Friends of Plum & In this Edition: Feature Articles Pilot Islands, Inc. • Photo Exhibit in Mayville

Where History and Nature • Historic Furnishings—Call For Help • Audio Tour for the Listening Meet at the Door! • 2018 Annual Report Link Founded in 2007 • Ticks—Be Prepared • 2019 Events—Mark Your Calendar! • 2019 Work Days—See you Then Forum • Annual Meeting and Picnic • Fourth Annual Sunset Cruise www.plumandpilot.org Spring 2019 Island Inspirations • Beacons to the Past on Hello Friends and Supporters, Light Lessons • Schooner Grape Shot Isn’t it wonderful to wake up to the melodious birdsong? There is a cardinal Book Review that sits in the tree near my bedroom window, insisting he’s a rooster, Our Supporters stirring the neighborhood. Hearing Mother Nature awaken from her sleepy • Island Clipper hibernation calls to us for our 11th season on the National Wildlife • Nicolet Bank Refuge. We have some wonderful plans this season, including: lead abate- • Shoreline Charters ment on the Life-Saving Station and paint shed, window preservation/ • Washington Island Ferry restoration (through a partnership with the National Park Service) on all • Hotel Washington and Studio buildings, gutters on the Life-Saving Station and Lighthouse, testing for potable water on Plum Island, connection to the Washington Donors Island electricity grid, pollinator plantings, picnic table building and many New Members more tasks in store to enhance your visit to the Refuge. We always welcome additional hands, so please contact Volunteer Coordinator, Jim Schwartz, The FOPPI Forum is the membership if interested in helping ([email protected]). journal published four times a year by the Friends of Plum & Pilot Islands, Inc., Recently, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) released the final draft for people who care deeply about the of the official Visitor Services Plan (VSP). This strategy addresses all aspects of restoration and preservation of the visitor services with emphasis on the evaluation of historic buildings for use historic maritime structures of the as visitor contact stations / interpretation, and criteria for opening new land Green Bay National Wildlife Refuge. acquisitions to visitor use for the next 5 to 10 years. We are excited to have this in place so we can align our Strategic Plan with the VSP. An open house will be held on Washington Island in May for public review. FOPPI Forum back issues can be found at the Washington Island In April, members of our Board of Directors and Volunteer Leaders met at Archives, WI Marine Historical Society, the Horicon NWR for a ‘Friends Mentor Retreat’ weekend, awarded to FOPPI WI Maritime Museum, Egg Harbor Public in 2018 by USFWS. We worked together to develop strategies for building Library and the Historical financial capacity, redefined goals, objectives and priorities to preserve and Society Archives. restore the historic maritime structures, and learned a bit more about each other. An intensive program for the next 12 months, it has integral check- points to keep us on track to meet defined goals. Stay tuned for updates in future newsletters and blog posts.

We will be participating in a number of festivals like the Door County Sea Kayak Symposium, Door County Maritime Museum’s Classic Wood Boat Festival, Washington Island Fair and Death’s Door Barbeque. Please stop by and visit our booth! We were at Canoecopia (the world’s largest paddling expo) in March and met many folks interested in our projects and eager to come and volunteer. Also, mark your calendars for the Bird and Lighthouse Festivals, our Annual Member Picnic, the Fourth Annual Sunset Cruise, and USFWS Mentoring Retreat Weekend at the Explore Plum Island. See you soon! - Mary Beth Horicon National Wildlife Refuge Visitors Center, Mayville.

Friends of Plum & Pilot Islands Forum - Spring 2019 Page 1 Feature Articles— Good Things Are Happening Kim Krueger, Matt Foss and Mary Beth Volmer are working with U.S. Fish and Wildlife historians, James Myster and John Lauber to prepare a Historic Furnishings Report for the Plum Island Life-Saving / Coast Guard Station. The report will document the furnishings that were in the building between 1939 and 1969, to guide in the acquisition and/or reproduc- tion of like pieces.

The intended research will be done through photographs, movies, journals, letters and oral history from Coast Guard personnel and their families who served at the Plum Island If a picture is worth a thousand words, visitors to the Station. If you are interested in joining the HFR team, please Horicon National Wildlife Refuge now can take in a few contact [email protected]. chapters of Plum and Pilot Islands’ story.

On display into May, a gallery wall at the Refuge Visitors Center, W4279 Headquarters Road, Mayville, show- cases colorful photos taken by Friends of Plum and Pilot Islands members.

Thank you to Dave Edwards and Tim Sweet for coordi- nating the exhibit. And thanks to Tim, Amanda Above left: photo from restored Old Harbor Life-Saving Station Danforth, Elaine Hilmer, Amy Lesnjak and others for within the Cape Code National Seashore. Right: Plum Island Life- sharing their artistic vision. - Patti Zarling Saving Station.

https://www.plumandpilot.org/audio-tour.html is the link that will take you on a very special audio tour to places we love. Created by Gorton Vieth in 2018, the free app izi.travel (produced ‘easy dot travel’), can be downloaded to most smartphones. Once in place, you’ll be on the way to learning more about numbered topics (above) from a desktop, laptop or even while you are hiking on Plum!

