VOLUME XXIX NO. 3 FOR MUSEUMS, ASSOCIATIONS AND HISTORIANS ESTABLISHED 1983

Commemorations planned for INSTITUTIONAL MEMBER NEWS DOOR COUNTY the Great Lakes Storm of 1913 MARITIME MUSEUM A port call by the three-masted, schooner Denis Sullivan was one of the highlights of the 22 nd Annual Door County Maritime Museum Classic and Wooden Festival. The event was held in Sturgeon Bay, Wis. and attracted over 40 vessels. A 31-foot Hacker-Craft runabout, the Yesterday owned by Tim and Jackie Danis of Egg Harbor, Wis., claimed Best of Show honors., and the Borum , a 16-foot runabout built in 1953 and owned by Larry Fisette of De Pere, Wis., garnered People’s Choice honors. The two-day festival also saw its largest number of team entries ever in the popular Sikaflex Challenge boat building contest. Artist Randy Rasmussen repeated as the People’s Choice award winner in the event’s “Paint the Bay” plein air painting competition. Rasmussen’s “Snug Harbor” will be featured in the poster for the next year’s event The iron ore freighter Henry B. Smith and its 25-person crew were among the 19 ships and over which is scheduled for the weekend 260 people lost during the Great Lakes Storm of 1913 (State Historical Society of Colorado photo). of Aug. 3-4, 2013. Jerry Richter earned honorable mention for his This year, the centennial of one of the on the western end of . “Pelicans over Dunlap Reef.” worst storms in the region’s maritime At the time, the weather forecast in history will be commemorated as part The News called for “moderate Based on the of its “Pirates!” of “A Remembrance: The Great Lakes to brisk” winds for the Great Lakes temporary exhibit several years ago, Storm of 1913” series of events. The region, with occasional rain showers the Maritime Museum has opened commemoration has been organized on Thursday night or Friday for the an updated version entitled “Pirates by museums and volunteers from upper lakes and fair to unsettled – Ship to Shore” which features a several communities. conditions for the lower lakes. half-scale model of the pirate ship Fortune . The exhibit also includes Described as a “white hurricane” by Around midnight, the steamer Cornell pirate artifacts from throughout the many, the Great Storm of 1913 began ran into a sudden northerly gale about United States, interactive displays on the night of Thursday, November 6, Continued on Page 12 and hands-on activities. It will be on display through Jan. 31, 2014. The 19 th Door County Lighthouse Maritime Museum plans announced Walk offered visitors a weekend of The Great Lakes Historical Society Settlement and Exploration, Expansion land and water tours of ten Lake has announced detailed plans for the and Industry, Safeguard and Support, lighthouses. The Door National Museum of the Great Lakes and Shipwrecks and Survival. County Maritime Museum and which is scheduled to open in the Lighthouse Preservation Society has The Society’s original museum themes Toledo Maritime Center in 2013. scheduled the next Lighthouse Walk of commercial shipping, passenger for the weekend of June 7-9, 2013. The National Museum’s 9,000 square ships, lighthouses & lifesaving and feet of exhibit space will be divided shipwrecks will be incorporated into The Maritime Museum sponsored a into four themed display areas and each of the major display areas. The cruise to the Pottawatomie Light on will include more than 50 interactive planned interactive features include ’s Rock Island last features. Those display themes are Continued on Page 2 Continued on Page 2 PAGE 2 ASSOCIATION FOR GREAT LAKES MARITIME HISTORY NEWSLETTER VOLUME XXIX NO. 3

INSTITUTIONAL MEMBER NEWS to museum officials, the displays and content in the new exhibit will have explicit connections to Detroit. For Continued from Page 1 example, displays will examine the summer. Located off the northerly tip city’s place at the center of the fur of the Door County Peninsula, the trade in the 18th and 19th centuries, lighthouse was built in 1858. and how its geographic placement made it of strategic importance for In other news, the Museum hosted the French, British and Americans. The Association for Great Lakes Maritime two presentations by Dennis Hale, History is an international organization of the sole survivor of the wreck of the Later, the Detroit River lead to the institutions, museums, societies, and individuals freighter Daniel J. Morrell which city becoming a center of industrial interested in preserving and interpreting the sank on Lake Huron in November development, marine transportation, maritime history of the Great Lakes. 1966. After the three, fully-dressed and manufacturing. Displays will also Membership includes a subscription to this men he was in a lifeboat with died of explain how the river’s status as an newsletter and the opportunity to participate hypothermia, doctors were mystified international border was a factor in in Association activities. In addition to its newsletter, the Association also sponsors an that the 26-year-old Hale survived the Detroit’s role in the Underground annual meeting, and encourages research, the ordeal clad only in shorts, a pea coat Railroad as well as smuggling activity exchange of information, and the publication of and a life preserver. during the Prohibition Era. materials on Great Lakes maritime history. DOSSIN GREAT LAKES MUSEUM According to Society officials, the Individual membership is $40 per year. “Built on the River” exhibit will The Detroit Historical Society has Institutional membership is $60 per year. highlight how the Detroit River is begun work on a multi-million dollar To become a member or for a brochure “inescapably linked” to the city that improvement project involving both containing more information about the shares its name. The exhibit has been the Dossin Great Lakes Museum and Association, write to: designed to both encourage public Detroit Historical Museum. As part Association for Great Lakes Maritime History understanding of the importance of of the project, the Dossin was closed P.O. Box 484 maritime history to local history, and in December for installation of a new Bowling Green, OH 43402 to give “a modern perspective” to permanent, centerpiece exhibit that history and “the affinity that ASSOCIATION OFFICERS entitled “Built on the River.” Detroiters have felt for the rivers President While museum will still embrace and lakes of the region.” Laura Jacobs, Archivist Great Lakes marine history, according Continued on next page Universityof-Superior JimDanHillLibrary-MaritimeCollection Vice President Sowden also presented a program Bob Graham, Archivist New museum entitled “They Left Toledo: Tales of HistoricalCollectionsoftheGreatLakes Continued from Page 1 Loss and Disaster of Vessels that Left Secretary Toledo, Ohio.” Ed Warner, IndividualMember simulations of the bridge and engine room of an early 20 th century Great Chris Gillcrist, the Society’s executive Treasurer Lakes freighter. director, presented “The Great Lakes John Polacsek, IndividualMember There will also be a working bilge and the Cold War: How the United The AGLMH Newsletter (ISSN 1081-4744) pump that visitors can set to simulate States Protected its Most Important is published bi-monthly by the Association for water flowing into a schooner’s hull Industrial Resources.” His program Great Lakes Maritime History. The submittal under normal sailing conditions, was based on recently uncovered of articles, news, photos, drawings, research documents, including some which requests, letters, etc. relating to the maritime heavy weather or when the hull has been damaged. Outside the museum, discussed plans for protecting the history of the Great Lakes region is welcomed region’s freighters in the event of a from members and non-members. All items will a maritime-themed park is now being be considered for publication and should be constructed alongside the new berth nuclear attack. sent to the editor: for the Col. James M. Schoonmaker . To fully achieve its exhibition and Bob O’Donnell The park will include several large program plans for the National 521 Wesley Avenue Museum of the Great Lakes, the , WI 54302 artifacts from the Historical Society’s collection, such as a 22-ton propeller Great Lakes Historical Society has Tel.: 920-469-3460 undertaken a capital campaign to E-mail: [email protected] from the John Sherwin which was raise $2.5 million. Members of the The Association for Great Lakes Maritime History cast in Toledo. As a preview to the is incorporated as a nonstock, nonprofit corporation types of programs to be offered at the Society’s board have committed under the laws of the State of Wisconsin. The U.S. $400,000 to the campaign. Internal Revenue Service has ruled the Association new museum, Historical Society staff to be under Sections 507(a)(l) and 170(6)(l)(A)(v) members have made several public Additional funding for the museum – EIN 39-1484960. presentations in recent months at and maritime-themed park will come the Toledo Maritime Center. from a $6,075,000 grant from the Ohio For more news and information, Those presentations have included Cultural Facilities Commission. The visit the Association Web Site “Nautical Archaeology of the War City of Toledo is also paying for the of 1812” by Carrie Sowden of the removal of an abandoned power plant www.aglmh.net Historical Society’s Peachman Lake that is adjacent to the site in what is Erie Shipwreck Research Center. referred to as the Marina District. VOLUME XXIX NO. 3 ASSOCIATION FOR GREAT LAKES MARITIME HISTORY NEWSLETTER PAGE 3

