Nineteenth Century the British North West Company had more ships in its commercial fleet than did any nation’s navy on the Great Lakes. It was a chartered corporation, blessed by the King, to rep- resent His Majesty’s interests on the Frontier. Trade required transport and the North West Company required a new schooner. The North West Company set about the task, in 1801, to build and launch a new addition to its fleet. The lumber was taken from the forests surrounding Sandusky. Artisans near the Royal shipyard at Amherstberg shaped the frames. The North West Company then transported prefabricated stock and supplies The Loss of the Schooner Invincible – painting by William Koelpin north to Point Aux Pins, still flying the Union Jack. The keel was laid, frames erected, planks fastened and the North West Company launched and chris- authority of the King and placing the rogue Lord in irons for a later trial in tened a new ship, a Schooner of about 50 tonnes burthen, “Invincible.” York. It was late in the season, her Mate warned, but the thought of Lord Like Titanic more than a century later, names reflect attitudes of the time. Selkirk retaining control of Fort William through the winter was politically Names are often regretted. unacceptable. Politics, most often, should yield to nature. Invincible joined a fleet of ships, including the brig Caledonia and Invincible departed in fine weather and made good progress up the small schooner, Perseverance. When trouble next came to the region, the St. Mary’s River and into the open waters of Whitefish Bay. As would just more than a dozen years later, Caledonia attained notoriety for float- later so often repeat, the weather turned, an early winter storm set in near ing down the rapids, leading the raid upon Mackinac Island, being captured Whitefish Point. On November 16, 1816, with snow, ice and sleet add- by the Americans off Fort Erie in one of the first victories of the war for ing significantly to her weight, clinging to the spars and rigging, freezing the young Untied States Navy and fighting as a part of Perry’s squadron at her blocks and rendering her sails stiff and unmanageable, Invincible suc- the Battle of Lake Erie. Similarly, Perseverance met her end as the cumbed on what is believed to have been the lee shore of Whitefish Point. result of the War, on the nearby St. Mary’s River, burned as a re- Invincible is the first European style shipwreck of the “Shipwreck sult of the bitter raid upon the Sault led by Major Andrew Hunter Coast.” Amazingly, not a soul was lost. All made it back to the Sault, frozen, Holmes, who was killed a short time later on Mackinac Island. starving, desperate for shelter; but alive. The forlorn party likely trekked Invincible seemed to live up to her name through the War overland down through what would later be the village of Paradise, al- of 1812. Her exact whereabouts and activities are unknown but it though it seemed quite the opposite to them as they struggled for their lives. is known that the North West Company took measures to “hide” Royal Navy Lieutenant Henry Bayfield charted the waters sur- some of its fleet along the bays and coves of a desolate shoreline, rounding Whitefish Point in 1825. His work is highly regarded; his charts wary of attempts to capture or destroy any vessel flying the Union are beautiful, accurate and were in general use right up to the advent of Jack, whether merchantman or man-o-war. She most likely was GPS. He noted the “Wreck of the Schooner Invincible” on his chart. The kept on Lake Superior, transporting goods and supplies for her real mystery is that no trace of her has been found. The Shipwreck Society owner. has that original chart hanging in the Crews Quarters. But all conflicts present danger and having survived a large The Shipwreck Society also has a model of Invincible on display in one, Invincible later became involved in a small one. Lord Selkirk its main gallery and a painting by Koelpin of Invincible foundering, Lake of the Red River Colony declared himself the sole authority at Fort Superior having issued her warning, the small schooner in the throes of William, in Western Lake Superior and was rumored of mistreat- demonstrating the absurdity of her name. Too many others over the decades ing Metis. Lord Selkirk also had ties to the Hudson Bay Company, would ignore that early warning. Someday, remnants of her may be found. the only commercial rival to the owners of Invincible. The North In the meantime, mariners would do well to heed Superior’s warning… West Company summoned the Sheriff from York and departed the vessels with names suggesting arrogance are often served up humble pie. Sault on November 14, 1816, for the purpose of reestablishing the ~Jim Spurr, President, Great Lakes Shipwreck Historical Society

Great Lakes Shipwreck Historical Society • Shipwreck Journal 5 Non-Profit Organization BOARD OF DIRECTORS US POSTAGE PAID James Spurr William J. McLeod Sault Ste Marie PRESIDENT VICE-PRESIDENT Michigan Bruce Glupker Matt Howard Permit No 15 SECRETARY TREASURER