Friends of Plum & Pilot Islands Forum - Spring 2019 Page 2 Feature Articles— Odds, Ends and Ticks Do you count on winter weather to kill off various insect pests? Best to keep up your vigilance for ticks all year round. Here’s a caption correction from the The University of Rhode Island TickEncounter Resource Center Winter Forum for reports that the blacklegged (deer) tick, which can carry Lyme adjacent photo. disease, is not killed or even necessarily dormant during winter. Deer ticks can withstand freezing temperatures and Misidentified as the may be active any time the ground is thawed, temps are Resumption, this ship is above freezing and they are not covered by snow. The Depart- the Mary Ellen Cook, abandoned near ment of Entomology at UW-Madison reports adult deer ticks Sturgeon Bay. Thanks can be active any time the temperature gets above 40-45F.

again to the John Chris- According to the American Lyme Disease Federation, people tensen Family for sharing are most likely to become infected with Lyme disease by tick the picture. Editor. nymphs during the summer because they go unnoticed due to their small size: just one tenth of an inch in length. Adult ticks are larger and more likely to be noticed, and so people often remove them before becoming infected. The likelihood of infection depends on whether or not the tick carries the bacteria that causes Lyme disease, and how long it feeds on a person.

According to the Department of Entomology, the most com- mon Midwest ticks found on people and pets are the deer tick (also called the blacklegged tick), the wood tick (also called the American dog tick), and the lone star tick which is abundant in southern Illinois but not Wisconsin. Their website has images to help identify the different varieties of ticks at different life stages.

Although we've been taught to beware of ticks attaching to our legs while walking in tall grass and brush, in one study 63% of adult ticks were found attached on the head, neck and upper torso.

When volunteering within the Green Bay National Wildlife Refuge and on Plum Island, please watch for ticks.

The Tick Encounter Center recommends: • Wear tick repellent clothing treated with permethrin, especially your pants. • Tuck in your shirt. • Perform tick checks, looking for adult ticks, after outdoor 2018 Annual Report is available online at https:// work or play. www.plumandpilot.org/annual-report.html • Throw clothes in a hot dryer for 5-10 minutes before Photo by Dawn Nelson. washing to kill any lingering ticks that may be attached to work clothing. • Report any ticks found either biting or loose to Tick Spotters, ’s crowd-sourced tick survey. Another option for reporting and identifying ticks isThe Tick App from UW-Madison. • Protect your pet. Spend time after being outdoors with Left to right: deer tick, wood tick, and lone star tick. them to check their fur, skin folds, ears and collar area. Photos are not actual tick size. - David Stack

Friends of Plum & Pilot Islands Forum - Spring 2019 Page 3 2019 Green Bay National Wildlife Refuge and FOPPI Events

MAY JULY 5/17-5/19 – Washington Islands Birding Festival 7/27 – Fourth Annual FOPPI Sunset Cruise Join FOPPI’s Sunset Cruise through beautiful Death’s Door Passage. Enjoy close-up views of Plum and Pilot Islands, part of the Green Bay National Wildlife Event located on Washington Refuge. Learn about the light- Island, includes side trips to houses and historical maritime Green Bay National Wildlife Refuge’s Plum Island and Rock structures found there, and help FOPPI’s campaign to Island State Park. Includes: Bird Banding capturing, band- restore them. Rain date 8/03/19. See page 7 and purchase ing, recording data and releasing birds); Birding Hikes led tickets online at: http://plumandpilot.org/ by experts; and Big Sits at locations where experts have recorded over 90 bird species in a single day! Registration: AUGUST http://www.wianc.org/bird-festival 8/10-8/11 – Door County Maritime

Museum Classic & Wooden Boat 5/25-5/26 – Door County Festival of Nature Festival The Ridges Sanctuary partners with local Held during Maritime Week in conservation groups, like FOPPI, to offer Sturgeon Bay. www.dcmm.org hikes, workshops, and presentations

highlighting the incredible beauty and

diversity of Door County. FOPPI provides 8/17 – Explore Plum Island Plum Island Habitat Hikes. The USFWS and FOPPI will http://www.ridgessanctuary.org/ offer guided hiking, kayaking,

and snorkeling tours of Plum JUNE Island, providing information 6/08-6/09 – 26th Annual Door about the island’s habitat, County Lighthouse Festival wildlife, and historical mari- This annual event, hosted by the Door time structures. Watch for County Maritime Museum, offers more details at: http://plumandpilot.org/ tours of area lighthouses. FOPPI hosts guided tours of Plum Island’s rear 8/17 – Washington Island Fair range light as part of the event Sponsored by the Washington Island festivities. http://www.dcmm.org/ Lions Club https://washingtonisland.com/ event/island-fair JULY 7/12-7/14 – Rutabaga’s Door County 8/24—Death’s Sea Kayak Symposium Door BBQ Rowleys Bay Resort, find details and reg- Who doesn’t like barbeque? istration at: https://www.paddlers.com https://www.deathsdoorbbq.com

7/13 – FOPPI Annual Picnic OCTOBER and Volunteer Recognition 10/12-10/13– Fall Lighthouse Members and volunteers are Festival invited to annual meeting held Door County Maritime Museum on Plum Island; transportation sponsors this annual event, is provided. A business offering tours of area lighthouses. meeting, volunteer recognition, FOPPI hosts guided tours of Plum and picnic lunch will take place before hiking to the Island’s rear range light as part of the festivities. island’s range lights. See page 6 for details. Information: http://www.dcmm.org/

Friends of Plum & Pilot Islands Forum - Spring 2019 Page 4 2019 Green Bay National Wildlife Refuge and FOPPI Volunteer Days

