SEPTEMBER • DECEMBER, 1998 Volume XLVI; Number 3 MEMBERSHIP NOTES
Dated 3 August 1998
From C. Patrick Labadie Lake Superior Maritime Visitors Center U.S. ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS
It is announced with deep regret that maritime historian Robert J. MacDonald passed away at his home in Erie, Pennsylvania on Saturday, August 1 following a long bout with cancer. Bob MacDonald was a native of Northeast, Pennsylvania, were he was bom June 19, 1930. He was a Lakes sailor and a descendant of Lakes sailors, his grandfather, Donald Sutherland MacDonald having commanded the McBrier steamers NYANZA and SEVONA in the last years of the 19th and the first years of the present century. Bob served as an A.B. seaman on the Interlake steamers PATHFINDER, ODANAH, HARRY R. JONES, J.L. MAUTHE, and SAMUEL MATHER plus Pittsburgh's PHILIP R. CLARKE and Cleveland Cliffs' CLIFF VICTORY. From 1956 until his retirement 25 years later, Bob was manager of the bookstore and Adjunct Instructor in continuing education at Behrend College in Erie, the local campus for Penn State University. He was an avid collector and researcher, and he prepared numerous lectures, slide talks, and articles on Great Lakes history. His articles were published in the Great Lakes Maritime Institute's Telescope magazine and the Great Lakes Historical Society's well-known journal Inland Seas. He was named Great Lakes Historian of the Year in 1987 by the Marine Historical Society of Detroit. In 1996 he collaborated with writer David Frew to produce Home Port Erie, a fine pictorial maritime history of Erie. It was at that time, too, that he gifted his extensive collection of books, notes, photographs, and reminiscences to the Erie County Historical Society. Bob is survived by his wife of 36 years, Maijorie, daughters Karen and Sarah, son Donald, and five grandchildren.
CONTENTS • Sailing M em ories...... gy Mid Lake Huron Collision - 1959 Port Huron-to-Mackinac R ace ...... Reflections Of A Wheelsman...... 90 The Night the Wilmette Went Ashore ...... 94 Labour Strife Rocks Port of Wallaceburg 50 Years Ago ...... 98 With Three Straight Gold Cups, Dave Villwock is in Good Company 102 Great Lakes & Seaway News...... Edited by James Morris {(H
OUR COVER PICTURE ... "COMING TO THE LINE" - Start of 1997 Port Huron to Mackinac Race. John Polacsek, curator of Dossin Museum, took this photo from the official start boat.
Telescope© is produced with assistance from the Dossin Great Lakes Museum, an agency of the Historical Department of the City of Detroit.
Published at Detroit, Michigan by the GREAT LAKES MARITIME INSTITUTE ©All rights reserved. Printed in the United States by Macomb Printing, Inc. Dossin Museum Collection majesty of the Upper Peninsula coastline. We are all very fortunate to live and sail here. sail and live to fortunate very all are forested the We or coastline. Michigan Lake over Peninsula sunrise a Upper enjoyed the has of who majesty anyone Ask unparalleled. is waterways Michigan State's Office, more than any other state in the nation. We have the world's longest freshwater shoreline, which shoreline, freshwater longest world's the have We nation. the in state other any than more Office, State's 100iln ae,Mcia i te niptdfehwtrrcetoa mcao h wrd h bat of beauty The world. the of mecca recreational fresh water undisputed the is lakes, Michigan 11,000 inland is a lifelong pursuit rich with rewards, and I'm not talking about trophies and prize money. Racing involves involves water. the Racing off and on money. life my prize and enriched have trophies which about skills talking practice, not and sailor I'm better a and concentration Becoming rewards, teamwork, with competitor. and rich sailor pursuit better a lifelong become to a me is challenges one each and different is race new navigation equipment create new challenges for sailors. It also is a sport for a lifetime, which is why I look I look why is come. to which races lifetime, a for sport a Mackinac is also more It sailors. many for to forward challenges new create equipment navigation new hr' n ytr a t h otn i ihgn s o oua.Wt h GetLks n mr than more and Lakes Great the With popular. so is in Michigan boating why to as no mystery There's Our state truly is a boater's paradise. There are more than 900,000 watercraft on file with the Secretary of of Secretary the with file on watercraft 900,000 than more are There paradise. boater's a is truly state Our Competitive sailing is a mentally intensive and physically demanding sport, which is why I love it. Every Every it. love I why is which sport, demanding physically and intensive mentally a is sailing Competitive Sailing is a sport that is continually evolving. Innovations in sail and hull design, lighter, faster boats, and and boats, faster lighter, design, hull and sail in Innovations evolving. continually is that sport a is Sailing Sailing Memories Sailing CANDICE S. MILLER MILLER S. CANDICE Secretary of State of Secretary by by provides boaters with a little of everything. everything. of little a with boaters provides excitement of a city, you'll find it along Michigan Michigan along it metropolitan find the you'll city, a of or excitement towns waterfront charming of nature, splendor untamed the enjoy you Whether the Port Huron-to-M ackinac race. One of the the of One race. ackinac Huron-to-M Port in the compete to crew all-female first pleased the was with sail to 1970,1 In races. in competing began to how learned I remember. can I as long as for family my of a part been have boats and sailing that waterways. 40-foot 40-foot coast. western Huron's Lake follows which course, Shoreline 235-mile traditional course the or Island choose Cove mile must 259-nautical Boats the race. between two-day a Huron-to- is Port the Mackinac races, yacht premiere world's I before long wasn't it and girl, young a as sail race in the Mackinac. It's clear to see that sailing sailing that see to clear It's Mackinac. the in race the aboard me several with past crewed the has father For my race. years, ackinac Huron-to-M together. You can have a boat with the best best the with boat a have can You work to together. along, get to learn to have You members. crew among develops that camaraderie the is most blood. our in is also brother-in-law and brother My July. this again but you can control the sails. the control can you but wind the control can't you that saying old an There's another. one on rely must you yet a crew, form can personalities diverse most The races. the wins that teamwork it's but available, equipment navigation With all our state has to offer, it's no surprise surprise no it's offer, to has state our all With This year will mark my twenty-second Port Port twenty-second my mark will year This One of the aspects of racing that I love the the love I that racing of aspects the of One Ricochet, and we will be racing together together racing be will we and A UUT 1998 • MAY AUGUST, ae 87 Page TELESCOPE Page 88
MID LAKE HURON COLLISION 1959 PORT HURON to MACKINAC RACE
by Wm. C. Saunders
As a youth, I watched, with envy, the annual Sunday dawned bright with a steady S.E. wind. migration of sailboats up the St. Clair River, past I was at the helm around 11:00 a.m. and noticed Marine City, to participate in the Port Huron to another sloop, slightly astern and about 1 mile east. Mackinac race. I hoped that someday I would have Our course was roughly 341° . The other boat, the the opportunity to sail in the race aboard one of those only one in sight, was on a more NNW converging magnificent boats. That chance came in 1959 with an course that offered her a slight speed advantage but invitation to crew on the Windquest, a 40' sloop out of required tacking. When the helm was turned over to South Haven and owned by Dr. Donald Sargent and my relief at noon, the other boat had closed to 1/2 W. J. Hoover. mile. I went below, climbed into the top port bunk After the traditional Friday night of revelry among and fell asleep. Suddenly, I was thrown out of the the 86 boats rafted on the Black River, the race began bunk to the sound of a shuddering "bang" followed shortly after noon the following day. Our class, by shouting from the cockpit, the rattle of rigging Cruising C, crossed the starting line around 3:00 p.m. and the slapping of sails. A glance through the The last to start was the racing class featuring the overhead skylight revealed another sail next to our legendary 87' yawl Sabre. By 6:30 p.m. the Sabre was mainsail. Bounding up to the cockpit I was startled seen moving ahead of the entire fleet! The Sabre is to see another sailboat held fast to our starboard side another story in itself. by dangled stays. We quickly let go our halyards to Free Free Press Photo by JIMMY TAFOYA
Port Huron's Black River is seams with Mackinac hopefuls Times Herald Staff Photo Club's Port Huron to Mackinac race. Mackinac to Huron from Port Club's racer 87-foot Sabre, the and a usually is event attraction, sports any e in prim ENTRY "BIGGEST" THE into Lake Huron at the start of the annual Bay View Yacht Yacht View Bay annual the of start the at northward Huron big heads she as Lake Brotz' into canvas Roman heavy Here under shown is exception. vessel no is Wis., Sheboygan, the normal wind, caused the the caused wind, normal the a te ewr ba, hc gv hr h right-of- the her gave which boat, leeward the the was Since impact. the by beam-end the her on time, the at topside those to We stem. the of free completely almost pulled been simply boat other The disengaged. soon boats two The hitting the the hitting spilling wind from However, bow. our crossed and port to slackened, sails as our the momentarily When slowed we race. water open in tactic long, a foolish a sails; her from wind the stealing of the alongside a protest was filed against the offending 39' sloop sloop 39' offending the against filed was a protest where Island Mackinac to way the of rest the motored had bobstay The That us. for over bobstay. was and race stem The it. the settled inspect to side the over I went forestay. and bowsprit the to confined appeared nothing. did sight, in else one no man and one only cockpit the with in boat, other The down. came tugged it as and genoa banged the contain to boats forward I went other. each two against the as sails our drop sailed off with no one but the lone helmsman in sight. in helmsman lone the but one no with off sailed Via. I don't recall the outcome. the recall don't I Re-constructing the incident, the the incident, the Re-constructing Our first priority was to assess the damage which which damage the assess to was priority first Our ra Via's Fria SABRE OFF AND RUNNING' AND OFF SABRE Fria Via Fria Windquest sail, combined with re-exposure to to re-exposure with combined sail, as she crossed our bow. According According bow. our crossed she as with the apparent intention intention apparent the with Windquest Fria Via Fria ra Via Fria abruptly turned turned abruptly Fria Via Fria to shoot ahead ahead shoot to was rolled rolled was Windquest pulled pulled Fria
