MARINE SOCIETY. Incorporated in the State of Michigan October 21,1963

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1 LAKE LORE MARINE SOCIETY Incorporated in the State of Michigan October 21, Vol. XXII, No.6 November I December, Terry Doyon (Editor) 272 Elgin St. Samia, ON, N7T 5B6 Cy Hudson (Assistant Editor) Membership (annual) - $12.00 (US.) $18.00 (Can. funds). Send to: L.H.L. Port Huron Museum, 11156th St., Port Huron, MI Phone (810) EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE DIRECTORS President V. President Secretary Treasurer - Fred Miller - Paul Schmitt - Karen Gorski - Cy Hudson Ray Baw;11 Jr. Terry Doyon Andy Rosales Gareth McNabb Dick Wicklund Gene Buel (Hon. Advisory Director) A.NNOUNCKMENTS Don't forget that our last Member's Slide Night for 2001 will be held at the Port Huron Museum on Saturday, October 27th at 7 p.m. Bring along your slides and a friend if you wish, all are wel~ome. You may be the lucky door prize winner. Our September 29th dinner meeting, held at the Museum, was also a joint meeting with our friends of the Marine Historical Society of Detroit. The entertainment program, Lake Erie Passenger Steamers - The Beginning, given by Andy Sykora of Rocky River, OH was well attended by 68 members and their guests. Andy presented many early views of the passenger boats which opened up Lake Erie to greater commercial opportunities in immigration and business in the early 1800's. The evening also provided Steve Williams, the Museum Director, the opportunity to present Kay Richardson with a model of the train barge Pere Marquette 10 and her tug C & 0452 which was commissioned as a memorial tribute to her husband, the late Captain Ted Richardson who passed away in March, Ted worked on this St. Clair River railcar ferry for many years, he was, as he often said, "A lunch bucket sailor". The beautiful model was made by one of our Society's Life Members, Herman Chapman of St. Clair Shores, MI. Our congratulations to Herman for his excellent craftsmanship which is now on display in the Museum's Marine Gallery. For our dinner raffle, thewisd

donated 3 of their 2002 calendars which were won by Bob Buslawski of Clinton Towllship, MI, Dan Bell of Capac, MI and Sharon Daugharty of Marysville, MI.

2 donated 3 of their 2002 calendars which were won by Bob Buslawski of Clinton Towllship, MI, Dan Bell of Capac, MI and Sharon Daugharty of Marysville, MI. Barbara Babel of Jeddo, MI won a gift certificate for an enjoyable trip for 2 on the tour boat Huron Lady II, donated by owner Captain John Rigney. Lake Huron Lore President Fred Miller donated 2 packs of Post Notes which were won by Richard Duncan of Port Huron and Sarah Sturdevant of Fort Gratiot, MI. Two T-shirts, donated by the Interlake Steamship Company, were won by David Figgs and Jennifer Lowe, both of Marine City, MI. The book, Master of the Inland Seas, donated by Lake Huron Lore, was won by Dick Wicklund of Burton, MI, and Jim Gallant of Cambridge, ON was the winner of a copy of Ahoy & Farewell II, donated by the MHSD. Our guest speaker of the evening, Andy Sykora, kindly donated 8 shipping prints and more than 50 copies of The Inland Seas, the Great Lakes Historical Society magazine for our audience to enjoy. The lucky print winners were Dan Michelson of New Baltimore, MI, Jim Gallant of Cambridge, ON, Lucille Logan of Walled Lake, MI, Fred Heise of Marysville, MI, Mary Better of Harrison Twp, MI, George & Edith Hoyer of Marine City, MI, and Wilma Comeau of Sterling Heights, MI. Our thanks to those who donated items for our evening's raffle. Mark your calendar - Our last dinner meeting for 2001, also a joint MHSD meeting, vvill be held on Saturday, November 10th at the Port Huron Museum. The doors will be opened at 6 p.m. and the dinner will be served by the Museum Guild at 6:30. The cost is $10.00 (U.S. funds) per person with a check or money order made payable to the MUSEUM GUILD along with the enclosed yellow reservation slip, to be received by the closing date of Friday, November 2nd. Please include your phone number and write Dinner Meeting on your envelope. Our guest speaker for the evening will be Chris Roth of Sterling Heights, MI who will present his program, The Wreck of the Propeller Troy. L. H. L. Board of Directors Alteration - Gene Bue1, a 20 year plus Board Member recently announced, with great reluctance, his resignation owing to his increasing work load with his various hobbies and interests. Over the years the popular and well known Gene has unselfishly donated many long hours of work to our Society and, in recognition of his faithful and devoted service, the Board has conferred upon him a Life Membership as well as the position of Honorary Advisory Director. Gene has assured the Board he will still be available to assist in future activities. Accordingly, the Board, under Article 111, section 4 of our Constitution, has filled the vacant Director's seat by electing Dick Wicklund of Burton, MI to serve the remainder of Gene's term of office. Our thanks to Gene for his long and faithful service. New Members - 1. H. 1. wishes to welcome aboard Sharon Daugharty of Marysville, MI Membership Dues - Membership renewals for next year are now being accepted by our treasurer, Cy Hudson. Why not give a 1. H. 1. membership to a relative or friend this Christmas? The Society dues remain at $12.00 (U.S. funds) and $18.00 (Can. funds) for our Canadian members, with all checks or money orders made payable to L.H.L. Marine Society. Please remit your renewal using the enclosed pink slip and your membership will be renewed for the 2002 calendar year. Your prompt reply will assist to reduce the Society's financial costs. Also, please don't send dinner reservations and membership renewals in the same envelope. The Apple Dumpling Gang - On Thursday, September 20th, 18 members of "the gang" enjoyed favorable weather on their 12th Annual Apple Dumpling trip on the Hammond Bay to Wallaceburg, ON as guests of fellow 1. H. 1. members David & George Lee. Following the traditional Apple Dumpling desert at Wallaceburg's Fiesta Restaurant, the gang spent time visiting the town museum and local shops. Thanks go out to the Lee brothers/ for their generosity in making a great day out for all who attended. Why Do We Say It? "Show His True Colors" - How did we get the expression show his true colors? The allusion here is to the privateer or pirate whose ship flew the flag of a friendly nation when approaching the prize. It travelled under false colors until it was within cannon shot. Then the pirate or privateer lowered the flag he was flying and raised his true flag - and so showed his true colors. 2