VOLUNTEERS. Friends of Plum and Pilot Islands functions Bat Survey – twice each summer, exclusively on volunteers. There is an on-going need for more the Refuge performs an evening hands to make lighter work for some of our many projects: bat count in coordination with Habitat Care: Island Steward – help keep the Refuge clean by the Wisconsin Department of picking up litter throughout Plum Island’s season. Natural Resources bat program. Weed Warrior – monitor and remove invasive plant species like Monarch Tagging – Each fall, spotted knapweed, buckthorn, hounds-tooth, purple loosestrife. there is a weekend when Refuge Training and equipment provided. Also, hands are needed to staff and FOPPI invite folks to help weed pollinator enhancement areas, planted in 2018 with help tag monarch butterflies, native flowering plant species. learn about their migration and Dave and Jim stopped to talk Maintenance – assist with the upkeep of the Refuge facilities, learn how to gather data for while mowing trails and including painting, repair, carpentry projects and general Monarch Watch. installing signage on Plum maintenance. Other opportunities include cleaning the rear Island. range light and boathouse, which is used as a visitor contact FOPPI also needs volunteers station. willing to work behind the scenes manning information tables at Wildlife: Breeding and Migrating Bird Surveyors – conduct events, serving as speakers, writing grants and/or helping with surveys for breeding and migrating birds throughout Plum other promotional activities.

Island. Must be knowledgeable in bird identification and bird If any of this sounds like you, contact us at calls. (Breeding is late spring and summer, migrating is spring [email protected] or visit our website: and fall.) plumandpilot.org.

Volunteer Work Days on Plum Island Plum Island is an incredible place to volunteer, offering great nature viewing opportunities, a setting rich in historical maritime structures, and people passionate about serving the Refuge’s resources. Your day will include a boat ride to Plum Island to work, rewarded by a chance to venture around the Refuge, and see the view from the top of the Plum Island lighthouse (which is really a rear range light, but we’ll fill you in on that later). The work days that include a campout provide the opportunity to get more work done, and have more fun. These are the only opportunity to camp at Plum Island, and they make for great star gazing, sunset and sunrise pictures, and a chance to relax around a camp- fire with like-minded people.

The Women In Preservation program offers a chance to learn new skills from volunteer mentors. Some of the projects women will be taking part in this year are: planting pollinators, building signage and picnic tables, tagging monarchs.

Please plan and bring: your signed Volunteer Services Agreement, long pants, warm clothes, sturdy close-toed shoes, and work gloves (gloves can also be provided), plenty of water, and lunch or snacks for the day.

To participate and sign-up, visit: http://www.plumandpilot.org/ * Work days are dependent on weather and safe boat access to Plum Island.*

2019 Work Days Bat Survey Campout Women in Preservation MAY 5/11 and 5/25 Contact Mary Beth JUNE 6/15-16 and 6/29 6/15-6/16 Volmer for specific dates. JULY 7/20 AUGUST 8/03, 8/17-18, 8/24 8/17-8/18 SEPTEMBER 9/07

Questions? Contact: Work Days and Work Day Campout: Jim Schwartz (FOPPI) [email protected] / 920-655-1234 Women In Preservation: Mary Beth Volmer (FOPPI) [email protected] / 262-613-4680 Refuge and Event-related Questions: Dustan Hoffman (USFWS) [email protected] / 920-948-5037

Friends of Plum & Pilot Islands Forum - Spring 2019 Page 5 Annual Membership Meeting and Picnic on Plum Island- Saturday, July 13th

This was the perfect day for our annual meeting.

Play ball! Plum Island picnickers also enjoyed America’s favorite sport. FOPPI photo

Picnickers from Washington Island on Plum Island, circa 1900, at the Life-Saving Station. Photo shows LSS before the basement was added. Courtesy Milwaukee County Historical Society.

These folks knew how to enjoy themselves on Plum. Good thing we do, too! Mark your calendar and plan to attend our annual membership meeting and picnic, Saturday, July 13th. This is just one of the many benefits of being a member! Transportation will be provided. Guests are welcome.

Weather permitting, here’s an outline of the day: • 9:00am: Island Clipper to promptly depart Gills Rock (please be at dock ~8:45am) • 9:30am: Island Clipper departs Washington Island at Detroit Harbor (please be at dock ~9:20am) • 10:00am: Arrive on Plum Island • 10:30-11:15am: Business meeting and USFWS volunteer recognition • 11:15am: Picnic lunch • Noon-2:30pm: Hike the Island, climb the rear range light, visit merchandise area, talk with FOPPI Board and USFWS. Enhance your visit with audio tour: https://www.plumandpilot.org/audio-tour.html • 2:30pm: Depart Plum for Washington Island • 3:00pm: Arrive on Washington Island • 3:30pm: Arrive at Gills Rock

You may be tempted to make a few purchases when you see the latest FOPPI merchandise, from stainless steel water bottles to ceramic coasters and mugs, original art, shirts, caps and more.

Attendees must pre-register to help Committee plan food and transportation. Please email Jude Kuenn ([email protected]) or call 920.734.8595 by Wednesday July 3rd, to reserve your spot. Space is limited to 60 passengers. A big thanks to Charlie Voight, who is again transporting folks aboard his Yankee Clipper. Food will be provided by Mann’s Store and donated by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and FOPPI Board.

If weather is inclement, meeting and lunch will be held in Washington Island’s Community Center. Cross your fingers for a bluebird sky with plenty of sunshine Saturday, July 13th!

Friends of Plum & Pilot Islands Forum - Spring 2019 Page 6 Fourth Annual Friends of Plum and Pilot Islands’ Sunset Cruise—Saturday, July 27th

Looking for a special Summer memory? Join our fourth annual Sunset Cruise on Saturday, July 27th!