In addition to displays on the city’s historic lighthouses on Lake Superior the naval aspects of the War of 1812. industrial and marine industries, the islands, and eastern Lake Ontario. Tentative plans for its annual Heritage “Built on the River” exhibit will also Dinner this year include a program by H. LEE WHITE MARINE MUSEUM examine the history of recreational Gord Laco, a documentary producer sailing, power boating and fishing In a process facilitated by the New and Midland resident. Laco is also a in the Detroit area. The exhibit was York Sea Grant Extension program, historical consultant and has been a made possible by financial support representatives from the H. Lee White technical advisor for period films such from the John A. and Marlene L. Boll Marine Museum, Oswego Maritime as “Master & Commander, The Far Foundation. Alliance (OMA), and the Oswego Side of the World.” Maritime Foundation (OMF) reached CLEVELAND In 2014, the Huronia Museum will agreement on a plan to consolidate. UNDERWATER EXPLORERS focus on the aftermath of the War of Under the terms of the agreement, 1812 in the Georgian Bay region. It Members of Cleveland Underwater the OMA and OMF will dissolve and plans programs and exhibits on the Explorers (CLUE) have worked with transfer their assets and programs to building of the Penetanguishene Road state officials to place a mooring buoy the museum which has been renamed and a naval base at its northern on the wreck of the Sultan , a two- the H. Lee White Maritime Center of terminus during 1814-15. masted schooner which went missing Oswego Harbor. on in 1864 near Cleveland. KEWEENAW COUNTY HURONIA MUSEUM The wreck was reportedly first found HISTORICAL SOCIETY in the 1980s but went undocumented As part of its commemoration of the In conjunction with the centennial of until members of CLUE re-discovered Bicentennial of the War of 1812, the the loss the steamer Titanic in 1912, the site in 2011. Huronia Museum in Midland, Ont. members of the Keweenaw County hosted a program by Dr. Alan Taylor Built in 1848 in , the Sultan Historical Society developed and from the University of California at transported passengers and cargo on presented a special program that Davis. Dr. Taylor’s presentation was both the Great Lakes and East Coast. looked at the lives of 24 people who based on his recently published book, Its wreck lies in 45 feet of water, and were aboard the ill-fated liner on their The Civil War of 1812: American CLUE has placed a blue-and-white way to Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. Citizens, British Subjects, Irish buoy on it to make it easier for sport Many of those who lost their lives Rebels and Indian Allies . divers to explore the wreck site and were miners coming to join relatives protect the wreck as a historic artifact. The Huronia Museum’s programs and in the Keweenaw region. special exhibits in 2013 will focus on Continued on next page GREAT LAKES & SEAWAY SHIPPING ON-LINE A trip aboard the 410-foot car ferry Badger from Ludington, Mich. to UPCOMING EVENTS Manitowoc, Wis. was the first trip of 2012 schedule of the Boatnerd group Feb 23 10 th Annual Chicago Maritime Festival whose co-sponsors which is affiliated with Great Lakes & include the Chicago Maritime Museum. Site: Chicago. For more Seaway Shipping On-line. Prior to the details, see http:chicagomaritimefestival.org. day cruise there was an exclusive overnight stay on board the Badger Feb. 23 Upper Midwest SCUBA and Adventure Travel Show for group members. The 60-year-old sponsored by the Great Lakes Shipwreck Preservation Society. vessel has 42 staterooms. Site: Brooklyn Center, Minn. Details at www.umsatshow.org. Other 2012 Boatnerd events included a three hour cruise on the St. Marys Mar. 2 Great Lakes Shipwreck Festival presented by the Ford Sea River. The “freighter chasing” cruise Horses in conjunction with the Dossin Great Lakes Museum. aboard a tour boat of the American Site: Ann Arbor, Mich. For more information, see line departed from historic www.shipwreckfestival.org. Dock #2 (next to the museum ship Valley Camp ) and traveled through Mar. 15-16 14 th Annual Ghost Ships Festival sponsored by the Great both the U.S. and Canadian Locks. Lakes Shipwreck Research Foundation. Site: Milwaukee. For For information on the 2013 schedule more details, see www.ghost-ships.org. of cruises, see www.boatnerd.com. GREAT LAKES LIGHTHOUSE April 6 Shipwrecks 2013 - the 19 th Annual Shipwreck Symposium by KEEPERS ASSOCIATION the Niagara Divers Association. Site: Welland, Ont. For more details, see www.niagaradivers.com. In 2013, the Great Lakes Lighthouse Keepers Association will celebrate the May 15-19 North American Society for Oceanic History Conference . 30 th anniversary of its founding and the 140 th anniversary of the St. Helena Site: Alpena, Mich. For more details, go to www.nasoh.org Island Light Station which is now operated by the Association. High - Information on upcoming events should be sent as soon in advance as lights of 2012 include several special possible to: Bob O’Donnell, AGLMH Newsletter Editor, 521 Wesley Avenue, programs at St. Helena Island, and Green Bay, WI 54302; e-mail: [email protected] excursions to view remote and PAGE 4 ASSOCIATION FOR GREAT LAKES MARITIME HISTORY NEWSLETTER VOLUME XXIX NO. 3

LAKE SUPERIOR MARINE provides access deep into the island’s MARINE HISTORICAL MUSEUM ASSOCIATION interior and its impact on the history SOCIETY OF DETROIT of mining and commercial fishing on The Lake Superior Marine Museum Emory A. Massman Jr. has been Isle Royale. He also shared the results Association hosted the 25 th Gales of named the Marine Historical Society of the 2011 and 2012 dive surveys of November program last fall at several of Detroit’s Historian of the Year for the waterway undertaken by the sites in the historic Canal Park district 2012. Massman is the author of a new Great Lakes Shipwreck Preservation of Duluth. Among the presentations book, The Nicholson Lines and Their Society and . was “The Faces Behind the 1905 Gale” Captains , which chronicles the times by Curt Brown which looked at the “Managing the and people of a famous Great Lakes Mataafa Storm of 1905 through rare National Lakeshore: A Behind the shipping lines from the 1920s to the photos of the captains, meteorologists, Scenes Look at the Challenges of 1960s. The book was published by moguls and journalists who shaped Maintaining Maritime Heritage” the Marine Historical Society. examined the issues facing the U.S. events during and after the storm. MARINE MUSEUM National Park Service as its tries to During the two days of the event, OF THE GREAT LAKES preserve and maintain the lighthouses other presenters included Brendon of the Apostle Islands, one of the As part of its commemoration of the Baillod whose program was entitled nation’s largest collections of historic Bicentennial of the War of 1812, the “The Evolution of Great Lakes Steel lighthouses. It was presented by Bob Marine Museum of the Great Lakes at Ships.” Baillod provided an overview Krumenaker, superintendent of the Kingston, Ont. hosted a special exhibit of the development of iron and steel Apostle Islands National Lakeshore. entitled “Kingston War Ships 1812- hulled ships on the Great Lakes from 1814” The exhibit looked at the Dr. James Delgado presented “The the revenue cutters of the 1840s to “shipbuilding war” that took place Museum Beneath the Seas”at the present day 1,000-foot freighters. between Sackets Harbor, N.Y. and Gales event. Delgado is director of “Pirates, Crooks & Killers - The Dark Kingston during the conflict. maritime heritage for the Office of Side of Sailing the Great Lakes” by National Marine Sanctuaries of the Among the artifacts on display were Frederick Stonehouse looked at those National Oceanic and Atmospheric items from the Marine Museum’s who, over the years, have been willing Administration (NOAA). A trained permanent collection and several to pillage and rob ships and their marine archeologist, his program pieces unearthed by the Cataraqui crews when opportunity presented provided a visual tour of some of Archaeological Research Foundation itself. Mark Wick presented “Duluth the most interesting shipwreck sites of Kingston (see www.carf.info for to Isle Royale - Steamer ’s in the world, including sites that he more