port, his evasive action was too late. The Coast Coast The late. too was action evasive his port, Mackinac Island far ahead of the others, but did did but others, the of ahead far Island with Mackinac day clear bright a on visibility! sight, unlimited in boats two only the between Huron, Lake of middle in the occur last the the until by course Surprised his moment. held helmsman her way, continue on under power. under on being continue to us left After they Water, on scene. taking not the were we on assured arrived quickly Guard not win, being the only boat not handicapped. not boat only the being win, not few who enjoyed the thrill of sailing across the the across sailing of thrill the very those enjoyed of who few passing the as well as whitehalls and double-enders small the of disappearance the sailed fast! remarkably boats were and conditions These rudder. a for stern the reach sail by controlled was centerboard Direction with rudder. or equipped were None catboat. un were Masts rowboats. type "Whitehall" or enroute. gunnels often the on bail to side either on with pause back slight a and Ontario Sombra, to was east course mile the usual The the beam. the against on and blowing current being wind waves south the sizeable by with created ride wet a usually mph 4 to up the of spite in point return starting to his sailor to the allowed it since critical was few wind south a The sailing. go who and sails rig sprit step their ere could City w they so wind Marine south brisk a there for around waited River, locals lair C adventurous St. the on St. Clair River in a stiff south wind. south stiff a in River Clair St. primitive rather these under well surprisingly over hung be could oar an pinch, a In aft. and fore crew man two or one the of shift weight and a of manner the in forward stepped and stayed the over came that water of amount significant was it underway, Once current. south-bound 16' or 17' open, "clinker" style, double-enders double-enders style, "clinker" open, 17' or 16' on the St. Clair RiverClair St. the on Small Craft Sailing Craft Small Oh yes, the legendary legendary the yes, Oh can collision a how remarkable indeed, is, It The sport died out by the mid 1950's with with 1950's mid the by out died sport The 15', built, locally were themselves boats The pastime a major never was sailing Although m . Saunders C. Wm. by by ra Via's Fria A AGS, 1998 •AUGUST, MAY Sabre abrupt turn to to turn abrupt arrived at at arrived ae 89 Page
TELESCOPE Page 90
Reflections Of A Wheelsman
by Dr. Roy G. Hayward D.D.S. (deceased) Edited by stepson Capt. Richard Walker
I was born in St. Clair, MI on February 4, 1888, Star of the Northern Steamship Co. Previously he to Susan Low Hayward and Capt. George W. Hayward. was 3rd mate, then 1st mate on the Northland, and St. Clair was a small town with very little industry, so 2nd mate on the Northwest. They were two passenger boys growing up looked to sailing for a livelihood. Most boats owned by the Great Northern Railroad. There of the male townspeople were sailors, including my were also six package freighters of that same father, so I naturally looked to sailing. I remember, as company - the Northern King, Northern Queen, a little fellow sitting on my fathers lap, I learned to Northwind, Northern Wave, Northlight, and North "box a compass". As a lad, the St. Clair River was our Star. I think this was about 1902. playground. I learned to swim early, fact is I can't The summer I was 14 years old, I worked as remember when I couldn't swim. Porter on the North Star. I peeled potatoes, scrubbed By the time I reached 14 years old, dad had floors, made beds, at $30 per month. The next three become a Captain. His first big steel boat was the North summer vacations I was fireman on the steam yacht Dossin Dossin Museum Collection
NORTH STAR of 1888 in foreground at Buffalo MAY •AUGUST, 1998 Page 91 Dossin Dossin Museum Collection
The J.M. JENKS of the Gilchrist Fleet
Iona, owned by Capt. Rice of St. Louis. The Iona was come at once. I did so, took a train from Detroit to 82' long, had a triple expansion steam engine and Chicago, then transfer to a train for Duluth. I had a burned hard coal. She carried a crew of four, a captain, lower berth and slept with most of my clothes on. a deck hand (also did the cooking), a chief engineer, They paid me $9 per week, but it cost me $15 per and a fireman. Capt. Rice had a summer home on the week to live. I got a room in a boarding house and river and the Iona was docked there. The summer I since the room was lit by gas, I went to bed in the graduated from the St. Clair High School, the Iona was dark because I didn't know how to light the light. laid up in early September, so dad gave me a job as The next morning, a lady at breakfast offered to show watchman on the North Star. me how to light the light. My roommate was a man I made two trips from Buffalo to Duluth as a look named Fleckenstein, who worked at the Lyceum out. We were to leave Buffalo at 10 p.m. on a certain Theatre. He gave me a job 2 nights a week at NO night with a partial load, and the wheelsman on the PAY, but at least I saw the show. first watch came down to board the boat and he was In 1908 my girl Era and my sister Blanche were drunk. The mate Ivar Rolsing told him to get his clothes graduating from St. Clair High School. Era and I and get out! Then he turned to me and said "Roy, put had gotten pretty serious, but she said she didn't want your clothes in the wheelsmans' room, you're the new me to be a sailor. My mother didn't want me to be a wheelsman". I was stunned! I had steered the boat in sailor either. I was finally convinced my future lay the lake at night, but never in the rivers or going into in a different direction. Dad was sailing the J.M. port. I told the mate of my lack of experience, but he Jenks of the Gilchrist Fleet that season. I saw him said "never mind, we'll take care of that." I went to in Detroit and he advised me to sail thru the summer dad and told him what had happened and that I was so I could earn money for school. Dad had a full afraid of the job. Dad said "don't worry, just do what crew, but also at the dock was the E.A.S. Clarke of the mate said, he's your boss." So the first trip in the the Mitchell Fleet. I knew the mate Tom Conlin, rivers, the mate was with me. I made 3 trips as a checked with him and found they needed a wheelsman, then we laid up in Buffalo December 15th, wheelsman. The Captain was Jimmie Lowe. and I went home. April 15th I returned to Buffalo to I soon found the steering wheel apparatus was "fit out." I put in a full season. the worst I had ever seen. The steering engine was During that season we had a passenger, a man back in the fantail, with steel cables leading to the from Duluth, who was an executive of Marshall Wells, wheel. It took a lot of strength to move the wheel. a wholesale hardware company. He urged me to come As a result, my partner and I had our suitcases to Duluth and learn the hardware business. Just before packed to leave the boat at Cleveland. The Captain Christmas, I received a letter from him urging me to got wind of our departure, and promised to have the TELESCOPE Page 92
■— ff*3T Dossin Dossin Museum Collection
The E.A.S. CLARKE of the Mitchell Fleet on one of many trips to Cleveland. steering repaired, if we would stay. We agreed. The anchor to inspect the damage, which fortunately, steering was repaired, we took on a load of coal and was all above the waterline. From then on we headed for Cleveland. In the middle of Lake Erie, the steered from the hurricane deck, and went back to wheel jammed. There I was, in the pilothouse ALONE. Marine City for repairs. The yard people had to The Captain was sleeping off a drunk, the mate and telephone Cleveland for a repair man and parts for the rest of the crew were scrubbing the boat in the the steering engine. We had quite a few passengers stem. I quickly ran over to the Capt, cabin and stomped on board and they were frightened. As it turned out, on the floor. He came out of his cabin like a lion. He only temporary repairs were made, and we headed got the steering gear fixed again, but it was still terribly for Cleveland. The wheel was still very hard to turn. hard to move. When we hit Cleveland, my partner and I got off as Our next trip north we put into Two Harbors for quickly as possible. I went to the Union Hall and a load of ore. Coming down thru the Soo locks, the learned the Amaza Stone needed a watchman. So I fog set in. When we blew 3 whistles, there was a bevy signed on. I'm sure it helped that my uncle was the of 5 whistles. When we pulled alongside the Goodyear, mate. Capt. Baired hollered over "Jimmie, are you crazy or Summer of 1909 - the first half I was just plain drunk?" How we got thru that bunch of wheelsman on the St. Paul with Capt. Ivan Rolson. boats unscathed I'll never know. All the way down Capt. Rolson moved over to command the Northern Lake Huron the wheel was acting badly. When we Queen and he took me with him, where I finished cleared into the St. Clair River, I got breakfast and the rest of the summer. went to bed. I was so afraid we were headed for The summer of 1910 there were very few boats trouble, I laid with my feet to the "skin" of the boat, out, but Capt. Arnold Morse took me with him to instead of my head. When we passed the head of fit out the Sonora of the Tomlinson Fleet. We picked Harsen's Island, I heard an awful crash, then the "skin" up a load of coal at Toledo to take to Superior, began to crumble, almost on top of me. What Wis. When we got to Superior, we received orders happened??? Our steering gear jammed just as we to lay up, discharging the crew. I had $7.00 to my were passing the D.G. Kerr and her suction pulled us name. The Joshua Rhodes was in port so I asked over and we hit the starboard quarter. We dropped for a job. Billy Hamilton, the mate, said he wished MAY ‘AUGUST, 1998 Page 93