Meeting at Island Clipper’s dock, 12731 Hwy. 42 in Gills Rock, at 5:30pm, leaving there promptly at 6:15pm, and returning around 9:00pm, the cruise features a beautiful sunset, the mellow music of Door County's own Jeanne Kuhns and George Sawyn, food catered by Jackson Harbor Soup of Washington Island, and all the beverages - wine, beer, soda, water - you’d care to enjoy. All for the incredible price of $100. Those who live on Washington Island, and attending the evening, can board the Island Clipper at Detroit Harbor at 5pm for a bonus trip to Gills Rock. Drop off to Washington Island will be provided after the cruise.

The Sunset Cruise is a critical fundraiser to help FOPPI work on restoring and preserving Plum Island’s iconic maritime treasures, buildings that helped guide immigrants through Death's Door, the narrow but dangerous waterway that gave the county its name.

There’s a solid rumor the evening will include a sunset. In previous years, attendees have also enjoyed eagles, pelicans, the ubiquitous cormorants and seagulls. If lucky, there could be a striking rainbow.

With music in the background, food and beverages in-hand, those on the cruise will enjoy seeing Garrett Bay before heading into Death's Door. The cruise will pass Plum Island’s rear range light (aka "the lighthouse"), approach Pilot Island, and experience the sunset as it leisurely passes behind the Plum Island Life-Saving / Coast Guard Station. Knowledgeable folks from both FOPPI and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service will be available to answer questions regarding the history of the islands as well as providing an update on the current status of historic restoration and wildlife preservation efforts.

"But wait, there is more!" There will also be a raffle on-board.

A real value at $100 per person, purchase tickets online at: https://www.plumandpilot.org/ This event sold-out in 2018.

Rain date is Saturday, August 3rd.

Friends of Plum & Pilot Islands Forum - Spring 2019 Page 7 Island Inspirations—Beacons to the Past on Plum Island by Bev Laurell I asked Fred Clint, Shack or fog-horn building on the northwest side of the who did his tour of island. The men all did maintenance on the range lights duty in the U.S. and related boat equipment, and kept the Light Keeper’s Coast Guard from Quarters docks secure. Coast Guard buoy tenders 1962-1964, what life anchored off shore, bringing fuel in 55-gallon drums that was like while had to be transferred to the island by the men. The duty serving on Plum was supposed to be 3-weeks on and one off; however, Island. Fred gave a sometimes when things got busy, it was 2-months on. wonderful snapshot Each man had a one-week assignment as the cook! When of his experiences. it was your turn, you planned menus, and were given He began with the money to purchase food, and then it was “Chef for a months of opera- Week.” tion, which were from April to November. Winter months were served at In the 2½ years Fred the Coast Guard Stations in Sturgeon Bay or Racine. served on Plum, he assisted in numerous Plum Island had 13 or 14 men stationed day and night sail and pleasure boat during operation and each man was qualified to run all the rescues, and a few boats at the station. All men stayed on the island except emergency calls from for 3 or 4 who returned to Washington Island to be with huge lake boats that their families in the evening. Two of the boats were 44 needed crewmen to be feet Iong, with one of them being a 360-degree boat, taken to the hospital meaning it “popped-up” when capsized by a wave. The after medical emergen- other boat was a smaller run-about to move men on and cies. I asked Fred if he off the island from nearby Northport, where there was a enjoyed the wildlife on dedicated phone line from the dock directly to the Radio the island, and he said, “They kept us pretty busy at our Shack to notify of arrivals. (The car ferry was located at stations to have much time for enjoyment.” He did say the Gills Rock during the 1960’s.) guys were all pretty close, and got along well, so I’ll bet there are some great stories hidden away. In addition to rescue, the boats Fred brought his family to see his duty station during a were used to fer- FOPPI annual meeting and picnic a few years ago. I know ry Coastguards- he was proud to show what we’re doing to preserve the men to nearby historic buildings and lights, and we are proud to tell your Chambers, Rock, story, Fred. and Washington Islands. Fred got Yours is a story of dedication to duty and service to the to explore the U.S.A. Thanks for allowing us to look back with you to a boat- working Plum Island house on one trip Coast Guard Station. and found a 1940’s Life Maga- zine with Shirley Temple on the cover! In addition to the passenger and car ferry boats passing the Life-Saving Station, tug boats came to the “Potato Dock” on the southwest side of Washington Island to take the produce grown on Washington Island to market in Chicago.

Fred was Plum Island’s Engineer, keeping the lights on and power to the generators. In addition to specialized duties, each man stood -4 8 hour watches at the Radio