details). In other news, the History” which included rare photos helped explore and document. Marine Museum recently coordinated of North Shore ships, harbors and a reunion of former employees of In addition to presentations and people. Wick’s research was inspired C&C Yachts. by the story of his third cousin, John luncheon speakers, the annual Gales Wick, who was at the wheel of the of November program features tours, In 1961, George Cuthbertson, a America when it struck a rock off exhibits, and a variety of activities. mechanical engineer, and George Isle Royale and sank on June 7, 1928. The next program is scheduled for Cassian, an aircraft designer, formed Nov. 1-2, 2013. More details and ticket the design group of Cuthbertson and “The Evolution of Great Lakes Ship information will be found on the Lake Cassian to develop plans for steel and Construction” by Patrick Labadie Superior Marine Museum Association wooden sail boats. In the 1970s, the looked at the history of ship design web site at www.lsmma.com. two joined forces with yacht builder and construction methods in the George Hinterhoeller and Ian Morch LOWER LAKES region from the War of 1812 to the of Belleville Marine to form C&C MARINE HISTORICAL SOCIETY bulk freighters of today, including the Yachts. In time, the company became evolution from wood to iron to steel. A replica of the facade of a bird cage one of the largest manufacturers of Terry Pepper, executive director of pilothouse is now on display on the sailboats in North America. the Great Lakes Lighthouse Keepers mezzanine level of the Lower Lakes The two-day C&C Yachts Reunion Association, presented “Serving Time Marine Historical Society’s museum and Conference attracted over 200 at Stannard Rock” which recounts the in Buffalo, N.Y. Built by community participants. It was held at the Royal tragic story of one of the most isolated volunteers, the replica was a long time Hamilton Yacht Club in Hamilton, lighthouse in U.S. waters. goal of the Society’s past president, Ont, and included panel discussions Mike McCarthy, and others, when the “Bringing Maritime History Back into moderated by Maurice Smith, curator museum first opened in the former View” by Steven Daniels of the Great emeritus of the Marine Museum. Lakes Shipwreck Preservation Society Howard H. Baker and Co. ship looked at the Society’s efforts to return chandlery building. The C&C Collection of the Marine Museum includes the personal papers historic artifacts removed by sport Recent meetings of Historical Society of George Cuthbertson, corporate divers and others to shipwreck sites. members have included a program papers, and design drawings from It also examined how the non-profit entitled “Five Shipwrecks of Buffalo” both Cuthbertson and Cassian, and group helps find places for items to by Jack Messmer. A Great Lakes ship C&C Yachts. There are also a number be properly exhibited when it’s not pilot, Capt. George P. Haines of Port of drawings and files from C&C possible to return them to a wreck. Huron, Mich., presented “Large and Yachts from 1973 to the 1990s when Small Ship Interaction” which looked Seth DePasqual presented “McCargoe the assets of the business were at the challenges of such encounters Cove - Gateway to Isle Royale” which acquired by Fairport Marine. looked at the historic waterway that from the ship pilot’s point of view. VOLUME XXIX NO. 3 ASSOCIATION FOR GREAT LAKES MARITIME HISTORY NEWSLETTER PAGE 5

MARITIME ARCHAEOLOGICAL It includes previously unpublished Door County by Walter and Mary SURVEY TEAM information on the construction of Hirthe, a reception was held aboard the canals between 1824 and 1889. the schooner Denis Sullivan at The site of the new National Museum That information includes technical Discovery World in Milwaukee. of the Great Lakes in Toledo and the plans and management documents Col. James M. Schoonmaker hosted Mary Hirthe was on-hand for the from the National Archives and the the annual training workshop of the reception to sign copies of the book provincial Archives of Ontario. Marine Archaeological Survey Team which was recently republished by (M.A.S.T.) in 2012. Participants in the Styran is a retired assistant professor the Wisconsin Marine Historical program used the museum ship to of history at Brock University, the Society. In addition, Society President practice trilateration, measurement of co-author of The Great Swivel Link: Peter Hirthe presented a program a wreck site, and the creation of site Canada’s Welland Canal , and 2009 entitled “Schooners of Door County drawings in preparation for upcoming recipient of the Canadian Society for and the Great Lakes” in Discovery wreck survey projects on Lake Erie. Civil Engineering’s W. Gordon Plewes World’s Digital Theater. For more details on 2013 training Award. Taylor is professor emeritus In other news, the Historical Society programs, see http://ohiomast.org. of history at Brock University and recently co-sponsored a temporary the author of several books on local MARQUETTE exhibit entitled “Great Lakers” at the history, architecture and the Welland MARITIME MUSEUM Grohmann Museum at the Milwaukee Canals. School of Engineering. The Society The Marquette Maritime Museum and SAVE ONTARIO SHIPWRECKS also partnered with the Milwaukee Cliff Natural Resources celebrated the Public Library to host a monthly 100 th anniversary of the Marquette Save Ontario Shipwrecks (SOS) series of programs entitled “Treasures Upper Harbor Ore Dock in 2012. has presented its Maritime Heritage of the Great Lakes Marine Collection.” Originally built for the Lake Superior Award for 2012 to Peter Rindlisbacher. & Ishpeming Railroad, the 1,250-foot Rindlisbacher is a member of the Other activities have included a cruise concrete and steel structure has been Canadian Society of Marine Artist, of the Milwaukee River narrated by improved several times. It replaced a and has been involved in a number of Frank Matusinec aboard the cruise 1,200-foot wooden structure that SOS research projects over the years. vessel Vista King . The Society’s 32 nd dated back to 1896. In other news, SOS offered a Nautical annual Christmas Tree Ship Holiday PORT COLBORNE MARINE Archaeology Society (NAS) Level I Dinner was held on December 13 at AND HERITAGE MUSEUM course in Hamilton, Ont. last summer. the Milwaukee Yacht Club. The dinner The course included both classroom speaker was Dan Jorgenson, director In conjunction with the Bicentennial and in-pool sessions. The group has of marketing and financial affairs for of the War of 1812, the Port Colborne also developed a NAS Level III course the Milwaukee River Cruise Line. Marine and Heritage Museum opened on stone tools and related artifacts for a new exhibit on the community’s role WISCONSIN MARITIME MUSEUM future training programs. For more in the conflict. Although there were The Wisconsin Maritime Museum details on the SOS’s NAS training no battles fought at what was then recently hosted a presentation entitled programs, e-mail training@ called Sugarloaf, it was an important “The Great Lakes in the War of 1812” saveontarioshipwrecks.ca. part of the supply and communication by Joel Stone, a senior curator with lines for the Canadian militia forces THUNDER BAY NATIONAL the Detroit Historical Society and involved in the war. The exhibit also MARINE SANCTUARY director of the Dossin Great Lakes includes a virtual display of War of After public hearings on a proposed Museum. Historian John Enright 1812 exhibits in the Niagara Region. major expansion of the Thunder Bay presented “Women in the History Also as part of the Bicentennial, the National Marine Sanctuary last of U.S. Lighthouses” on February 16. Port Colborne Museum has developed spring, the National Oceanic and Other program have included one on a traveling exhibit for use by local Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) the shipbuilding heritage of Sturgeon schools and community groups. The is now working on an environmental Bay, Wis. presented by Bob Desh, exhibit examines the experiences of impact statement for the expansion. executive director of the Door County three groups during the conflict. They That work is expected to take up to Maritime Museum. In other news, the include the soldiers who fought in the twelve months. 