he had known I was out of a job. He had just hired a man and he was uptown getting his clothes. I threw my hat on the bunk and said "that's my job". The Joshua Rhodes was a wonderful boat. The Captain, Capt. Ennis was a great man. Soon after Capt. Ennis was transferred to the B.F. Jones and he took me with him. I made three trips on the Jones that summer. Dr. Hugo Ewart of St. Clair had continually encouraged me to become The JOSHUA W. RHODES after leaving Superior, Wisconsin a dentist. Both my girl and my mother urged me to give up the sea. So, after the 3rd trip, with great reluctance, I packed up and was off to Ann Arbor to become a dentist. Part of me always longed for the sea, and the thrill of steering a laker. But I never regretted the move. I became a dentist, and practiced in Algonac for over 50 years before retiring. I enjoyed every minute of it, with my beloved river close at hand. McDonald McDonald Collection, Dossin Museum J p Wells flle- Dossin Museum Collection
The SONORA of the Tomlinson Fleet on its way with coal from Toledo to Superior, Wisconsin TELESCOPE Page 94
WMM
by GEORGE R. WERTHMANN
Reprinted from Telescope JULY • AUGUST, 1974
The author was, at the time of the story which follows, Yeo converted to a Navel training ship, was stationed at man 2/c, USNR. He was honorably discharged on December the Navel Armory at the foot of Chicago’s Randolph 22, 1945. To remember all of the crew of the USS Wilmette St. She was engaged in daily training missions in after 31 years would be impossible, so many names are not included in the narrative, but the compliment of officers in both air and surface gunnery for Armed Guard crews cluded: J. R. Ross, Lieutenant Commander, commanding later transferred to U.S. merchant ships, engaged in officer; J. G. Maxwell, Lieutenant Commander, executive wartime transport. We would leave Chicago in the officer; William Bondesen, Lieutenant, navigator; G. Grosch, early morning with approximately 12 gun crews, ten retired, engineering officer; H. T. Kramer, Lieutenant, deck to the crew with an Ensign or Lieutenant j.g. as gun officer; and others that memory forces us to omit. All were members of the United States Navel Reserve. crew commander; steam across Lake Michigan to the Michigan side, off the sand dunes area where, in In the summer of 1943, with the world deep in an area designated for the purpose, the fledgling the second World War, the USS Wilmette (IX-29) gunners could fire-away in practice sessions that formerly the excursion boat S. S. Eastland, by then usually were of one day’s duration. Dossin Dossin Museum Collection
The EASTLAND was involved in the Lakes' worst tragedy at a cost of 835 lives in 1915. After three years of idleness she was taken by the Navy and converted into a training vessel in 1918, and was commissioned as USS WILMETTE in 1919. MAY •AUGUST, 1998 Page 95
One summer evening in 1943, just after we had the Hon. Harry Hopkins, Secretary of State James taken on a load of fuel oil and a fresh supply of F. Byrnes, Admiral Ross T. McIntyre, Chief of the ammunition consisting of 4.50" shells and 40mm and Navy Bureau of Medicine and Surgery, a Mr. Wilson various machine gun rounds, when an unmistakable Brown, F.D.R.’s secretary, Miss Grace Tully, and undercurrent of excitement seemed to envelop the ship. many others who held positions warranting almost It wasn’t long before all hands knew the source of it. daily mention in the papers of the day. The host for Captain Ross had received sealed orders from higher this trip was Commander E. F. McDonald, USN (ret.) authority to steam to the Navel Training Station at Great who was the president of R.C.A., and owner of the Lakes, Illinois, with the existing ship’s company, and yacht Mizpah . . . a picture of which hung in the there pick up additional personnel. Following this we Armory office of Captain Ross in Chicago. went across the lake to a Michigan port, (and I think it The Presidential party arrived by train on the was St. Joseph, although I can’t remember with Canadian Pacific. The general superintendent of the certainty) where we picked up two additional boats. It railway was also in the party. There were also was rumored the boats belonged to either the Loeb or officials of the Baltimore & Ohio Railway present. Leopold families, although I don’t remember that the Public relations were being run by Lieutenant Jack rumor was ever confirmed. Manley, USNR. Dossin Dossin Museum Collection
The WILMETTE as she appeared after conversion to a Naval Training Vessel, and the way she appeared at the time of the 1943 trip.
Now, with an extra compliment of men, and two It was quite early the following morning when boats on board, we went north to Mackinac Island. Here the executive officer assigned boat crews to our two Capt. Ross opened his orders... we were to proceed to Navy liberty boats; a bow-hook man, an engineer, a rendezvous point near the Missisagi Straits where and coxswain. I was a yeoman, but because of my we took on a pilot, a Capt. McGregor. The next stop previous boating experience out of Bayview Yacht was at Little Current, Ontario, and from there we went Club, in Detroit, the exec had me standing to McGregor Bay where we dropped anchor, and soon quartermaster watches, both at anchor and underway. learned the reason for all the secrecy. Our ship, ships On this particular venture the exec wanted as many company and the ships boats were to accompany and men in the ship’s company as could to accompany serve none other than President Franklin D. Roosevelt the Presidential party. I was assigned as a bow-hook on a fishing vacation in these waters! Accompanying man. the President on this trip was Admiral William Leahy, We left the ship and proceeded to the dock TELESCOPE Page 96
where we were to pick up the Presidential fishing party. Chicago. Lt. Commander McDonald, who was When we arrived at the dock we made fast and awaited retired from the Navy and dressed in civies, escorted their arrival. We had waited but a short time when a the party in his boat Mizpah. This boat was a newly jeep arrived, and in it, looking exactly as he had been acquired smaller craft than her namesake whose pictured so many times was Mr. Roosevelt with his portrait hung in Commander Ross’ Chicago office. cigarette holder clenched in his teeth at a jaunty angle, Then there was another cruiser called Anna H., which wearing an undistinguished fishing hat, and his completed the fishing party that appeared to be an seemingly ever-present smile. His jeep was driven by interlude on the President’s way to meet Winston a Navy chief petty officer who, after F.D.R. had greeted Churchill in Quebec later in the month. his committee on the dock, alighted, walked around The trip didn’t lack its moments of excitement, the jeep, picked up the president, and carried him to and one of them came at the end of a day after we the ship’s boat. Here he put the President in his seat in had returned to the Wilmette. Lt. Jack Manley the boat where he remained for the rest of the day, scrambled up the ship’s ladder in an obviously fishing and reading. agitated state. It seemed that somebody had Late in the afternoon we returned and in a reversal apparently lost the day’s catch before the Presidential of the earlier procedure, F.D.R. was lifted out of the party had a chance to measure and weigh the catch boat and carried to his jeep. to prove who caught the biggest fish! I do not know In my boat, in addition to the President, were to this day how he lied his way out of that one. Jimmie Bymes and Admiral Leahy. Both caught many I am unable to recall any of the dates of the fish which for reasons best known to them they chose adventure, but by Sunday morning the Presidential to refer to as snakes. party was gone and we had the day for ourselves. The waters we fished in. . .McGregor Bay, as I After going into Little Current to attend church, we recall, had many islands, and as we approached those returned to the Wilmette where we fished, and did islands secret service men would suddenly appear and some swimming. I dove off the ship into the bay, wave to the President. All of the cottages had both ignorant of the temperature of the water, and darned Canadian and American flags flying. near suffered a cardiac arrest...the water was so cold We suffered a good many casualties to propellers that had I been drowning I’d have been unable to hitting pinnacles or rock formations in these, to us, call for help. But, after moving about for a while, strange waters, but this was of no consequence for the the water was exhilarating. Later in the day the ship’s Navy had planes flying spares in overnight from cook cooked our catch and it was excellent. Dossin Dossin Museum Collection
A final conversion cost the WILMETTE one of her stacks in the late years of World War II. In 1946 she was sold out of service and scrapped in October of that year. MAY •AUGUST, 1998 Page 97