Friends of Plum & Pilot Islands Forum - Spring 2019 Page 8 Light Lessons—Schooner Grape Shot Excerpted from Fast Sailers & Quick Sands: her helm as Master to trade between Lake Erie ports and Underwater Archaeological Investigations from Chicago. the 2015 Field Season Wisconsin Historical Society Before the opening of the 1856 shipping season, Charles Tamara L. Thomsen and Caitlin N. Zant Ensign sold a portion of his share in the vessel to Captain http://www.wisconsinshipwrecks.org/Files/2015% Squire Alexander of Buffalo. In addition to employment as 20Field%20Report%20Final.pdf a licensed merchant mariner, Alexander dabbled in ship- building, and vessel ownership. After his time with Grape In the spring of 1855, George W. Holt, key partner in the Shot, in 1861 Alexander became a bonafide Civil War hero firm Holt, Palmer & Co., forwarding agents of Buffalo, NY, as Master of the high-speed dispatch boat Governor at the along with Charles Ensign, Buffalo agent for the People’s bombardment of Fort Sumter (Bureau of Navigation Steamboat Line, commissioned the construction of two 1856a; Watrous 1909). identical schooners from renown shipbuilder Benjamin Buehl (B.B.) Jones from the yard at Buffalo (Buffalo Daily In mid-June 1856, Grape Shot grounded in the Niagara Republic 1855; Detroit Free Press 1855; Jewett, River, requiring her load to be lightened in order to be Thomas & Co.) freed. Damage to the vessel was estimated at $250 with an additional loss of $250 for the cargo (Buffalo Commer- B.B. Jones was the second son of Great Lakes’ pioneer cial Advertiser1857). The ship went back on the grain shipwright Augustus Jones. Born on 21 December 1809 at route and made regular round trips between Milwaukee Essex, CT, he learned the shipbuilding trade at his father’s or Chicago and Buffalo from June to September. While in side after the family relocated to Black Rock, OH in 1820 port at Chicago at the end of September, drunken sailors following the loss of the family’s shipyard at Essex by from Grape Shot and schooner Shepard got into a tussle in attack of British forces on 8 April 1814. a “house of ill fame” resulting in the stabbing death of a sailor named Sullivan of the Shepard by David McDonald, a crewmember of Grape Shot. McDonald was arrested and thrown in jail (Buffalo Daily Courier 1856a, 1856b, 1856c, 1856d, 1856e, 1856f, 1856g; Chicago Daily Tribune 1856; Weekly Wisconsin 1856a, 1856b).

On 9 October 1856, another change in ownership was announced, divided into equal third shares between Charles Ensign, George Holt, and Abe (surname illegible). Captain Caldwell remained Master (Bureau of Navigation 1856b). Despite the change in owners, Grape Shot contin- ued running grain from Milwaukee and Chicago to Buffalo. On her early December upbound trip carrying general Eliza Logan, a schooner built by B.B. Jones, with the same merchandise from Buffalo to Milwaukee, Grape Shot was specifications as Grape Shot and launched only 26 days after dismasted in a gale, losing her main boom, canvas, yawl Grape Shot. Photo courtesy of Bowling Green State University, boat, and her anchors. Damage to the vessel was estimat- Historical Collections of the Great Lakes. ed at $1,500. The storm also claimed her deck load of sugar, molasses, and oils owned by Milwaukee wholesale The vessels constructed for equal owners Holt and Ensign, dealers, a portion of the total $250,000 cargo aboard. were named Yankee Blade and Grape Shot. Yankee Blade Unable to make Milwaukee in contrary winds, the vessel launched on 11 September 1855, and was described as a floated helpless at the mercy of the waves and was picked well-fastened, fine-looking and staunch craft, a description up off Chicago. Grape Shot’s owners refused to risk the that similarly could be applied to her nearly identical loss of the vessel by sailing any later into the season in sister. Grape Shot launched about 10 days later and was order to bring the remaining merchandise in her hold to described as having one deck, two masts, and measured Milwaukee. They intended to let the goods remain aboard 131’ 6” in length, 28’ 7” in breadth, with a 10’ 10” depth until spring. By 10 December 1856, it was reported that of hold. Grape Shot was described as having a square stern the chartering company, American Transportation Co., had and eagle figurehead. Captain M. Caldwell was assigned to contacted lawyers to force their products to be delivered,

Friends of Plum & Pilot Islands Forum - Spring 2019 Page 9 Light Lessons—Schooner Grape Shot (cont’d) but the resulting actions are unknown (Buffalo Commercial ship into winter quarters there (Buffalo Daily Courier

Advertiser1857; Buffalo Daily Courier 1856h; Buffalo Daily 1859d). Republic 1856a, 1856b; Chicago Press 1856; Milwaukee Sentinel 1856; Weekly Wisconsin 1856c). On 2 February 1860, Captain Chandler penned another letter to Stafford reading,“ That for a few days in January It is assumed that repairs were made to the vessel over they had very pleasant weather; but with that exception, it winter lay-up. On 19 May 1857, Grape Shot arrived at has been extremely cold, and at the present time ice is Buffalo from her winter quarters in Chicago. By mid-June making nearly 1” per hour; the bay is entirely frozen over, Charles Ensign negotiated a buy-out of his partners to the snow about 3’ deep, and the ice in the Straits about become sole owner and a new enrollment was entered at 3’ thick.” Chandler reported although the number of men the Port of Buffalo on 25 June 1857 (Bureau of Navigation needed for seasonal cutting of lumber was down, the 1857). For the remainder of the season, a search of the prospects for getting the wood out of the forest was favorable owning to the great depth of snow, and Stafford historic records revealed only two trips. The low demand should consider trading there next season (Daily Press for cargo shipments was likely tied to the onset of the Tribune 1860a). According to a letter written on 24 Panic of 1857 (Buffalo Daily Courier 1857c, 1857d). February 1860, the cold weather and snow continued with their lowest temperatures reaching –17F. Provisions were With hard economic times continuing into 1858, and no running low and potatoes were scarce. Grape Shot demand for shipping services, Charles Ensign defaulted, remained laid up with her load of lumber and coal awaiting and the Clinton Bank of Buffalo took possession of the the opening of navigation Chicago( Tribune 1860a). 2-year-old, A1-rated schooner. The vessel sold for $12,000, a fraction of her value, to Captain John F. Stafford, partner By 15 March 1860, Grape Shot was being readied for in Stafford & Colburn of Chicago (Buffalo Daily Courier departure as soon as the ice would allow it. While 1858; Chicago Daily Tribune 1858; Hawes 1858). Captain attempting to cross the ice from shore to Grape Shot on 21 Daniel Chandler was assigned as Grape Shot’s new Master March, Stephen Doyle, a 25-year-old sailor from Chicago (Bureau of Navigation 1858). went through, and drowned despite every effort made to

save him. Grape Shot finally departed Grand Traverse Bay By 1859 the economy stabilized, and the on 27 March but ice forced them back to Beaver Island, MI. lumber industry enjoyed an upturn. Grape Shot moved They left there late on 29 March arriving into Chicago on 2 thousands of pounds of board lumber, shingles, wheat, April 1860 (Daily Press Tribune 1860b; Chicago Tribune rye and seed to Chicago from various Great Lakes ports. 1860b). 1860’s records log several trips throughout the

year, having carried corn and wheat, as well as coal. While en route on her October trip, on the 26th, Captain