36 th Annual Midwestern Model Ships War of 1812, the women who lived in If approved, the expansion would & Boats Contest was hosted by the the Sugarloaf area during the conflict, increase the Marine Sanctuary from Maritime Museum. It featured the and local Mennonites and Quakers its current size of 448 square miles to display of two dozen vessels crafted who were conscientious objectors to an area that encompasses 4,085 square by modelers from throughout the U.S. the war. miles of Lake Huron. The number of A model of one of the first schooner- ST. CATHARINES MUSEUM known wrecks within its boundaries rigged vessels in the world, the Royal would increase from 45 to 84. The The St. Catharines Museum and the Navy vessel Chaleur , is the focus of a number of potential wreck sites Welland Canals Centre co-hosted a new exhibit at the Maritime Museum. would increase from 38 to 98. book launch for This Great National The model was created by Bruce Hoff, Object: Building the Nineteenth- WISCONSIN MARINE a long-time museum supporter, who Century Welland Canals The book HISTORICAL SOCIETY passed away in 2011. A specialist in was written by Roberta M. Styran and plank-on-frame modeling, examples To celebrate the 25 th anniversary of Robert R. Taylor., and published by of his work can be seen on display at the publication of Schooner Days in McGill-Queen’s University Press. Continued on next page PAGE 6 ASSOCIATION FOR GREAT LAKES MARITIME HISTORY NEWSLETTER VOLUME XXIX NO. 3 the Smithsonian Institution and the those courses also had an opportunity commemorates the Bicentennial of Museum of Science and Industry in for a NAS Level II independent field - the War of 1812 and will be on display Chicago. work project o the Norland wreck off through December 2013. Milwaukee. The site is being jointly After 17 months of restoration work, Dick Moehl , long-time president of surveyed by members of the WUAA the deck gun of the U.S.S. Cobia has the Great Lakes Lighthouse Keepers and Great Lakes Shipwreck Research been returned to its original mount. Association, has been awarded the Foundation. The 40mm gun was built in 1944 by Michigan Lighthouse Alliance’s first Firestone Tire and Rubber Co. After Also in 2012, the WUAA sponsored Beacon Award. The award recognizes it was sandblasted by a local firm, a NAS Level III course on underwater exceptional leadership in the state’s museum volunteers repaired some remotely-operated vehicles conducted lighthouse stewardship community. sections of wasted metal on the gun. by Dave Thompson. For information It was then repainted by museum on WUAA NAS training courses in staff before being lifted back into 2013, see the Association’s web site WELCOME NEW MEMBERS place by a local marine contractor. at www.wuaa.org or contact Kevin Cullen at [email protected]. The Wisconsin Maritime Museum INSTITUTIONS has begun a fundraising campaign for PERSONNEL NEWS Lower Lakes Marine Historical additional repair and restoration work Larry Hinkel has been hired as the aboard the Cobia . Projects include Society , 66 Erie Street, Buffalo, NY Wisconsin Naval Ship Association’s 14202; tel. (716) 849-0914; web site: repairing its engine room vent risers first executive director. Hinkel has ($8,000) and replacing wasted metal www.llmhs.org; e-mail: museum@ served as president of the WNSA llmhs.org; Contact Person: and repairing seams below its bow board of directors for the past five planes ($9,500). Bob Gilham, president. years. He is a U.S. Navy veteran and th WISCONSIN served aboard the submarine U.S.S. Ohio Historical Society , 800 E. 17 NAVAL SHIP ASSOCIATION Harder (SS 568) from 1967 thru 1970. Avenue, Columbus, OH 43211-2474; tel. (614) 297-2350; fax: (614) 297-2352; The Wisconsin Naval Ship Association Chris Phinney has been elected e-mail: [email protected]; has temporarily closed its Military president of Save Ontario Shipwrecks. web site: www.ohiohistory.org. Heritage Museum and Education New members of the SOS Board of Center in downtown Sheboygan to Directors include Brian Nickle and INDIVIDUALS accommodate the heavy equipment Allan Rodek . William D. Carle III , 1230 Overlook and truck traffic needed to dredge the Hub Ranger , a long-time member Drive, Lakewood, OH 44103. Sheboygan River. The river is being and past president of the Wisconsin dredged from the 8 th Street Bridge Paul Carroll , 33562 Black’s Road, R.R. Marine Historical Society, has passed 2, Goderich, ON N7A 3X8, tel. (519) to Penn Avenue Bridge to provide away. A World War II veteran, Ranger a 10-16 feet deep navigation channel. 524-8303; e-mail: [email protected]; served as the Society’s president from web site: www.shipwreckwexford.ca. The deepened navigation channel 1998 to 1999 and on the board of the is one of the requirements for the Association for Great Lakes Maritime Malcom (Mac) Campbell , 80616 acquisition of the decommissioned History during that same period. Benmiller Line, RR #2, Clinton, ON gunboat U.S.S. Canon by WNSA. The N0M 1L0; work: (519) 524-7935; e- dredging was expected to completed mail: [email protected]. and the Heritage Center re-opened INDIVIDUAL MEMBER NEWS Chuck Wagner , 8111 Trail Ridge, Dex - to the public by April 2013. In related ter, MI 48130; tel. (734) 424-1469; e- news, the non-profit group is now mail: [email protected]. accepting donations or loan of items Peter Rindlisbacher was one of two Arthur Woodford , 3284 S. Channel for future display in the museum marine artists commissioned by the Drive, Harsens Island, MI 48028; portion of its building. U.S. Coast Guard to create paintings of four U.S. Revenue Service cutters tel. 810-748-3571; e-mail: WISCONSIN UNDERWATER that served in the War of 1812 but [email protected]. ARCHEOLOGY ASSOCIATION for which the service did not have ADDRESS CHANGES Last summer, an introductory level images. His commissioned works Jana Siemon , 500 Oak Street, Norway, course of the Nautical Archeology included “Cutter James Madison MI 49870; tel. 906-563-5396; e-mail: Society (NAS) was conducted by the captures the armed British Brig [email protected] Wisconsin Underwater Archeology Shamrock , 23 July 1812.” To view Association at the historic North Point images of the painting and other War of 1812-related items from the Lighthouse in Milwaukee. The course RECENT ARTICLES was followed up by opportunity for a Coast Guard’s collection, go to NAS Level II independent fieldwork www.uscg.mil/history/wars/ project as part of the WUAA’s work 1812/1812imagery.asp. The following is a brief listing of recent in the waters of Bailey’s Harbor, Wis. James Spurr was chairperson of the articles that may be of interest to Great Another NAS introductory course and volunteer committee that helped to Lakes maritime historians and researchers: a Level I course were offered by the create the “War on the Great Lakes!” In the Spring 2012 issue of Anchor WUAA at Pearl Lake which is located exhibit that opened this past year at News published by the Wisconsin on the Wisconsin/ state line the Michigan Maritime Museum in Maritime Museum (for more details, north of Rockford, Ill. Participants in South Haven, Mich. The exhibit call 1-866-724-2356): “How a Great VOLUME XXIX NO. 3 ASSOCIATION FOR GREAT LAKES MARITIME HISTORY NEWSLETTER PAGE 7

Lakes Schooner was Built in the 1850s details, call (231) 582-2814) are articles In the June 2012 issue of The Detroit – Part II” by Robert Stevens; and the 2011 shipping season results, the Marine Historian published by the “Ghost at 40 Fathoms” by Brendon repowering of the freighter Kaye E. Marine Historical Society of Detroit Baillod on the schooner Baker , and the technology of natural (for more details, see www.mhsd.org): (ex- Nancy Dousman ). gas-powered marine engines. “Huron Transportation Company: Remembering the ‘Green and White In the Spring 2012 issue of Inland In April-June 2012 issue of Great Laker Fleet’ – Part II” by Skip Meier; and Seas ® published by the Great Lakes which is published by Harbor House “1912 Great Lakes Marine News” Historical Society (for more details, Publishing as part of Great Lakes/ compiled by Mike Nicholls. call 1-800-893-1485 or (440) 967-3467): Seaway Review (for more details, call “The Wrecks of the Lafayette and the (231) 582-2814): a “Meet the Fleet” In Summer 2012 issue of Sea History Manila in the Lake Superior Storm profile by George Wharton of the published by the National Maritime of November 27-28, 1905” by David Lee A. Tregurtha ; and a photo essay Historical Society (for more details, Balfour; “Postscript to the War of entitled “Queen of the Lakes” which call (800) 221-6647) are two articles 1812: Newash , Tecumseh and documents a coal run aboard the by Dr. William H. Thiesen including U.S./Canada Border Relations” by Paul R. Tregurtha . “The History of the ‘Racing Stripe’ – Emblem and Brand Identity for World LeeAnne Gordon; “Ashtabula Harbor In the May 2012 issue of The Detroit Sea Services and Coast Guards – Light Station: Questions, Collisions, Marine Historian published by the Part I: The U.S. Coast Guard” and An Icy Situation and Changes” by Marine Historical Society of Detroit “The War of 1812: U.S. Revenue Scott W. Bundschuh; “Major Robert (for more details, see www.mhsd.org): Cutter Operations.” Carr and the ‘First’ Battle of Oswego” “Huron Transportation Company: by Richard F. Palmer; Evolution of a Remembering the ‘Green and White In Summer 2012 issue of The Beacon Tanker to a Great Laker: Chiwawa – Fleet’ – Part I” by Skip Meier; and published by the Great Lakes Light - Walter A. Sterling ” by John Clark; “1912 Great Lakes Marine News” house Keepers