Understandably, the ship’s officers had been under The ship’s engines were put in reverse...black quite a strain. You can imagine the effect upon a group smoke poured from the stacks, but to no avail. The of Naval Reserves from being under the eyes of the engines were not equal to the task set for them. Commander-in-Chief and several Admirals of the Next it was decided to kedge. The anchor was Regular Navy. With our pilot, Mr. McGregor aboard, brought aft to the fantail and lowered to the bow of we got underway through the Missisagi Straits where one of the boats, whereupon it was taken astern and we hove-to while one of our engineering petty officers, lowered to the bottom. A strain was taken on the by the name of Hollingsworth, piloted the ship’s anchor chain with the donkey engine on the quarter speedboat into Little Current to put McGregor ashore. deck, but the anchor failed to take hold. Hollingsworth was quite late returning to the ship. The After breakfast I relieved the cox’n on one of chief bos’n and his crew hoisted the speedboat aboard the boats, and with chief Anderson in the bow, we and, that done, we got underway following the course made ready to retrieve the anchor and take it back set out by our navigator, Lt. Wm. Bondesen. I was into deep water for another try. Anderson represented quartermaster of the watch, and it seems to me that it about 30 years in the navy, and we had an experienced was the mid-watch...midnight to four A.M. There was machinist’s mate at the motor controls. As we made a foul-up in following instructions (the course) set up our approach under the fantail to pick up the anchor, by Lt. Bondesen because I had started my hourly the ship’s engine was put in reverse and the huge rounds. As quartermaster I had to enter in the rough prop started to rotate! I threw the tiller to starboard log, each hour, pertinent information such as weather and the machinist’s mate hit the throttle...we avoided conditions, cloud formations, temperature of the water the accident but the prop did tick the boat! I’ll not and air, and certain readings in the engine room. forget the face of the chief gunner’s mate While walking on the engine room deck, it suddenly Anderson...nor his remarks! The color had left his started to roll and pitch. I made a dash for the bridge and face and he was as white as a ghost, but none of the told the officer of the deck that we’d struck something. color was lost in the language he used to express his At the same time an officer came out of the chart room feelings about whomever caused his near brush with making the same observation. Engines were stopped. Davy Jones. We hove-to for a while to make a quick inspection The best part of the day had been spent in futile which revealed that we were not aground, and had efforts to dislodge the ship when it was decided to sustained no damage. send machinist’s mate Hollingsworth up the The ship got underway again, but it was only a Canadian shore to get a tug to pull us off. The next matter of moments until she shuddered and groaned. day a tug arrived, put a hawser aboard, and we were Now we had truly run aground on Magnetic Reef. promptly pulled off by the stem. I remember that There was no alarm sounded. The crew was asleep the tug was paid out of the ship’s fund (our money) in quarters. Chief gunners mate Anderson came racing but I have no memory of it ever having been paid up the ladder looking for all the world like the little back to the fund. boy in night clothes in the Fisk Tire advertisement, and This adventure behind us, we sailed through the wanting to know what happened. Straits of Mackinac, down Lake Michigan and put All of the crew was awakened, dressed, and in at the Great Lakes Naval Training Station where assembled on the fantail (quarterdeck) to sally ship. Admiral Downs’ headquarters were located...some All hands would assemble on one side of the ship, then, 48 hours behind our scheduled E.T. A. The supercargo at the signal from a blast on the bugler’s horn, would was unloaded and we continued into Chicago where run to the other side of the ship to set up some motion we tied up at the Naval Armory at the foot of in hopes this would break the ship loose from the Randolph Street to await the next group of armed bottom. This was futile and all it did was create guard gun crews. gargantuan appetites for breakfast among the thus No mention of this grounding ever appeared on exercised crew members. Next we lowered the two the “cleaned up: log of the trip, and only those who ship’s liberty boats and had all of the 4.50 ammo put were there knew it happened...until now. over the side into them in an effort to lighten the I have one memento of the expedition; a ship...another exercise in futility. reproduction of the chart of McGregor Bay, Ontario, All of this had been done in the yet dark hours before signed by the President, members of his party, dawn. As the morning broke I looked over the side where Captain Ross of the Wilmette, and all the officers of it was possible to see bottom. There were rocks and the ship. It is an impressive document, but it fails to boulders everywhere. About a third of the ship, from the document the really exciting event of the trip, and wardroom companionway aft, was in deep water, but that is very likely just as well. the forward third was hard aground on the reef. TELESCOPE Page 98
LABOUR STRIFE ROCKS PORT OF WALLACEBURG 50 YEARS AGO
Reprinted from the Mann Historical Files Wallaceburg, Ontario
Small Canadian ports along the Great Lakes rarely 1948 was expected to be a routine year for the take on the big city waterfront aura that brings with it port accessed from the St. Clair River by a twisting characteristic intrigue, prohibitions, distinctive sounds nine mile inland route via the Chenal Ecarte (Snye) and sights. Embracing of ship arrivals by smaller and Sydenham Rivers. Canada Steamship package centres is perhaps likened more to families receiving freighters were regular port visitors as were coal, sand welcomed friends or relatives from afar. Any unusual and gravel ships such as John R. Emery, K.B. Swartz, happenings associated with ship visits reverberate Glenelg and Charles Dick. However, most readily quickly across the community where near everyone recognized vessels seen in Wallaceburg were the knows the business of neighbours. Wallaceburg, a green-hulled Northwest Steamship vessels Superior smaller inland Great Lakes port in Western Ontario, and A.A. Hudson. Nearly every week one or the other was centre of unlikely maritime labour strife 50 years would be in port unloading mixed cargos of ago, a scene that caught surprised residents totally off glassware, processed sugar, canned goods, guard. agricultural products or new trucks and cars, usually destined for the Upper Lakes. Mann Mann Historical Files
A.A. HUDSON loading International trucks from Chatham in 1940 at the Wallaceburg Government Wharf. MAY ‘AUGUST, 1998 Page 99
The A.A. Hudson first called Wallaceburg a port of call in 1939, the same year Northwest interests purchased her from Samia Steamship Ltd. During a routine visit in 1948, the A.A. Hudson becam e embroiled in a potentially volatile situation that gained unwanted national attention for the quiet town of Wallaceburg populated by 6200 citizens. During the late 1940's, Canadian lake shipping companies were unhappy with labour movements representing their crews. This was a period when charges of Mann Historical Files - Photo by Johnny Cairns Communist infiltrations rocked many facets of North American society, Steamer A.A. HUDSON (prior to installation of new mariner unions included. In stack and triple chime whistle in Welland Canal - 1940 order to rid labour of any alleged elements, it was decided to bring in the strong sticks, clubs and crowbars. They ran up the ramp Seafarers' International Union from the U.S. Shipping leading to the ship, stormed aboard the A.A. Hudson owners felt new blood was needed in the marine labour and "pirated" the surprised crew. Who were they and movement with the SIU suggested as the remedy. what was the motive? At first the shocking scene However, their leader Hal Banks had been jailed for was not only unclear, but totally surprising to the criminal activities and many were suspect of his oft onlookers, particularly dignitaries for the top hat strong armed implementation tactics. Nevertheless, the ceremony. SIU was accepted as the bargaining agent for most Word spread like wildfire across Wallaceburg Canadian shipping companies. This set the scene for drawing many citizens to the waterfront. Both local many "physical" confrontations on both sides of the and Provincial Police arrived on the scene to impose border. In fact, any Canadian ship with a crew consisting a presence. Since only unionized crew members were of rival union membership, faced the possibility of affected by the labour situation, the "invaders" dealing with powerful SIU membership. allowed non-union members, including Capt. Dalton The most unexpected scene for maritime labour Hudson to remain aboard. Two shifts of SIU pickets conflict was the small and usually peaceful port of then maintained 24 hour surveillance of the helpless Wallaceburg. It was late April, 1948 with local Chamber ship. For two days the scene continued without major of Commerce officials awaiting the first ship in order incident. Locals, who had counted on a few hours of that a tradition (begun in 1933) could be continued. wages loading the ship, were disappointed at the cash Captain of the first ship to open navigation was loss. Northwest Steamship officials were obviously presented with a ceremonial top hat. Once the Hudson's upset over the losses incurred through an idle ship. melodious triple chime steam whistle could be heard Ousted crew members dispersed in many directions approaching the port, this signaled local "labour awaiting outcome of the labour distress. Newspaper lookers" to the government wharf in order to gain the reporters from city daily papers arrived to cover the 25 or so spots on the wharfinger's sign up work list. Wallaceburg waterfront scene. Wallaceburg ship The usual handful of ship watchers were on hand as the watchers (including this writer) joyed at being able A.A. Hudson nudged into her mooring spot. to catch a few extra days of viewing the A.A. Hudson It was 7:30 pm. The ship was now secured and in port (although remaining a safe distance from the loading operations were about to begin. Suddenly, from pickets!) out of nowhere, appeared some 20 men brandishing Mann Historical Files - Alf King Photo Lake Seamans' union. They were ordered by the SIU the by ordered were They union. Seamans' Lake crew members were card carriers for the Canadian Canadian the for carriers card were members crew precariously bordered on strife. Most Most strife. on bordered precariously however did have its tense moments, a situation that that scene situation a The moments, tense its have haberdasher.) did however local the at chapeau new a for a certificate included (which hat top ceremonial officials eventually presented Capt. Hudson with the the with Hudson Capt. presented eventually officials by the SIU. The The SIU. the by ae 100 Page TELESCOPE as part of Hudson Shipping & Trading Co., Nassau BWI. Nassau Co., Trading & Shipping Hudson of part as Dalhousie, Ont., June 1965. To be renamed HUDSON TRADER TRADER HUDSON renamed be To 1965. Port at June aft Ont., cabins all Dalhousie, of conversion under HUDSON A.A. Steamer The outcome? Pickets were eventually withdrawn withdrawn eventually were Pickets outcome? The tae ..HDO tWlaeugGvrmn hr etme 0 1955 10, September Wharf Government Wallaceburg at HUDSON A.A. Steamer .. Hudson A.A. was onloaded. Local Local onloaded. was .. Hudson A.A.