Chandler spotted what later was determined to be the In 1861, Grape Shot made an August trip from Chicago to propeller Milwaukee of the American Transportation Co. flying distress signals while disabled mid-way across Buffalo in the record time of 4 days and 16 hours, receiving Saginaw Bay. Grape Shot passed within four miles of the accolades in local newsprint (Chicago Tribune 1862a). stranded vessel. Believing that another vessel to windward was on the way to lend assistance, Captain Chandler lost Grape Shot came out of winter quarters early in 1862. Her sight of the Milwaukee amidst the blowing snow of the first arrival was recorded at Chicago on 8 April 1862 with a gale and reported the ship’s predicament upon his arrival cargo of 1,000 railroad ties and 100 cords of wood from at Chicago (Chicago Tribune 1859b; Daily Press Tribune Grand River, MI. She cleared on 21 April with 20,000 1859d). bushels of oats for Buffalo Buffalo( Daily Courier 1862a, 1862b; Chicago Tribune 1862). No trips were recorded for En route to Chicago, Grape Shot was forced into Grand May. On 4 June, Grape Shot arrived at Buffalo from Traverse Bay by a storm bringing 14” of snow and causing Chicago with 20,000 bushels of rye, 1 cask of glassware, 26 the Straits of Mackinac to freeze over. She was carrying boxes of butter, and 650,000 board feet of lumber (Buffalo 137-tons of coal, along with 173,000 board feet of lumber. Daily Courier 1862c). Grape Shot made one trip each On 12 December 1859, Captain Chandler sent a letter to month with corn from Chicago to Buffalo in June, July, vessel owner, John Stafford, from Northport, MI to express August and September (Buffalo Daily Courier 1862d, his concern for the safety of the vessel working in the ice 1862e, 1862f, 1862g, 1862h, 1862i, 1862j, 1862k; Commer- fields, and to indicate he had made the decision to put the cial Times 1862a, 1862b, 1862c). While passing upbound of

Friends of Plum & Pilot Islands Forum - Spring 2019 Page 10 Light Lessons—Schooner Grape Shot (cont’d) Detroit en route on her return to Chicago from Buffalo on vessel passed Detroit downbound on 19 September 1867. 29 October 1862, Grape Shot had her jibboom carried During this trip, Owen Johnson, a sailor from the schooner away during a collision with an unknown vessel that was Grape Shot drowned while hooking on the yawl boat proceeding downbound. The latter vessel had her main- (Chicago Tribune 1867a; Detroit Free Press 1867). mast ripped free (Buffalo Daily Courier 1862l; Commercial Times 1862d). In the midst of a gale during the first few days of Novem- In 1863, lumber cargoes were said to be in good demand ber 1867, Grape Shot ground- and Grape Shot frequented Farr Mills in the Oconto River ed on the north side of Plum (Chicago Tribune 1863b, 1863c). Island not far from the site of her stranding in August 1866. 1865 found a new Master at Grape Shot’s helm, Captain She ran so far up on the rocks Foster. The change went unrecorded in Grape Shot’s that her bow was lifted four enrollment documents (Buffalo Courier & Republic 1865a; feet into the air. Fortunately, Buffalo Daily Courier 1865a, 1865b; Chicago Tribune no lives were lost. Initially it 1865b). was thought the schooner

While upbound, Grape Shot was forced into Detroit on 20 could be easily removed. June 1866, having survived a storm on Lake Huron that Newspapers published reports indicating the vessel had resulted in the loss of several of her sails and her outfit. sustained no damage. The tug Leviathan was sent from Many other vessels were disabled in the gale including the Chicago to pull the vessel free, but the salvage attempts bark D. Morris that lost both anchors, the schooner Goble failed and Grape Shot was declared a total loss. The pro- that lost her jibboom, the brig Orkney Lass that lost her peller George Dunbar arrived from Chicago to recover topsail, and total loss of Philena Mills with her cargo and Grape Shot’s cargo of 50,000 board feet of lumber and salt. crew (Buffalo Courier & Republic 1866a; Buffalo Daily Additionally, her rigging was removed and placed aboard Courier 1866a; Detroit Free Press 1866). the George Dunbar. Cargo and rigging was taken to Chica- go on 12 November (Chicago Tribune 1867e; Detroit Free Near the end of June 1866, Grape Shot came ashore at Press 1867; Door County Advocate 1867a, 1867b; Erie Daily , MI, resulting in damage to the vessel total- Dispatch 1867a, 1867b; Green Bay Advocate 1867). ing $1,800. The circumstances surrounding the grounding are unknown. By 7 July Grape Shot was reported to have Grape Shot was valued at $10,000 at the time of her loss. been freed, sustaining only minor damage (Buffalo Her hull was insured for $7,500 and she had a $7,000 Commercial Advertiser 1867; Buffalo Daily Courier1866b). insurance policy on her $9,000 cargo of lumber (Hall 1867). Grape Shot’s hull began to break up over the winter In early August, Grape Shot again grounded near Death’s months and the vessel was stripped of all deck equipment Door Passage. She struck a rock near Plum Island and was by mid-July 1868 (Door County Advocate 1868). held fast for four days before being towed off. She sustained $1,500 in damage (Buffalo Commercial Advertiser 1867; Door County Advocate 1866). On 1 October, Grape Shot collided with the schooner Milan that was loading at a dock in Buffalo. The accident carried away Milan’s jibboom (Buffalo Courier & Republic 1866e; Buffalo Daily Courier 1866c).