Association (for more and “The First Airplane Crossing on compiled by Mike Nicholls. details, call (231) 436-5580) are several the Great Lakes” by Renald Fortier. articles by Terry Pepper including In the May 2012 issue of The Superior “Port Sanilac Light Station” and In the Spring 2012 issue of Soundings Signal published by the Keweenaw “There’s No Astragal Like a Diagonal published by the Wisconsin Marine County Historical Society (for details, Astragal.” There are also images of Historical Society (for more details, write to KCHS, 670 Lighthouse Rd., all lighthouse lantern rooms outfitted call (414) 286-3074): “History of the Eagle Harbor, MI 49950): “Eagle with helical astragals in U.S. waters Development of Milwaukee Bay – Harbor Coast Guard Team Rescues on the Great Lakes, and a photo essay Chronology of Construction – Part 1” 51 Crew Members from Two Ships” on the interior of Lake Michigan’s by Jack Godden; and “The Untimely from a first person account written White Shoal Lighthouse entitled Death of Commodore Gerald E. by Anthony F. Glazer, a surfman “At Long Last – White Shoal.” Sufflebeam” by Charles Sterba. involved in the rescue of the crews of In the Spring 2012 issue of The Beacon the steamers Thomas Maytham and In the Summer 2012 issue of Modoc published by Great Lakes Lighthouse City of Bangor in November 1926. Whistle published by the Saginaw River Marine Historical Society (for Keepers Association (for more details, In the May 15, 2012 issue of The Palla - more details, write to SRMHS, P.O. call (231) 436-5580): a series of images dium-Times (see http://palltimes.com Box 2051, Bay City, MI 48707-2051): of the Waugoshance Lighthouse on for more details) is an article entitled an article on a 1978 port call by the Lake Michigan during the 1930s; “The John S. Parsons Ship Chandlery U.S.S. William C. Lawe to Bay City “What Time is it at the Lighthouse?” of Oswego – Part 1” by Richard as part of the U.S. Navy’s inaugural by Terry Pepper; “The Old is New Palmer. The second part of the article Great Lakes Cruise program. The at Big Point Sable” by Grace Truman; appeared in the May 22 issue of the World War II destroyer later returned “ (Light) Mysteries – newspaper. Part Two” by Bob Mackreth; an article to the community in 1981 and 1982. In the May-June 2012 issue of the entitled “Ethel the Midwife”on life at In the Summer 2012 issue of Anchor Lower Lakes Marine Historical Society North Manitou Island Light Station by News published by the Wisconsin Newsletter (for more details, e-mail: Ethel P. Furst-Stormer; and “Wedding Maritime Museum (for more details, [email protected]): an eleventh at a Lighthouse” transcribed by Terry call 1-866-724-2356): “How a Great excerpt from a 1910 newspaper article Pepper from a 1871 issue of the Toledo Lakes Schooner was Built in the 1850s written by Capt. Crockett McElroy Blade . – Part III” by Robert Stevens; and entitled “Hero of the Lake” about the “Marquette – The First Great Lakes In the Spring 2012 issue of Modoc life and marine career of Richard Iron Ore Port” by George D. Jepson. Whistle published by the Saginaw White; and “The W.C. Richardson ” River Marine Historical Society (for by Jack Messmer. more details, write to SRMHS, P.O. Box 2051, Bay City, MI 48707-2051): In the June 2012 issue of Wisconsin’s RESEARCH NOTES “A Fiery End for the Langell Boys ” Underwater Heritage published by the about a small wooden freighter built Wisconsin Underwater Archeology in St. Clair, Mich. in 1890 and lost to Association (for more details, write IN EXTREMIS fire in 1931 after departing Bay City. WUAA, P.O. Box 510173, Milwaukee, Photographer Pim Van Hemmen WI 53203): “Reconnaissance at Red has launched a project entitled “In In the April-June 2012 issue of Great Banks: Where did Nicolet Land? Lakes/Seaway Review published by Extremis” to record the condition of A Pre-Survey Evaluation” by Continued on next page Harbor House Publishers Inc. (for Dr. Richard Boyd. PAGE 8 ASSOCIATION FOR GREAT LAKES MARITIME HISTORY NEWSLETTER VOLUME XXIX NO. 3 historically significant American ships a tow of chained timbers. The note TRAVEL card sets cost $14.99 and the postcard that are “on a lee shore.” He plans to Lodge No. 15 of the International sets cost $10.50, both plus S&H. For photograph at least twenty such Shipmasters Association is hosting more details, including images of vessels across the country. a raffle with a grand prize of a seven- additional scenes in the sets, go to When the project is completed, the day trip for two adult guests aboard www.bchsmuseum.org. ship images will be printed on large a Great Lakes freighter. The trip will sheets of aluminum which will then PUBLICATIONS take place on the M.V. Algoma Spirit tour as a traveling exhibit to raise This Great National Object: Building during the 2013 navigation season. awareness of the maritime history the Nineteenth-Century Welland The winners will be hosted in the of the United States and the need to Canals by Roberta M. Styran and ship’s guest cabins, and will be able to preserve examples of that history. An Robert R. Taylor includes previously dine with the Algoma Spirit ’s captain accompanying calendar and coffee- unpublished information on the and officers. There will also be round- table book are also in the works. construction of the Welland Canals the-clock access to the ship’s pilot Among the Great Lakes vessels that between 1824 and 1889. The 403-page, house, along with a guided tour have already been photographed as hardcover book is available from of the freighter and its engine room. Amazon.com for $44.95 plus S&H. part of the “In Extremis” project are Arrangements will be made with For details, see www.amazon.com. the S.S. Milwaukee Clipper , the S.S. the winner to join the ship in port, Columbia , and the S.S. Ste. Clare . ______and he or she will be responsible for To view images of the ships that have In-Depth Editions has released Lost their own transportation to and from already photographed, go to http:// the port of embarkation. Second prize pimvanhemmen.zenfolio.com. & Found: Legendary Lake Michigan Shipwrecks by Valerie O. van Heest in the raffle is an 8-14 day Great Lakes RESEARCHER HONORED which looks at the sailing career and youth tall ship adventure on board the sail training vessel Pathfinder The U.S. Coast Guard has presented loss of several ships including the while it’s participating in the 2013 the late William D. Wilkinson with Carl D. Bradley , Francisco Morazan , International Tall Ship Challenge a Meritorious Public Service Award Lady Elgin , and Hennepin along in Toronto. and the Foundation for Coast Guard with the story of the discovery of History Award. The awards were in their wrecks by David Trotter, Ralph Third prize is a hands-on experience recognition of Wilkinson’s exhaustive Wilbanks, Clive Cussler and members for up to eight people in handling an research which lead to the publication of Michigan Shipwreck Research ocean-sized vessel in the advanced of American Coastal Rescue Craft: Associates. The 304-page, softcover marine ship simulator at Georgian A Design History of Coastal Rescue book is available on-line for $14.89 College’s Great Lakes International Craft Used by the U.S. Life-Saving plus S&H from Barnes & Nobel. For Marine Training and Research Centre Service and U.S. Coast Guard . The more details, go to www.bn.com. in Owen Sound, Ont. Tickets for the landmark book was published in 2009 ______ISMA Lodge #15 raffle cost $5 each. by the University of Florida Press as The raffle winners will be announced part of its Perspectives on Maritime The Ships of the Dale Fleets by G.I. “Buck” Longhurst and E.B. “Skip” at 10 p.m. on Feb. 23, 2013 at the History and Nautical Archaeology Steam Whistle Brewery, in Toronto shortly after Wilkinson’s death. Gillham looks at the history and ships of the various marine transportation Ont. Winners need not be present at companies formed from the Reoch the drawing. Proceeds from the raffle will be used to support scholarships NEW PRODUCTS & PUBLICATIONS Steamship Co. Ltd. Founded by Capt. Norman Reoch in 1951, the Reoch line for the marine program at Georgian and its successors operated several College in Owen Sound, Ont. and the Unless otherwise noted, the descriptions vessels with names ending in “dale” programs of Toronto Brigantine, Inc. of items in this column are based solely until 1983. The 164-page, softcover and Adventure Education. For a full on news releases from the supplier. Prices book costs $35 including S&H. For list of prizes or to purchase tickets, shown do not include applicable state or more details or to order a copy, contact Capt. Robert Hull by e-mail provincial sales taxes. Institutions should contact Skip Gillham, 3750 King St., at [email protected]. contact the supplier directly to review Vineland, ON L0R 2C0. samples and for quantity pricing. ______AROUND THE GREAT LAKES ARTWORK Yankcanuck: A Dream Turns Fifty by The Museum Store of the Bay County G.I. “Buck” Longhurst looks back at Historical Society is offering note MARINE the history of Capt. Frank Manzutti’s ART MUSEUM card and postcard sets featuring Yankcanuck Steamship Co. from its marine artwork commissioned in the days as part of Algoma Steel’s marine From June 4 through July 28, 2013, late 19th century by Capt. Benjamin operations to more recent service with the Minnesota Marine Art Museum th Boutell of the Boutell Fleet. Specific Purvis Marine. The 84-page, softcover in Winona, Minn. will host the 15 works in the sets include an image of book includes photographs from the National Exhibition of the American the schooner Twin Sisters which was author’s days with the fleet and other Society of Marine Artists. The travel - built in East Saginaw, Mich. in 1889. sources. It is available for $25 includ - ing exhibit includes over 120 works of There is also an image featuring the ing S&H from Gore Bay and Western painting, sculpture and scrimshaw by steam tugs Traveler and Charleston Manitoulin Museum, P.O. Box 222, Society members. For more details, returning from Canadian waters with Gore Bay, ON P0P 1HO. see www.americanmarineartists.com. VOLUME XXIX NO. 3 ASSOCIATION FOR GREAT LAKES MARITIME HISTORY NEWSLETTER PAGE 9