the ship with missiles ensued. missiles with ship the members who were prepared in case barraging of of SIU barraging by case in placed prepared noted, were who later members was stones of pile wharf, a the Near been had orchestrated. and scene The planned carefully town. of out from in brought became clear the invaders were SIU members members SIU were invaders the clear became were quick to oblige with a hasty exit. It soon soon It exit. hasty a with oblige to quick were crew regular weapons, wielding strangers menacing the ship. Combined with the surprise as well as the the as well as surprise the exit with and Combined belongings ship. the their up pack quickly to gang SIU members seized the the seized members SIU as the soon display As power. to and might order their in stand a make SIU to the by chosen was Wallaceburg com panies p referred not to be be to not However, disputes. referred in labour p involved panies com ju st two vessels, the 1889-built 1889-built the vessels, two st ju who had large fleets. The smaller smaller The fleets. large had who com panies such as Canada Canada as such all Paterson, Lakes, Upper Steamship, panies com for involved time at the unrest Labour the most part the larger Canadian Canadian larger the part most the Ontario. Midland, in located were relationship, many from the Georgian Georgian the from many relationship, Bay area where the company offices offices company the where area Bay working a good enjoyed management Superior small shipping company consisting of of consisting company shipping small rh s Semsi ws a was ship Steam est orthw N and and A.A. Hudson. A.A. A.A. Hudson A.A. Crew and and Crew
Mann Historical Files - Photo by Alan Mann MAY 'AUGUST, 1998 Page 101 in Wallaceburg, the ship took on an uncharacteristic postured for position. The A.A. Hudson! She returned lean to the port side. They had lowered the forward to Wallaceburg several more times in 1948. In fact port anchor causing a definite list towards the wharf, a she bookended the port of Wallaceburg that year. Not tactic designed to prevent unexpected moving of the only did she open navigation (with unusual fanfare!) vessel. To onlookers, the lean added an appropriate but closed the season on December 2 as last ship in touch to the potential explosiveness of the scene. port. Her final season to Wallaceburg came in 1959 Fortunately nothing more serious than an anchor lean being the very last vessel to visit the downtown happened during the ensuing course of events. government wharf (which was replaced at another Meanwhile, some local wharf workers who were location) where the 1948 incident occurred. In 1965, "regulars" showed mixed and indifferent reactions to A.A. Hudson was sold and rebuilt with all cabins aft the unusual situations (for Wallaceburg at least.) One (rather unsightly for a traditionally designed ship.) familiar local figure, who also doubled as bridge She headed south, worked briefly before laying up swinger, decided he would carry on as usual. His task at Tampa, Florida in 1967. Sadly languishing far from was to drive the new International trucks up the loading familiar Great Lakes waters, the ship, now called ramp and onto the Hudson's deck. Known as "Whiz" Hudson Trader was scrapped at Atlantic Beach, by his friends, he started up a new truck, honked the Florida in 1971. horn, (according to press reports) let out a loud yell NOTE: In June of 1998, an attractive wall mural and headed up the loading ramp which was blocked in downtown Wallaceburg showing A.A. Hudson's by SIU pickets. Once they realized he meant to sister ship Superior was completed as a reminder of proceed, they scattered and loading of the truck the community's role as "Canada's Inland Deep Water continued. Surprisingly, Whiz was allowed to load Port." A few months earlier, Wallaceburg Town every truck without incident. However any loading Council approved naming of "Superior Marine Park" below deck was not allowed. an area where the government wharf was located, Pickets were eventually withdrawn from the A.A. this move also honouring Wallaceburg's role with Hudson. Another pay day came for the locals who Great Lakes shipping. Wallaceburg takes great pride helped load the holds. Some regular crew members (and appropriate measures) to maintain reminder of returned, (perhaps now members of a new maritime that maritime look of yesteryear. union?) Whiz had a great story to tell and Wallaceburg was thankfully spared from a potentially nasty scene. Serious incidents did break out at various locations around the Great Lakes in 1948 as unions Mann Historical Files 1998-09-09 (Dossin)
supe*10" Mann Mann Historical Files - Photo by Mann A1
Wall Mural S.S. SUPERIOR - Duncan St. @ James St., Wallaceburg, Ont. completed June, 1998. Photo by Mike Millenbach driver dominated the field at Detroit to take his third Cup. third Gold his straight take to Detroit at field the dominated driver fingers on his right hand. Once again, the determined determined the again, Once hand. two right his lost on fingers he which in Washington Pasco, at race Columbia Cup '97 the at boat the with accident blowover Budweiser win as an owner. In 1998 Villwock returned to the the to returned Villwock 1998 In owner. an as win Cup Gold eleventh his Little all and handing five heats sweeping by responded Dave inand '97, his drive boat Budweiser that year to become the national champion. champion. national the become to year that Detroit sponsor. He won the big race and five more more five and race big the won He sponsor. Detroit the most historic race course in the world in 1996 driving driving 1996 in world the in course race historic most who drivers eight only of group an elite in him places aetrepae ic h u' neto n 1904. in inception Cup's the since three-peated have Budweiser, 12 driving June River on the 90th renewal Detroit whole careers. In 1998, when Dave Villwock won the the won Villwock Dave when 1998, In careers. whole that many boat racers dream about and strive for their their for strive and about dream racers boat many that one and afeat, is quite - Cup the Gold - event biggest by Steve Garey Steve by D G W ae 102 Page TELESCOPE is IO mrcn Dream, American PICO Villwock, 42, of Seattle, came to Detroit and the the and Detroit to came Seattle, of 42, Villwock, Winning the American Power Boat Association’s Association’s Boat Power the American Winning ave d l o
th it in owner Bemie Little tagged Villwock to to Villwock tagged Little Bemie owner it was his third Gold Cup in a row. That That row. a in Cup Gold third his was it cockpit after surviving a high speed speed high a surviving after cockpit G V C T d o o llwock c o w l il e e r h ups C ,