Grape Shot wintered over at Milwaukee, and took the time during lay-up for repairs at a local shipyard. A portion of her ceiling planking was removed in February 1867 in order to replace a broken hull frame. The repair cost $5,000 (Semi-Weekly Wisconsin 1867). The extensive repairs dropped her insurance rating to B1 (Hall 1867).

No records could be located for Grape Shot’s 1867 early season travels. A trip to the lower lakes was marked as the Site plan of the schooner Grape Shot, 2015.

Friends of Plum & Pilot Islands Forum - Spring 2019 Page 11 Book Review

Words on Water II, Island Journal 2017 by Richard Purinton Island Bayou Press Washington Island, Door County, Wisconsin

If you want to escape to an idyllic place, Washington Island it is! If you're unable to physically escape, grab this book -- you can go there in your mind.

The author, Richard Purinton, has lived on Washington Island most of his adult life, raised his children, grandchildren and mentored many young people in the community on this remote Lake Michigan island. This book of essays is a continuation of life on the small island he calls .

Readers get to 'meet' and share times with Purinton’s wife, children and grandchildren as they take on daily living in a community where everyone waves when you pass by and lost electronics are traced back and returned to their owners. We learn more about the ferry line that has been in his family for three generations and the wonderful men and women who make it run, regardless of weather, so the community can receive their mail, supplies and visitors.

Purinton invites the reader to join him as each day, the ferry departs, the town awakens, and life begins anew. Feel it. - Mary Beth Volmer

Stories from the Wreckage: A Great Lakes Maritime History Inspired by Shipwrecks by John Odin Jensen Photography by Tamara Thomsen Wisconsin Historical Society Press

Every shipwreck has a story that extends far beyond its tragic end. The dramatic tales of disaster, heroism and folly become even more compelling when viewed as junction points in history— connecting to stories about the frontier, the environment, immigration, politics, technology and industry.

In Stories from the Wreckage, John Odin Jensen examines a selection of Great Lakes shipwrecks of the wooden age for a deeper dive into this transformative chapter of maritime history. He mines the archaeological evidence and historic record to show how their tragic ends fit in with the larger narrative of Midwestern history.

Featuring the underwater photography of maritime archaeologist Tamara Thomsen, this vibrant volume is a must-have for shipping Available May 2019 enthusiasts as well as anyone interested in the power of water to shape history.

Friends of Plum & Pilot Islands Forum - Spring 2019 Page 12 Our Supporters and Memberships

Door County’s Original and Oldest Sightseeing Cruises! https://shorelinecharters.net/

Historic Hotel Washington and Studio is 920.421.0922 rooted in the Island experience. Open year-round, there are eight charming second-floor rooms to choose from. 920.847.3010

Above: the bilge of Grape Shot and the fallen centerboard trunk. Left: An archaeologist records the starboard side hull of the schooner in 2015.

Our Distinguished Business Supporters

FOPPI is an affiliate of the Wisconsin State Historical Society (https://www.wisconsinhistory.org/), a member of the Washington Island Chamber of Commerce (https://washingtonisland.com/), the Door County Histori- cal Society (https://www.doorcountyhistoricalsociety.org/), the National Trust for Historic Preservation (https://savingplaces.org/) and U.S. Life-Saving Service Heritage Association ([email protected])

Friends of Plum & Pilot Islands Forum - Spring 2019 Page 13 NotesOur of Donors Gratitude After 35 years of fellowship, recreation and service to members, the Washington Island Yacht Club voted to dissolve their organization.

Each club member was allowed an opportunity to vote on how the remaining funds were to be distributed. Friends of Plum and Pilot Islands were chosen as one of the recipients of the Club’s assets.

To the out-going members of WIYC, please accept our gratitude for your generosity and support. We will carry on in your Club’s spirit, using FOPPI volunteers spent March 8-10 promoting the these funds to engage natural beauty of the Green Bay National Wildlife in activities beneficial Refuge at Rutabaga’s Canoecopia in the Alliant Energy to the community of Center, Madison. It is the largest paddlesports Washington Island and consumer exhibit in the world. its neighbors, preserv- ing the maritime Left to right: Kim, Jude, Patti, Paul and Mary Beth (not history of Plum and pictured) spoke with many folks over the weekend, Pilot Islands. raising awareness about Plum and Pilot Islands. Booth visitors learned about the Refuge, FOPPI’s mission, and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. See you at next year’s Canoecopia, March 13-15, 2020.

Donors—We thank you!

The work done on the Green Bay National Wildlife Refuge is funded in part by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) and the Friends of Plum and Pilot Islands (FOPPI).

The USFWS relies on funds allocated through their annual budget. They are unable to apply for grants or solicit donations. That’s why government agencies often partner with non-profit entities like us.

Through you, FOPPI has been able to work on projects that benefit the island buildings and grounds. We have developed programs like Women in Preserva- tion and Environmental Education to introduce children and young adults to the natural resources on the island.