The Marine Art Museum also recently Manistee Pier Light which is operated launched the Indiana Lake Michigan opened an exhibit entitled “Canadian by the Manistee Historic Museum. Underwater Archaeological Resource Canvases” featuring both historic and U.S.S. EDSON Project. contemporary artwork depicting For the study, the state agency hired Canadian coastal waters, lakes and The destroyer U.S.S. Edson has finally arrived in Bay City, Mich. for use as a Commonwealth Cultural Resources rivers, and the country’s maritime Group of Milwaukee to conduct a industry. Included in the exhibition museum ship. At a special ceremony, the U.S. Navy transferred ownership reassessment of shipwreck sites found are six recently acquired paintings during a 1983 study of fourteen Lake plus several works by Jack Lorimer, of the decommissioned vessel to the th Saginaw Valley Ship Museum. Michigan wrecks in state waters by one of Canada’s most prominent 20 then state archaeologist Gary Ellis. century marine artists. The non-profit group was formed in That study included a detailed survey MICHIGAN MARITIME MUSEUM 1997 with the goal of acquiring the of the wreck of the Muskegon , which destroyer U.S.S. Charles F. Adams . was heavily damaged in a fire in 1910 For the War of 1812 Bicentennial, the Although neither the Adams or Edson while at dock in Michigan City, Ind. Michigan Maritime Museum in South were built in Bay City, the ships are Haven, Mich. opened a temporary representatives of the types of naval Commonwealth Cultural Resources exhibit entitled “War on the Great vessels built there by the Defoe used modern technology and survey Lakes!” The exhibit has 12 display Shipbuilding Co. dives to find most of the fourteen areas covering war-related events wrecks identified by Ellis, as well at Chicago, Detroit and the Straits of After World War II, the shipbuilder as some additional wrecks. The data Mackinac, and the Battle of Lake Erie. built nine ships for the U.S. Navy, collected by the new study will be including two Dealy class destroyer used by state officials to manage the In addition to a diorama of the Battle escorts, four Charles F. Adams -class wreck sites and create a web site with of Lake Erie, also on display in the guided missile destroyers, and three information on the history of the exhibit are handwritten recollections Garcia -class destroyer escorts (later wrecks and their place in state history. of the War of 1812 made by Oliver re-classified as frigates). Defoe also An in-depth article on the results of Williams, the original owner of the built three guided-missile destroyers the Commonwealth study was also sloop Friends Good Will . Those for the Royal Australian Navy. published in the May-June 2012 issue documents record the sloop’s exploits of Outdoor Indiana magazine. during the conflict, starting with its SHIPWRECK SURVIVOR capture by the British at the beginning A presentation by Dennis Hale, the ASHLAND ORE DOCK of the conflict. Also on display are sole survivor of the Daniel J. Morrell , Demolition work on the historic iron muskets, weaponry, paintings and was recently hosted by International ore dock in Ashland, Wis. has started relics from ships that fought in the Shipmasters’ Association-Detroit and is expected to take up to two Battle of Lake Erie. The “War on Lodge No. 7. On the night of Nov. 28, years. The first phase of the project the Great Lakes!” exhibit will be 1966, the Morrell encountered a gale got underway after the city awarded on display through Dec. 31, 2013. that generated winds of up to 70 miles a revised permit to Canadian National In other news, the Michigan Maritime per hour and waves as high as 25 feet. Railway to demolish the structure. st Museum’s 31 annual Classic Boat At 2 a.m., the freighter broke in two The ore dock was constructed in 1915 Show featured more than 30 boats. and sank on Lake Huron, twenty-six by the Minneapolis, St Paul and Sault They ranged from wood-canvas and miles northeast of Harbor Beach, St. Marie Railroad, also known as the strip canoes to restored Chris Craft Mich. The Morrell ’s crew included Soo Line. Built of concrete and steel, runabouts and a hand-built Venetian Hale, a 26-year-old watchman. As the the dock was the third such structure Sandolo. Among those participating ship sank, he got into a life raft with to be built in Ashland. It was used to in the event was the new Great Lakes three crewmen who would later die transfer iron ore mined in the Gogebic Boatbuilding School of Cedarville, of hypothermia. Hale, wearing only Range in northern Wisconsin and Mich. which exhibited a newly-built, nd boxer shorts, a pea coat and a life Upper Michigan to ships bound for 21-foot utility launch. The 32 Classic jacket, survived for nearly 40 hours steel mills on the lower Great Lakes. Boat Show will be on June 22, 2013. after the sinking and was rescued When originally built, the Ashland For more details on the event, see by a U.S. Coast Guard helicopter. dock was 900 feet long and had a www.michiganmaritimemuseum.org. For more than 25 years, Hale has storage capacity of 52,000 tons of ore. MICHIGAN WEST COAST struggled to understand why he was In 1925, it was doubled in length to LIGHTHOUSE FESTIVAL the only person who survived the 1,800 feet and its storage capacity increased to 110,000 tons. After the success of its inaugural wreck. To help deal with his guilt, event last summer, another Michigan he has written two books including At that time, the Ashland facility was West Coast Lighthouse Festival has Shipwrecked - Reflections of the the largest ore dock of its type in the been scheduled for the weekend of Sole Survivor which was published U.S. and a major employer in the city. June 1-2, 2013. The event is sponsored in 2010. Iron ore was brought to it in hopper by the Sable Point Lighthouse Keepers INDIANA SHIPWRECKS rail cars which were emptied into 300 Association which operates the Big storage “pockets” underneath rail Sable Point, Little Sable Point, and With funding from the Lake Michigan lines which ran along the top of the Ludington North Breakwater Lights, Coastal Management Program of the dock. Those rail lines were about 80 and the White River Light Station. All National Oceanic and Atmospheric feet above the surface of the water. four of the Lake Michigan lighthouses Administration (NOAA), the Indiana Continued on next page will be open for tours along with the Department of Natural Resources has PAGE 10 ASSOCIATION FOR GREAT LAKES MARITIME HISTORY NEWSLETTER VOLUME XXIX NO. 3