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Photo by Bill Taylor Photography Photo by Mike Millenbach contem porary, the great Bill Bill great the usson's M porary, year. contem ing follow the in a row on tw o separate separate own his o starting tw before 1977 on until raced on Muncey but row occasions, a in Cups Gold two won had Muncey, string of three. of string had won five APB A Gold Cups Cups Gold APB A five won Muncey had 1972, Through those engine. of one drive never would he that vowed Muncey Bill hydroplanes, conventional seated blaster" blaster" In boats. people's other driving the of ahead sits driver the where type of hull, it nevertheless would nevertheless which it vehicle the became hull, this of driving type about reservations "blue the hydroplane, of a cabover designs cabover "dangerous" years. Like George Reis in in in five Reis in Musson wins George race Like total 24 years. and Gold (1977-78-79) straight Cups three to him take Gold Cups driving the same boat, the cabover cabover the boat, same the driving Cups Gold h ya bfr. aae wn i tre straight three his won Hanauer before. year the the as over 1977, he found himself the owner owner the himself found he 1977, untimely death in an accident in Acapulco, Mexico Mexico Acapulco, in accident an in death untimely Van Lines. Van After a career of driving rear- of driving a career After A lthough he had had he lthough A Chip Hanauer, a protege of Bill Muncey's, took took Muncey's, Bill of a protege Hanauer, Chip Atlas Van Lines. Van Atlas Atlas is Bardahl, Miss driver in 1982, following Muncey's Muncey's following 1982, in driver Muncey won his trio of of trio his won Muncey l Lagarto El and Ron Ron and Atlas ATLAS VAN LINES with Chip Hanauer Hanauer Chip with LINES VAN ATLAS
American, M iller High Life High iller M American, seigi h ubn r n 8. efloe in followed He '84. in era turbine the in ushering for driving boats for an unprecedented seven straight Gold Gold straight seven unprecedented an for boats succession with four more wins driving the the driving wins more four with succession prophetically united on the the on united prophetically Cups! 1989 and '90, with Villwock serving as crew chief. crew as serving Villwock with '90, and 1989 1983 Winner in Detroit in Winner 1983 Chip H anauer and Dave V illwock were were illwock V Dave and anauer H Chip ls a Lines Van tlas A Gold Cup together, both would go go would both together, Cup Gold current string of three in a row. a in three of string current for times more three Chip drivers; competitive as event the win to on the won never duo the Although a total of 10, and Dave with his his with Dave and 10, of total a few. A ll w ere G old Cup Cup old G ere w ll A few. Guy years: the over drivers many great of attention the drawn has Cup wins in a row, that's really really that's row, a in wins Cup Gold three together string to But, once. than more some champions, a name Tom to Tate, Mark and Foster, Lee D'Eath, Danny antrell, C Schoenith, Bill bardo, Lom something. And, on the Detroit Detroit the on And, something. list. Villwock special very to that his name Dave added 1998, in River The APBA Gold Cup race race Cup Gold APBA The and and A AGS, 1998 ‘AUGUST, MAY ics Circus Circus in 1982, '83, and and '83, 1982, in Miss Circus Circus Circus Miss ae 103 Page team in team Miller
Photo by C. M. Lankford GREAT LAKES & SEAWAY NEWS
Editor: James Morris Those who have contributed to the News 22919 Alger Section in this issue are: St. Clair Shores, MI 48080 TERRY BEAHEN ROD BURDICK KEN HILLYER DAN McCORMICK ED MORRIS GARY MORRIS Seaway News Editor: Skip Gillham DALE POHTO GREG RUDNICK JIM SPRUNT JOHN VOURNAKIS JERRY WALTER
Mar 1 ... The Lake Carriers Association reported that the coal trade on the Great Lakes was up 16.7 percent in 1997. 40.6 million tons were moved, which was the highest level since 1984 when 43 million tons were shipped.
... The tug David J. Kandinger & scow were escorted up the St. Mary’s River by the United States Coast Guard’s Biscayne Bay (WTGB 104) to the Government Dock in the Canadian Soo. There a load of machinery was put aboard the scow. They departed down the river early on March 3 bound for Racine, WI.
Mar. 2 ... Upperlakes Group announced that a contract for joining the Canadian Explorer & Hamilton Transfer has been awarded to Port Weller Dry Docks. The combined vessel is to be named Canadian Transfer.
... The United States Coast Guard cancelled plans for ice- breaking the Detroit & St. Clair Rivers due to a lack of ice.
Mar. 4 ... The Eastern Upper Peninsula Transportation Authority voted to proceed with the $2.6 million low bid for the new Drummond Island Ferry, despite being $381,000 short on funding. A conditional contract was awarded to Basic Marine of Escanaba with a 60 day grace period on the price.
... The voters in Duluth, MN voted down a referendum that would have brought the retired heavy cruiser USS Des Moines to the port as a museum.
... Arnold Transit started ferry service from St. Ignace to Mackinac Island. The service had ended on Jan. 28. Three trips daily except on Sunday have been scheduled.
Mar. 5 ... Algoma Central Properties, part of Algoma Central Marine purchased five properties in St. Catherines in a $1.18 million deal.
Mar. 6 ... The Port of Grand Haven was opened by the tug/barge Susan W. Hannah & Medusa Conquest.
Mar. 11 Escanaba was opened when Inland’s Joseph L. Block arrived and began loading taconite. She experienced conveyor problems shortly after loading began. Loading was halted and she sailed for Sturgeon Bay tor repairs. She returned on March 13 to finish loading. MAY ’AUGUST, 1998 Page 105
GREAT LAKES & SEAWAY NEWS •
Mar. 12 ... Scrapping operations began on the Great Lakes Towing tug Nevada by Del Milta Metal & Iron in Cleveland. The hull was pulled up on shore on March 23 and scrapping was completed on March 25. Photo Photo by Ron Burdick
TREGURTHA's first trip of the 1998 season into Escanaba on March 13th
Mar. 13 ... With the Soo locks not opened yet, Lake Shipping’s Lee A. Tregutha made an early season trip into Escanaba and loaded taconite for Indiana Harbor.
... Oglebay Norton’s Earl W. Oglebay opened Lorain when she arrived to load taconite for LTV Cleveland, she departed the next day.
... The former Horace Dodge Yacht Delphine has been bought by the Tiptoe Yachting Co. owned by Jack Bruynooghe. He plans to restore the yacht to its original splendor. The restoration is expected to take two years and will be done in Brugge, Belgium.
Mar. 15 ... Essroc’s Stephen B. Roman opened the port of Toronto when she arrived with cement from Picton.
Mar. 16 ...The Salty Baltic Carrier was partially sunk in a canal between the North Sea & Baltic Sea after a collision with Flinterdam, which was a seaway visitor in the spring of 1997.
Mar. 18 ... Southdown Inc. a cement firm based in Houston, TX announced it was acquiring Medusa Corp. for $1 billion in stock. The deal will create the second largest cement firm in the United States. No changes were announced in regard to the Medusa Great Lakes shipping operations or their ships Medusa Challenger & Medusa Conquest.
... The Great Lakes Clipper Preservation Association Inc. owners of the Milwaukee Clipper stated that renovations are moving along. Most of the ships staterooms have been opened and cleaned, work has begun to bring electricity to the ship. Ways are being investigated to bring natural gas to the ship. Cost estimates for the restoration range from $250,000 to $2 million. The group is looking into State & Federal funding for some of the cost. TELESCOPE Page 106
• GREAT LAKES & SEAWAY NEWS
Mar. 19 ... The port of Marquette was opened by Algoma’s Algomarine which loaded taconite for Algoma Steel at the Canadian Soo. She was back on March 21 for another trip.
... The Greater Ogdensburg Chamber of Commerce announced it is looking into the possibility of bringing the retired Heavy Cruiser USS Des Moines to Ogdensburg as a tourist attraction.
... The Chicago Board of Trade voted to eliminate Toledo, OH as a grain shipment point. The plan now goes before the United States Commodity Futures Trading Commission for review.
Mar. 20 ... An ad appeared in Boats & Harbors for the M V Woodlands (Ex - French River) offering her for sale, she is currently laid up in Tampa, FL.
K S H M g H B M H H H I
MB Photo Photo by Ron
Maiden Trip" of the PATHFINDER, loading taconite in Escanaba on March 21, 1998.