These projects and programs could not be possible without your financial support, that of our local friends and followers. Your donations and inspiration help us to preserve and restore this important part of our heritage within the Green Bay National Wildlife Refuge. We thank you! Organizations: Elizabeth Kohl Amazon Smile Robert Lindahl PayPal Giving Fund Thrivent Funds Donation jar from Twin Cities United Way (Karen Ellery) Canoecopia Washington Island Yacht Club

Friends of Plum & Pilot Islands Forum - Spring 2019 Page 14 Friends of Plum and Pilot Islands Membership Form

Your membership entitles Date ______Email Newsletter? ______Yes

you to receive: Name ______• FOPPI Forum newsletter • Invitation to FOPPI Annual Address ______

Meeting City/State/Zip ______• Opportunity to volunteer Phone ______on the islands Email ______FOPPI is a 501c(3) Charitable Organization. Your gift is tax deductible, as provided by law. Membership Categories: $30 Individual Please make your check payable to: $50 Family—2 or more people Friends of Plum & Pilot Islands $75 Patron Donor P.O. Box 61 $100 Keeper Donor Washington Island, WI 54246 $1,000 Benefactor (Lifetime) * Additional Contribution ______Or Donate Online at www.plumandpilot.org/donate Are you interested in volunteering on the islands? FOPPI is enrolled in the PayPal Giving Fund. ______

As a PayPal Giving Fund charity, consider In what area? adding “Plum and Pilot” to your favorites in ______your eBay account. You’ll be prompted to

donate when buying or selling on eBay. ______

The Friends of Plum and Pilot Islands, Inc. (FOPPI) was established in 2007 to preserve the unique island ecosystems and foster partnerships to preserve its heritage for future generations.

Your membership dues and charitable gifts help to restore and preserve the historical maritime structures on these islands and support education in The Friends of Plum and Pilot Islands the areas of conservation, natural history and environmental protection. welcomes these new members:

Members who receive our quarterly newsletter, the • Michael Dedek, Willowbrook, IL FOPPI Forum, are invited to attend the annual meeting, join us in seasonal clean-up, trail mainte- • John Hermanson and Chris Zimonick, nance, invasive species removal, and light repair Sturgeon Bay, WI work. • Bill and Sandy Moore, Appleton, WI Whatever your interest, there are projects and events that will benefit from your talent and • Kim and David Schanock, Oneida, WI support! • Donald Whiteman, Northfield, IL The Friends of Plum and Pilot Islands is a 501(c)3 non -profit corporation. Contributions are tax deductible • Kathy Woodward, Chatham, NJ to the extent allowed by law.

Friends of Plum & Pilot Islands Forum - Spring 2019 Page 15 Is it time to renew your membership? Your mailing label includes your membership expiration date above your name. If you find your membership has expired, please renew using the membership form on page 15, and mail it along with your payment to: FOPPI, P.O. Box 61, Washington Island, WI 54246. Thanks for helping save on the cost of mailing renewal reminders!

Friends of Plum and Pilot Islands, Inc. Help Us Be Green P.O. Box 61 With Newsletters: Washington Island, WI 54246

The FOPPI Forum newsletter is printed and mailed four times a year. To help save paper, printing, and postage expenses, please consider receiving your newsletter as a PDF via email. Previous newsletters are available on our website to download or read.

Contact Jean Fox at [email protected]

The mission of the Friends of Plum and Pilot Islands is to work cooperatively with U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to support the goals of preservation, restoration, maintenance and contemporary use of the lighthouses, accessory buildings, structures and other historic resources on Plum and Pilot Islands. To conserve and protect wildlife resources, while providing opportunities for quality wildlife-dependent recreation.

FRIENDS OF PLUM AND PILOT ISLANDS, INC. Volunteer Team Members: (* denotes Team Leader) President: Mary Beth Volmer • Environmental Education: Tim Sweet* Secretary: Karen Ellery • Fundraising: Mary Beth Volmer*, Matt Foss, Rip Koken Treasurer: Amy Lesnjak • Governance: Gary Wilson* • Historic Preservation & Restoration: Paul Schumacher*, Lew Clarke, Board of Directors: Frank Forkert, Kim Krueger, Scott Nelson, Hoyt Purinton, John Sawyer • Mike Brodd John Sawyer Marketing: Patti Zarling*, Jake Heffernan, Bev Laurell, Gordon Vieth • Lew Clarke Paul Schumacher Membership: Mary Beth Volmer*, Jean Fox, Christie Kleinowski, Mike Brodd, Jim Schwartz, Scott Nelson, Sally Dery, Bob and Sue Griem Amanda Danforth Jim Schwartz • Merchandising: Amanda Danforth*, Barb Jacobs, Amy Lesnjak Matt Foss Gordon Vieth • Newsletter: Jude Kuenn*, Bev Laurell, David Stack, Patti Zarling Jude Kuenn Gary Wilson • Special Events: Mike Brodd (Sunset Cruise), Kim Krueger and Dan Nilsson Patti Zarling Patti Zarling (Explore Plum Island) Hoyt Purinton • Strategic Planning: Dan Nilsson*, Rip Koken, Mary Beth Volmer, Emeritus Directors: Gary Wilson, Tim Sweet, Amy Lesjnak, Karen Ellery • Volunteer Coordinator: Jim Schwartz*, Bob and Sue Griem Frank Forkert Scott Nelson • Women in Preservation: Mary Beth Volmer*, Karen Ellery, Amy Lesjnak, Eric Greenfelt Tim Sweet Amanda Danforth, Jude Kuenn, Sally Dery, Bev Laurell, Patti Zarling, Kim Krueger, Barb Jacobs

Friends of Plum & Pilot Islands Forum - Spring 2019 Page 16