To get to that height, locomotives had STEAMER KEEWATIN location was redeveloped as part of to push the ore cars up a long wooden Before the former Canadian Pacific a brownfield remediation project. trestle which also became an Ashland Railway steamer Keewatin could The site was originally created using city landmark. Gravity chutes on both begin its voyage from Douglas- fill composed primarily ash, cinders sides of the dock were then used to Saugatuck, Mich. to Port McNicoll, and slag from local iron and steel load ore simultaneously into several Ont., a channel had to be dredged for foundries. Those materials were freighters. The last iron ore from the the 104-year-old vessel through Lake laden with heavy metals and other Gogebic Range was transported to Kalamazoo. hazardous materials. Ashland in 1965. When it was in service, the Keewatin In addition to green space, the new Last September, Ashland city officials drew between 16 and 18 feet of water. Ship Canal Commons includes several announced that they were negotiating Even stripped down for the trip to interpretive panels on local maritime with the Canadian National to acquire Port McNicoll, the 350-foot passenger and industrial history. Large artifacts the base of the 1,800-foot structure to steamer still required a water depth of related to a former ore dock at the site redevelop the dock as a fishing pier. 12 feet. Water in Lake Kalamazoo has have also been retained including the By leaving the base intact, officials an average depth of only 3 to 4 feet. dock wall bollards and portions of noted that the railroad would save the track used by its bridge cranes. the expense of having to remove The $1 million cost of the dredging the 13,000 pilings that support it. project was paid for by the R.J. and ROCK ISLAND LIGHTHOUSE Diane Peterson Great Lakes and S.S. Plans to renovate the Rock Island FORT GRATIOT LIGHT STATION Keewatin Foundation. Funded mostly Light Station in the St. Lawrence by Canadian donors, the foundation With the completion of restoration River near Clayton, N.Y. were delayed will also pay for the towing of the work, the Fort Gratiot Light Station by the New York Office of Parks, Keewatin from Douglas-Saugatuck has been re-opened to the public after Recreation and Historic Preservation to Port McNicoll and overseeing its a four-year closure. The station’s brick due to difficulties in finding qualified renovation. light tower, which was built in 1829, contractors for the $1.1 million project. is one of the oldest such structures In 2011, R.J. and Diane Peterson sold State officials now expect work to be on the Great Lakes. the 104-year-old steamer to Skyline completed in time for a re-opening of The five-acre station is now owned International Development Inc. It will the site to the public in May 2013. be used as a tourist attraction and the by St. Clair County (Mich.), and In addition to improvements to the centerpiece for a renovated waterfront St. Clair Parks and Recreation has station’s 1882 light tower, plans call in Port McNicoll. entered into an agreement with the for building pathways on the four- Port Huron Museum of Port Huron, MCGULPIN POINT LIGHTHOUSE acre island which is now a state park. Mich. to operate it. The museum is Emmet County (Mich.) and volunteers Water and septic systems will also be now offering tours of the site and an installed; a museum created inside the overnight program. That overnight have completed several improvement projects at the 1869 McGulpin Point former keeper’s quarters; and a dock program replaces one the Port Huron installed for tour boats. Museum previously offered aboard Light near the . the decommissioned U.S. Coast Those improvements include a new In addition to a 40-foot light tower Guard Cutter Bramble . walking trail from the lighthouse to and keeper’s quarters, the Rock Island a point overlooking the Straits. Light Station also includes a smoke - In addition to the 82-foot lighthouse, house that dates back to 1847 when the Fort Gratiot Light Station includes Interpretive panels have been added to the lighthouse grounds, and a self- the first lighthouse was built at the a ’s dwelling, a site. There is also a generator building duplex for two assistant lighthouse guided tour using visitor cell phones has been established. County officials built in 1900, and a boathouse that keepers, a former U.S. Coast Guard dates back 1920. building, and a fog signal building. have also repaved the site’s parking Restoration work at the station has lot and approved a $23,500 expansion The Rock Island Light Station was in been funded, in part, by a $370,000 of its gift shop operation. For more service until 1958. The site was listed Save America’s Treasures grant that details, see www.emmetcounty.org/ on the National Register of Historic was matched by funds from the mcgulpin. Places in 1978, one year after it was City of Port Huron. BUFFALO SHIP CANAL donated to the State of New York by the federal government. Before the In addition, the Friends of the Fort Work has been completed on the Ship current project, the last significant Gratiot Light has donated $40,000 Canal Commons, a 22-acre waterfront restoration work on the light station to repair one of the chimneys and park at the former site of the Hanna was done in 1983. replace the roof of the fog signal Furnace iron smelter in Buffalo, N.Y. building. The building is now being The redevelopment project was jointly ERIE MARITIME MUSEUM used as a visitor center for the station. funded by the City of Buffalo, Erie & U.S. BRIG NIAGARA St. Clair County has also received a County, New York State Department The Erie Maritime Museum recently $30,000 matching grant from the of Environmental Conservation, and hosted a presentation on the 1813 Coastal Zone Management program Buffalo Urban Development Corp. Battle of Lake Erie by Gerard T. Altoff. to make the site accessible to people Hanna Furnace began iron smelting Altoff has authored or co-authored with limited mobility. Planned five books about the battle during his improvements include a circular at the site in 1903 and continued until 1982. Located near Route 5 at the career with the U.S. National Parks walkway of the station grounds, Service and the Perry’s Victory and benches and interpretive panels. southern city limits, the waterfront VOLUME XXIX NO. 3 ASSOCIATION FOR GREAT LAKES MARITIME HISTORY NEWSLETTER PAGE 11

International Peace Memorial at to the Middle Island Lightkeepers Amherstburg, Ont. This was the site Put-In-Bay, Ohio. Association Inc. which has leased the where the unsuspecting American schooner Cuyahoga was captured In addition to details of the famous structure from the Coast Guard for on July 2, 1812 shortly after the naval engagement, Altoff discussed more than 20 years. The 71-foot, brick declaration of war. the historic context of the Battle of tower was completed in 1905 and Lake Erie, as well as Commodore marks an area of shallows between The second cruise was to the Rouge Oliver Hazard Perry’s building and Presque Isle and Thunder Bay. River where in July of 1812, scouts manning of the U.S. fleet at Erie, Pa. The Waugoshance Lighthouse has reported that a British gunboat had The presentation closed with a short been acquired by the Waugoshance entered the Rouge. The armed vessel review of the political and military Lighthouse Preservation Society. The appeared to be attempting to transit implications of Perry’s victory. 76-foot brick tower was completed the narrow, winding river to reach the shipyard where the brig U.S.S. In other news, the U.S. Brig Niagara in 1851 and is crowned with a large Adams was laid up. recently underwent Coast Guard “bird cage” style lantern room. It is one of only three lighthouses in the inspection while in dry dock at the American Capt. Antoine Dequindre Great Lakes Shipyard in Cleveland, Great Lakes region to be equipped rushed from Detroit with troops and Ohio. The Niagara is a replica of with this style of lantern room. artillery to stop the British. His sixty Commodore Perry’s Battle of Lake Since the Waugoshance Lighthouse men and artillery took cover in a Erie flagship. went into service, frequent storms wooded ravine at a turn in the river. When the British vessel was sheering Built in 1988, the 300-ton, 198-foot have taken a toll on its brick exterior to make the turn, American cannon vessel requires regular inspections to and the off-shore crib on which it was opened fire and quickly put three or be eligible to carry passengers. During built. A major reconstruction project four shots into the ship’s hull near the the hull survey portion of this year’s was done by the U.S. Lighthouse water line. inspection, it was determined that Service in 1865, but within two years four hull planks needed replacement. the station was again on the verge of According to an eyewitness account, Each plank measured 30 feet long, collapsing into Lake Michigan. the surprise was complete and the 9 inches wide, and 3 inches thick. The Waugoshance Light’s tower was British gunboat was not able to return fire from any of its four cannon. A few In addition to inspection and repair encased in iron boiler plating in 1883, musket shots were then fired by those work, Great Lakes Shipyard also and Portland cement was poured on board the vessel, and its crew then repainted and caulked the vessel’s between the metal exterior and the quickly rushed to the lifeboats as their hull, rebuilt its engine exhausts and a original soft brick tower. In addition, ship sank beneath them. The British shipboard generator, and removed the the crib supporting the lighthouse then rowed back down the Rouge Niagara’s two, 32-inch propellers for and adjoining keeper’s quarters River and crossed the Detroit River re-balancing. Including the shipyard’s was substantially reinforced. to the Canadian side. donation of $10,000 of materials and With the commissioning of a larger services, the dry docking, inspection and more powerful light at White During the cruise, Ross Ward gave and repair work cost $70,000. Shoals, however, the