Mar 21 ... Interlake’s new barge Pathfinder (Ex - J.L. Mauthe) made her maiden voyage into Escanaba, pushed by the tug Joyce Van Enkevort to load taconite for Indiana Harbor. While loading the barge the tug disconnected to have some further work done.
it c J °? ‘ u fatC ° f thC Inland StCel Great Lakes fleet is unknow n at thN time. The Jones Act requires ■S. flagged ships to be at least 75 percent American owned if they operate between U.S. ports. Mar. 23 ... Interlake’s Paul R. Tregurtha made her first trip ever to Marquette with coal loaded at the Midwest nergy Terminal in Superior. She then made a second trip arriving on March 26. o . m . . T!;C;BUrl/ T " Northern Santa Fe Ore Dock in Superior, WI opened its season by loading American Steamship s Walter J McCarthy Jr. with 54,429 gross tons of taconite bound for Detroit. Ihrouah aririGnked f ateS Coast Guafd Icebreaker Mackinaw (WAGB 83) arrived at the Soo Locks and locked and W hitefishFr6 6 UP ^ ^ f fish Bay‘11 was mainly a ceremonial trip this year as the St. Mary’s River and Whitefish Bay are essentially free of ice. MAY ‘AUGUST, 1998 Page 107 GREAT LAKES & SEAWAY NEWS • ... Canada Steamship lines announced they had awarded a contract valued at approximately $70.9 million to Canadian Shipbuilding & Engineering Ltd. for the construction of up to five new forebodies. The project involves removing the original cargo hold portion of the ship forward of the engine room and accommodation area and replacing it with an entirely new section. The contract is firm for three vessels for delivery in the spring of 1999, 2000, & 2001 with an option for two more in 2002 & 2003. The forebodies will be 78 ft wide and give a new length of 740 ft. The work will be done at CSE’s Port Weller Dry Docks on the Welland Canal. The first ship to be done will be the J. W. McGiffin which will enter the yard in December of 1998. ... The Welland Canal was officially opened by Upperlakes Canadian Leader in a ceremony at Lock #3. She had departed her winter berth in Toronto and was in ballast bound for Duluth. The first downbound transit was made by Upperlake’s Canadian Progress. Mar. 25 ... The Soo Locks opened for the 1998 season with the downbound passage of American Steamship’s Walter J. McCarthy Jr. at 12:01 A.M.. After she departed USS’s Phillip R. Clarke was the first upbound at 2:21 A.M.. Both ships had arrived at The Locks on March 24 in the early afternoon and tied up at each end of the Poe Lock. ... The Great Lakes Towing tug Utah arrived at Del Milta Metal & Iron in Cleveland for scrapping. Scrapping began the next day with her cabins being removed. The hull was pulled on shore on April 1. Scrapping was completed on April 6. Mar. 26 ... The Montreal - Lake Ontario section of the St. Lawrence Seaway was officially opened by the upbound salty Ziemia Tamowska which was bound for Cleveland. She was also the first salty up the Welland Canal on March 28. The first downbound transit was made by Algoma’s Algobay bound for Sept Isles. ... A National Committee looking to find a site for a National Lighthouse Museum, has placed Mackinac City second on its preliminary list. Staten Island, NY is number one, with Hull-Boston, Mass. number three. The complex proposed in Mackinac City would be built on the old state ferry docks and would include a 126 ft high beacon & tower. Mar. 27 ... Canada Steamship Lines Nanticoke departed the dry-dock at Veracruz, Mexico after having work done on her cargo holds and ballast tanks. She was also painted up with C.S.L.’s new red paint on the hull. She was upbound in the St. Lawrence Seaway on April 20. ... Algoma’s Algorail was removed from the dry-dock at Port Weller and moved to the fit out wall with assistance from the tugs James E. McGrath, Glensidc & Argue Martin. She cleared on April 10 and proceeded upbound. Mar. 28 ... N.M. Paterson & Sons Paterson broke her own record for canola, when she passed down at the Soo Locks with 26,929 metric tons bound for Windsor. Her previous record was set on May 24, 1997 with 26,881 metric tons. Mar. 29 ... The Pelee Island Ferry Jimaan arrived at Port Weller Dry Docks for her five year survey. The McKeil tugs Glenside & Argue Martin assisted her onto the dry-dock. She departed on April 8 and proceeded upbound. ... Algoma Tankers Algoeast (ex - Imperial St. Lawrence) passed up the Welland Canal for the first time under her new name. She hadn’t been repainted yet and was still in Imperial colors. TELESCOPE Page 108 • GREAT LAKES & SEAWAY NEWS Apr. 2 ... In the early afternoon Enerchem’s Enerchem Refiner ran aground in the St. Lawrence Seaway just south of Hamilton Island, which is about seven miles east of Cornwall. On April 4 McKeil’s John Spence brought the barge McAsphalt 401 and lightered about 1600 tons of her Bunker “C” oil cargo. She was freed on April 5 with the help of McKeil tugs Pacific Standard, Jerry Newberry & John Spence. After inspection by Seaway officials she was allowed to proceed on her trip to Montreal, departing on April 6. ... The United States Coast Guard Cutter Bramble (WLB 392) passed up the Welland Canal after her four month mission in the Caribbean. She had been participating in the Coast Guard’s Operation Snowbird. She arrived at her base in Port Huron on April 4. Apr. 3 ... The casino ship Majestic Star passed down the Welland Canal on her way out of the lakes. She came to the lakes from the East Coast as President Casino V and was upbound in the Welland Canal on Sept. 7, 1994. Apr. 4 ... The Orsula was the first new salty up the St. Lawrence Seaway for the 1998 season. She was a Seaway visitor last season as Federal Calumet. Apr. 6 ... The Great Lakes Towing tug Georgia was towed to Del Milta Metal & Iron for scrapping by GLT’s Idaho. Scrapping began the next day, the hull was pulled from the water on April 16. Scrapping was completed on April 20. ... USS’s Myron C. Taylor made the first of two trips down the Welland Canal with salt. She stopped at Wharf #12 the stone dock on her way back up. She made the second trip on April 10. Apr. 7 ... Detroit’s first salty of the season arrived today, she was the Lithuanian registered Kapitonas Kaminskas which brought steel coils from Norway. Photo Photo by Jim Sprunt The USS MYRON C. TAYLOR making her way down the Welland Canal on April 7, 1998. MAY 'AUGUST, 1998 Page 109 GREAT LAKES & SEAWAY NEWS • 4 ^a» L * The ARGOEAST on the Welland Canal, April 8, 1998. Apr. 8 ... Purvis M arine’s tug Avenger IV ran aground near the entrance to Algoma Steel in the Canadian Soo. She was freed after about three hours with the help of fleetmates Adanac & Scott Purves. Apr. 9 ... The tug Atlantic Hickory was upbound in the Welland Canal bound for Wharf #13 to pick up the barge Sarah Spencer. Apr. 10 ... A collision took place between Algoma’s Agawa Canyon & Rigel Shipping’s Emerald Star in the approach canal above the Soo Locks. The loaded Canyon was downbound headed for the MacArthur Lock when she suddenly veered into the upbound tanker which had just departed the Poe Lock. The bow of the Canyon struck the tanker and scraped along the hull for about 125 ft resulting in structural and hull damage for the length of the collision. The Canyon had light damage about 40 ft back of the bow near her name. Both ships proceeded to tie up walls and waited for Coast Guard inspections which cleared them the next day to continue their voyages. A joint investigation by the U.S. Coast Guard and Transport Canada was undertaken to discover the cause of the collision. Apr. 11 ... Downbound in the Welland Canal was the new Canadian Coast Guard’s hovercraft Sipumuim on her delivery trip to Trois Riviers, Quebec. ... Algoma Tanker’s Algosar (EX - Imperail St. Clair) passed up the Welland Canal for the first time under her new name bound for Nanticoke. She hadn’t been repainted yet and was still in Imperial colors. ... American Steamship’s Charles E. Wilson was put on the dry-dock at the Toledo Shipyard for unspecified repairs. ... Medusa’s Medusa Conquest pushed by the tug Susan W. Hannah was downbound in the Welland Canal for the first time bound for Bowmanville, Ontario. TELESCOPE Page 110 • GREAT LAKES & SEAWAY NEWS Photo Photo by Jim Morris The new Coast Guard hovercraft, SIPUMUIM, April 10, 1998, in Lock #3 on the Welland Canal. INTRODUCING SIPUMUIM On Apiil 10,1998 the Sipumuim, a new hovercraft built for the Canadian Coast Guard, arrived in Port Colborne. After spending the night she departed the next day down the Welland Canal on her delivery trip to Trois Riveres, Quebec. She was designed by GKN Westland Aerospace and constructed in Wheatley, Ontario by Hike Metal Products. She has an overall length of 93.5 feet and is based on the API-88 Hovercraft design. She has been designated Dash-400 and can carry a payload in excess of 20 tons. Her power is provided by four Caterpillar 3412 TTA Water Cooled Diesels, using radiator cooling. Of her four engines two are used for lift and two for propulsion. She is the first of two, the second one is to be