Corey Adkins Steve Ouellette Greg George Dan Sippel Great Lakes Shipwreck Rick Heineman Bill Springer Historical Society Gordon Laco Chris West 400 W. Portage Avenue Chris Winters Sault Ste. Marie, MI 49783 HONORARY BOARD MEMBERS Address Service Requested Gordon Lightfoot Emory Kristof Lt. Cmdr. R. H.Gwalchmai STAFF Bruce Lynn Sean Ley OPERATIONS MANAGER DEVELOPMENT BUSINESS MEMBERS Terry Begnoche Sarah Wilde Great Lakes Shipwreck Museum SITE MANAGER MEMBERSHIP & MARKETING of the Great Lakes Shipwreck Historical Society COORDINATOR Ana Saum These Business Members of the Great Lakes Shipwreck Historical Society VISITOR INFORMATION ASST. SITE MANAGER GLSHS Staff directly support publication of the Shipwreck Journal which is mailed to all NEWSLETTER members of the Society. They will be listed in each newsletter. The cost of a MUSEUM LOCATION: 18335 N. Whitefish Point Road, Business Membership is $100 per year. For membership information, please Paradise, MI. Take Highway M-123 to Paradise, then go 11 call the Society office at 1-800-635-1742. miles north on Whitefish Point Road. The road is 2-lane blacktop. Great Lakes Shipwreck Museum The museum is located at the end of the Whitefish Point Road. MISSION STATEMENT Ann Ivory Studios, Farmington Hills, MI Association for Great Lakes Maritime History MUSEUM HOURS: Open May 1–Oct. 31, 10 am to 6 pm every The mission of the Great Lakes day, last ticket sold at 5:30. Admission is free to Crews Quarters Shipwreck Museum is to collect, preserve, study BurgherGines, LLC, St. James, MO Overnight Program guests. For information on the overnight and interpret the material culture of the Great Central Savings Bank, Sault Ste. Marie, MI program, please call toll-free 1-888-492-3747. Lakes, Primary emphasis will be on maritime Cloverland Electric Cooperative, Dafter, MI ADMISSION PRICES, 2012 history as it relates to the U.S. Lifesaving Service, County Emmet Celtic Shop, Petoskey, MI U.S. Lighthouse Service, U.S. Coast Guard and Adults: $13.00 ships and travellers who fell victim to the perils DeTour Reef Light Preservation Society Children 6–17: $9.00 of maritime transport. Shipwreck Museum Erickson Appliance Center, Sault Ste Marie, MI Children 5 and under: Free programs are essentially of the humanities, EUP Regional Planning & Development Commission Family, 2 adults & 2 or more children: $35.00 designed to examine man’s attempts to harness Freighter’s View on the Bay, Paradise, MI Family, 1 adult & 2 or more children: $26.00 nature and the hardships encountered while Gates Veterinary Hospital, Rochester, NY GROUP TOUR PRICES, 2012 (Groups of 12 or more) navigating the Great Lakes. Through quality Great Lakes Lightkeepers Association Adults: $9.00 and content of its operations, the Shipwreck Interlake Steamship Co., Cleveland, OH Children 6–17: $6.50 Museum will continue to maintain its position Children 5 and under: Free as a leading professional maritime organization Lake Superior Magazine, Duluth, MN Please call 800-635-1742 to schedule all group tours. on the Great Lakes. Lake Superior State University The principal constituents of the Lewinski & Brewster, Sault Ste. Marie, MI Shipwreck Society Administrative Offices:are located in the museum are: its members, regional educational Library of Michigan historic Weather Bureau Building, Soo Locks Park. Exhibits and institutions, divers and those who have a Madigan/Pingatore Insurance Services, SSM, MI store open 10am to 4pm daily in the summer; admission is free. vested interest in Great Lakes Shipping or Magnuson Hotel, Paradise, MI Great Lakes Shipwreck Historical Society have lost loved ones to shipwreck. Through 400 W. Portage Avenue Mayor Technologies, Inc. Chandler, AZ continued communication with the various Sault Sainte Marie, MI 49783 constituencies, the Shipwreck Museum will Miller Canfield, PLC, Kalamazoo, MI Telephone: 906-635-1742 evaluate and refine its exhibits, programs, Pak-N-Ship Express, Sault Ste. Marie, MI publications and special events. Paradise Area Chamber of Commerce General Information...... 906-635-1742 Admin. Office/Development...... 906-635-1742 Passage Boat Works, DeTour, MI Shipwreck Coast Museum Store...... 888-492-3747 PLANNED GIVING Sault Area Chamber of Commerce Crews Quarters Overnight Prog...... (May-Oct) 888-492-3747 There are many charitable planned giving options Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians .(Nov-Apr) 800-635-1742 available to you. You can make a planned gift to the Sault Ste. Marie Convention & Visitors Bureau FAX NUMBERS: Administrative Office...... 906-635-0860 Shipwreck Society by naming it as a beneficiary of TenEyck Distributors, Idaho Falls, ID U.P. Engineers & Architects, Houghton, MI Shipwreck Coast Museum Store...... 906-492-3383 your last will and testament, life insurance policy, INTERNET: William McLeod, Edw D. Jones, Sault Ste. Marie, MI retirement plan, or charitable trust. Some of the Web Site...... www.shipwreckmuseum.com planning strategies may have a Tax Benefit to you Winter Septic Service, Paradise, MI E-Mail...... [email protected] or others. Please contact Sean Ley, Development Wisconsin Energy Corp. Foundation, Milwaukee, WI Officer, at 800-635-1742.