Waugoshance a short talk on the work of a distant relative, Eber Ward, who salvaged MICHIGAN LIGHTHOUSES Light was decommissioned in 1912. During World War II, the abandoned the British vessel in the 1820s. At the Under the provisions of the National site was used for strafing practice by approximate spot where the gunboat Historic Lighthouse Preservation Act, the U.S. Navy which caused a fire was fired upon and sank some 200 three lighthouses in Michigan have that gutted both the light tower and years ago, a salute was fired with a been transferred to local non-profit keeper’s quarters. flintlock musket by Ralph Naveaux, groups. All three structures were a member of a War of 1812 re-enactors In early 1980s, the boilerplate shell of declared surplus in recent years group from Monroe, Mich. by the U.S. Coast Guard. the Waugoshance Light began to peel away exposing its concrete and brick After the short ceremony, the cruise The Historical Society of South Haven to the elements. Today, the concrete transited the River Rouge to the spot (Mich.) is the new steward of the Lake casing has fallen into the lake and the where the American shipyard had Michigan city’s South Pierhead Light. site has been frequently vandalized. been located in 1812. It is now part of Constructed in 1903, the 37-foot, cast After the U.S. Coast Guard proposed the Woodmere Cemetery. For more on iron structure marks the entrance to demolishing it, the Waugoshance the Great Lakes Maritime Institute, go South Haven Harbor and the mouth Lighthouse Preservation Society to www.glmi.org. of the Black River. was formed in 2000 to preserve LAKE HURON LORE A catwalk to the lighthouse was built and restore the historic structure. MARINE HISTORICAL SOCIETY in 1925 to provide safe access during GREAT LAKES The 31 st annual Great Lakes Maritime heavy seas. It is now only one of four MARITIME INSTITUTE Flea Market of the Lake Huron Lore such structures that still exist in the Marine Historical Society was held state of Michigan. The current South The Great Lakes Maritime Institute at Riverview Plaza Mall in St. Clair, Haven Pierhead Light replaced the of Detroit, Mich. has sponsored two Mich. The event attracted more than first lighthouse at the site which was cruises to commemorate the start of 30 vendors offering various items a wooden structure built in 1872. the War of 1812 in the Detroit area. One of the cruises was a three-hour relating to the ships and shipping Title to the Middle Island Lighthouse trip down the Detroit River, around industry of the region. on Lake Huron has been transferred Bob-Lo Island, to the community of Continued on next page PAGE 12 ASSOCIATION FOR GREAT LAKES MARITIME HISTORY NEWSLETTER VOLUME XXIX NO. 3

Among the items offered for sale were The Great Storm would last until late and special exhibits on the Great historic artifacts, books, photographs, on Monday, Nov. 10, 1913. By the time Storm are also in the works at the shipwreck items, artwork, and other it ended, the five-day weather event Bruce County Museum & Cultural memorabilia. Proceeds from the event had claimed 19 ships and the lives of Centre (www.brucemuseum.ca) in are used by the Marine Society to help over 260 mariners. Since most of the Southampton. The Lambton Heritage support the Lee M. Cooper Marine losses occurred on Lake Huron, the Museum (www.lclmg.org) in Grand Gallery at the Port Huron Museum in Great Lakes Carriers’ Association set Bend will open a special exhibit on Port Huron, Mich. The next Maritime up its recovery operations in the port the Great Storm in May of 2013. Market will be held on June 9, 2013. of Goderich, Ont. A highlight of the “Remembrance” For more information on the event, The Association also conducted most will be the presentation of a new go to www.lakehuronlore.com. of its post-tragedy investigations at musical drama based on historical On April 6, the Historical Society will Goderich. During public hearings, events. The drama is being written host its first dinner program of 2013 shipmasters recounted waves reached and directed by Warren Robinson, at the West Haven Baptist Church in at least 35 feet in height and occurred with music and choreography under Port Huron, Mich. Dick Wicklund will in rapid succession, with three waves the direction of Eleanor Robinson. present “Lighthouse Bob: The Legacy frequently striking one after another. Plans call for it to be staged in of Bob Hanford and the Fort Gratiot Eyewitness also reported that the Goderich and Sarnia. Lighthouse.” On May 4, Society will storm’s wind often blew opposite There are also plans to honor those host a presentation entitled “The Loss to the waves resulting in a cyclonic who lost their lives during the Great Of The Side-Wheeler Keystone State ” motion, a phenomenon rarely seen Storm during an inter-denominational by marine artist Bob McGreevy. on the Great Lakes. church service in Goderich on U.S. COAST GUARD MLB Late in the afternoon of November 10, November 10 of this year. It will not a vessel was spotted floating upside- be unlike the ceremony that was held Joe Bercik of Sandusky, Ohio has down in southern Lake Huron near in the community shortly after the acquired and restored a former U.S. the mouth of the St. Clair River. After storm subsided. Coast Guard Motor Life Boat (MLB) making front page news for several that served for many years on the Organizers of this year’s centennial days, the “mystery ship” eventually West Coast of the United States. After commemoration also hope that a sank in about 60 feet of water. It was decommissioning, the 44-foot vessel permanent memorial can be created later identified as the 504-foot had two private owners before Bercik to honor those who lost their lives freighter Charles S. Price . purchased it at a sheriff’s sale in during the Great Storm of 1913. Seattle, Wash. The Great Storm of 1913 resulted Tentative plans envision a large, in widespread criticism of the U.S. marine-themed metal sculpture to The MLB (Hull No. 44364) was built Weather Bureau and calls for more be commissioned from a local artisan. in 1966 at the Curtis Bay Shipyard accurate weather forecasting and in Baltimore, Md. An ex-U.S. Coast PORT HURON MUSEUM better communication of marine storm Guardsman, Bercik had the vessel warnings. There was also criticism of The Port Huron Museum is working transported to Sandusky where it was shipping companies and shipbuilders with both the “Remembrance” event, restored to something more closely which led to a series of conferences to as well as planning for its own series resembling its original appearance. develop safer vessel designs. of memorials, re-enactments, and a EASTLAND DISASTER special exhibit dedicated to the Great According to the organizers of the HISTORICAL SOCIETY Storm’s impact on the Blue Water “Remembrance” commemoration, Area of southern Lake Huron. An original musical based on the several marine transportation firms, story of the heroes and victims of the trade organizations, marine heritage “(The commemoration) maybe the Eastland Disaster of 1915 has debuted groups and educationals institutions biggest undertaking we’ve had in a at Chicago’s LookingGlass Theater. from across the Great Lakes region very long time at the museum,” said The musical was created by Andrew have agreed to participate in the Susan Bennett, Port Huron’s executive White, the theater group’s award- event. For the most current details, director, in a recent press interview. In winning artistic director. Support for see www.1913storm.ca. January, a group of museum officials, the production came, in part, from the local historians and others traveled to ONTARIO EVENTS Eastland Disaster Historical Society. the Cranbrook Institute of Science in For more information on the musical On Sept. 18, 2013, there will be a Bloomfield Hills, Mich. near Detroit and current show times, go to kick-off event for the fall schedule of to view its “Extreme Deep: Mission http://lookingglasstheatre.org. “Remembrance” events at the Huron to the Abyss” exhibit. County Museum in Goderich, Ont. It The exhibit includes a special section will be preceded and followed by on the Great Lakes Storm of 1913. The Great Storm programs and special exhibits at Port Huron group received a behind- Lake Huron communities from the-scenes tour of the exhibit, which Continued from Page 1 Sarnia north to Southampton, Ont. includes artifacts from the Port Huron 50 miles west of Whitefish Point in Programs include a speaker series Museum’s permanent collection. For Lake Superior. After badly damaging on successive Thursday nights at the the museum’s upcoming Great Storm the steamer, the storm quickly spread Huron County Museum beginning in exhibit, the Cranbrook Institute will to the waters of Lakes Michigan and September (see www.huroncounty.ca/ be loaning the institution the graphics Huron, and beyond. museum for more details). Programs from its “Extreme Deep” exhibit.