named Siyay and is scheduled for delivery in late summer. She is going to be stationed at a west coast port. Their names were chosen by local school children in contests where the vessels will be stationed. Information provided by: The Wheelhouse - Vnl 10, No. 5 - April/May 1998 Marine News - April 27, 1998 MAY •AUGUST, 1998 Page 111 GREAT LAKES & SEAWAY NEWS • Apr. 14 ... Upperlake’s Canadian Explorer arrived at Port Weller Dry Docks from Hamilton in tow of McKeil tugs Glenbrook & Argue Martin and the shipyard tug James E. McGrath for her conversion into Canadian Transfer. Meanwhile in Hamilton the Hamilton Transfer was having her stem cut off in the Heddle Marine dry dock just forward of the after cabins. She also was having her hull painted black and forward cabins painted white. The name Canadian Transfer was also painted on the hull. ... Shaker Cmise Lines Lake Runner started the ferry service across Lake Ontario from Port Dalhousie & Toronto. Apr. 15 ... The ferry Waterways 1 was upbound in the St. Lawrence Seaway headed for Toronto. Waterways Transportation plans to begin cross lake service between Toronto and Jordan Harbor. The Waterways 7 is a aluminum hulled catamaran with a 300 passenger capacity. ... Inland Lakes J.A.W. Iglehart entered the dry-dock at the Fraser Shipyard in Superior, WI for her five year survey. She cleared the shipyard on April 29. Apr. 16 ... The Detroit/Wayne County Port Authority announced that the Hapag Lloyd cmise ship C. Columbus would stop in Detroit on Oct. 3. This is a trial stop and if all goes well Detroit will become a regular stop on the cmise ships schedule next year. Apr. 17 ... Lake Shipping’s Kaye E. Barker was put on the dry-dock at Bay Shipbuilding in Sturgeon Bay, WI for unspecified repairs. ... Algoma Tankers Algonova (Ex - A.G. Farquharson) passed up the Welland Canal for the first time bound for Samia. She was painted up in full Algoma colors. Photo Photo by Jim Morris The SIPUMUIM, between Lock #6 & #7 on the Welland Canal - April 10, 1998. TELESCOPE Page 112 •GREAT LAKES & SEAWAY NEWS The ORSULA at Bridge #11 on the Welland Canal, April 10, 1998 Photo Photo by Jim Morris Photo by Jim Morris The ALGOSAR, April 11, 1998, at Bridge #11 on the Welland Canal. MAY ‘AUGUST, 1998 Page 113 GREAT LAKES & SEAWAY NEWS • Photo by Jim Photo by Jim Morris The MEDUSA CONQUEST on the Welland Canal, April 11, 1998 Apr. 18 ... The Canadian Government announced it will raise the Seaway tolls by two percent. Apr. 19 ... Great Lakes Towings Ohio passed up past Detroit towing GLT’s Florida & Indiana and the Chicago fireboat Victor L. Schlaeger. The tow arrived at the Soo where the Florida was dropped off and the Maine was picked up. The tow then proceeded to South Chicago. The Schlaeger had been dry-docked at the GLT yard in Cleveland. Apr. 20 ... Upperlake’s Canadian Provider lost her stem anchor and chain in the St. Mary’s River above the Soo. She had an engine problem and tried to stop using the stem anchor when it was lost. The problem was fixed in short order and she proceeded on her way. ... Desgagnes’s new tanker Petrolia Desgagnes was upbound in the Welland Canal for the first time. Apr. 21 ... The barge PM 41 which is the hull of the former carferry City of Midland 41 was towed from Muskegon to Bay Ship-building in Sturgeon Bay by the tugs Carl William Selvick & Mary Page Hannah. ... The Federal Fraser & Federal MacKenzie were reflagged from Hong Kong to Panama. They are the former Misener bulk carriers Selkirk Settler & Canada Marquis respectfully. Apr. 22 ... Canada Steamship line’s Louis R. Desmarais was put on the dry-dock at Fraser Shipyard in Superior to have repairs made to her Kort Nozzle. She departed on April 29. Apr. 23 ... American Classic Voyages which own the Delta Queen Steam-boat Co. & American Hawaii Cruises announced plans to launch the first of five new ships in the spring of 2000. Itineraries for the overnight ships have not yet been set, plans under way include costal cruising from Maine to Florida, Alaska & Great Lakes Ports. The $25 million vessels will hold 200 to 225 passengers and a crew of 60 to 70. They will have a length of 300 ft. TELESCOPE Page 114 • GREAT LAKES & SEAWAY NEWS Apr. 24 ... The Ontario Court of Appeals ruled the wreck of the Atlantic which sank in 1882, belongs to the province of Ontario. Apr. 25 ... Algoma’s Agawa Canyon made a rare visit to Escanaba with salt loaded in Goderich. ... The United States Coast Guard cutter James Rankin was launched by Marinette Marine in Marinette, WI. Apr. 26 ... A dedication ceremony was held at Mariners Church in down-town Detroit for the U.S. Naval Sea Cadets vessel Grayfox. After the ceremony she departed upbound for Port Huron where she is to be stationed. Apr. 28 ... Purvis Marine’s Yankcanuck stopped at Wharf #16 in Port Colborne on the Welland Canal for unspecified repairs. Apr. 29 ... USS’s Mryon C. Taylor arrived off Port Colborne bound for Wharf #12 the stone dock on the Welland Canal. In an unusual move she backed in off the lake and down through Lock #8 to the stone dock. ... With the Canadian Explorer cut in two just in front of the after cabins, the dry-dock was flooded and the bow section floated out and placed at the fit out wall. The stem section stayed in the drydock awaiting the bow section of the Hamilton Transfer. Apr. 30 ... Arriving at the Great Lakes Maritime Academy in Traverse City, MI was their new training vessel Northwestern. She is the former Corps of Engineers survey vessel North Central. ... The Lock 7 Motel along the Welland Canal was chosen as Thorold’s retail business of the year. MISC: ... The salty Topdalsfjord which sank Bradley’s Cedarville in the Straits of Mackinac on May 7, 1965 was recently renamed Changhi. ... American Steamship Co. recently purchased the 550 ft ocean class covered hopper barge American GulfV. The barge was built in 1981 and is 33,700 deadweight tons. There are no plans at this time to bring the barge to the Great Lakes, she is to run in coastal trades. ... The World Ship Society reported in their March issue that the J.A.Z. Desgagnes was sold to Sea Land Int. Ltd. of Belize and renamed Slil in 1997. In their April issue they reported the Sea-Land Tacoma had an engine breakdown off Estevan Point, Vancouver Island on 1-31-98. She was towed to Seattle arriving on 2- 3-98. She was built at Sturgeon Bay in 1987 and passed down by Detroit on 9-7-87. ... Over the winter of 1997 - 1998 Bridge #10, the railway bridge south of Thorold on the Welland Canal, was dismantled. It should also be noted that over the winter of 1996 - 1997 the railway bridge #20 in Port Colborne was dismantled. Our Back Cover Photo: Wood schooner SUMATRA (US 115240) built in 1874 at Black River, Ohio. Measured 845 g. 803 n„ 204’ x 34’ x 14.2'. Photo taken at Marquette, MI, 1883, while anchored inside Marquette Lower Harbor. She dragged anchor in N.E. gale and was blown ashore on the night of September 9, 1883. Work of releasing went on for 3 weeks. She was finally released during the first week in October when she was raisedr on 45 screw jacks and pulled off by several tugs and steamers working together. MAY •AUGUST, 1998 Page 115 VIDEO TAPE NOW AVAILABLE! P ioneers of P ow erboaung PRODUCED FOR RECEPTION HOSTED BY G reat L akes M aritime I nstitute a t THE D ossin G reat L akes M useum D etroit, M ichigan M a y 29, 1997 This is a limited edition 22 minute tape compiled from selected footage o f numerous film s taken through the years chronicling the Gold Cup boats from Gar Wood to Bemie Little. Tapes are now available for $20.00 at the Dossin Great Lakes Museum or by mailing $20.00 plus $5.00 shipping and handling to Kathy Shuler, 2257 Colony Way, Ypsilanti, MI 48197. For information contact the Dossin Museum at 313 - 852-4051. TELESCOPE Page 116 When Planning Your Future ~ Remember G.L.M.I. This isn't an easy or pleasant issue to consider. But the fact remains, you have to give your estate away. Who will get it? Your loved ones, charity or the government. The choice is yours to control. Please understand that we are not attempting to give legal advice. We encourage you to consult your tax or legal advisor if you wish to remember GLMI in your estate planning. There can be opportunities for you and GLMI to reap attractive benefits from charitable gifts. We've been told potential benefits to members include avoid ance of capital gains tax on appreciated assets, sizable income tax deduc tions, conversion of lower-income assets to higher income flow and reduced estate taxes. For more information on charitable gifts, please have your tax advisor con tact the Dossin Museum and identify yourself as a GLMI member: GLMI is incorporated under the laws of the State of Michigan as a nonprofit corpora tion and donations to GLMI have been ruled deductible by the IRS as a 501(C)(3) nonprofit corporation. FRESHWATER PRESS INC. We have been famous for quality Great Lakes publications for over 35 years! 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