I Tis An ill Wind. By Cy Hudson There is an old saying "Tis an ill wind that blows nobody any good." Someone profits by every loss; someone usually benefits by every misfortune.

3 I Tis An ill Wind. By Cy Hudson There is an old saying "Tis an ill wind that blows nobody any good." Someone profits by every loss; someone usually benefits by every misfortune. In this case it means the Port of Churchill on Hudson Bay, Manitoba, named after John Churchill, ( ) 1st Duke of Marlborough, governor of the Hudson Bay Company ( ). Prior to World War I, a port development had been planned at Hudson Bay at Port Nelson. Later, this site was abandoned in favor of Port Churchill, N W., and work began on the port during the late 1920's. We are all well aware of the world wide effect of the global wanning which has occurred during the past few decades, wide spread flooding, mild winters then severe ones, heavy rains, and droughts. Our weather certainly does not appear to be what it used to be. The Great Lakes have suffered from fluctuation in water levels, which in turn has caused problems for the shipping industry which cannot carry full capacity cargoes. However, the global warming has benefited Port Churchill by this changed weather pattern which has caused the ice cover to retreat on Hudson Bay by about 1/3 in the last thirty years. The shipping season for the port, because of insurance rates, normally starts July 21st until October 21st with an average of vessels loading grain cargoes annually. The year 2000 saw an increase in trade when 27 ships loaded prairie grain with a lower cost of $20 a ton in shipping costs, when compared with Thunder Bay, ON which usually ships the majority of the grain from that part of Canada to the Eastern seaboard and overseas. Competition between the two ports may well grow if Omnitrax Inc. of Denver, CO, who recently bought the port and access railroad in 1997, go ahead with their plans to open Churchill from the 1st of July until the end of November. Ships can load with up to 50,000 tons of grain, double the amount the Thunder Bay ships may carry, also there is quicker passage to the Atlantic Ocean. The Seaway Canal and Pilotage fees would also be avoided. The Canadian Iakers, who normally move large quantities of grain cargoes, could possibly not be required in the future if the Canadian grain shippers utilise the cheaper Port Churchill route. Another fact which must be taken into consideration is the number of ships with ice-breaking reinforced hulls which have recently been built and would be well suited for the Hudson Bay shipping trade. Footnote: Thanks to member Dan McCormick of Massena, NY for his assistance with this story. For those who are interested in genealogy and may be wondering if Sir Winston Churchill ( ), the English politician, was a descendant of John Churchill, 1st Duke of Marlborough. Winston was born at Blenheim Palace, the Marlborough family residence, the son of Lord Randolph Churchill who was a son of the 7th Duke of Marlborough. *** NAME THIS SHIP *** Photo Port Huron Museum Collection Answer is on Pg. 7 C'o~2~~~~~;~~7{1~';;f~1~~!0~;:~ ~ -=:.~- ~~~';:;;-~I::"~~'-':""T~ ',:~ ~ -:.~.~:;:.~-._~-:::-

4 The Steamer Darius Cole Our thanks to Gene Buel for the Special Excursion Advert from his collection. The Cole, built for the Western Navigation Company, was a product of the Globe Shipbuilding Company, Cleveland, OH as Hull #8 in July, Launched as a combination passenger I package freighter, she was renamed Huron (3) in 1906 so this advertisement must have been issued in the first 21 years of her service. She, was later converted to an automobile carrier by Toledo Shipbuilding Company, Toledo, OH in In 1921 she had another conversion, this time to a combination passenger I automobile carrier by American Shipbuilding Company at Cleveland, OH and renamed Colonial (2). Disaster struck the vessel when she caught on fire off Barcelona, NY on September 2nd, The composite hull burned to the water's edge with the loss of 4 crew members who drowned in the escape attempt. The beached hull was later sold to a Dunkirk, NY scrap dealer for $500., Sr,~R'_C,O'LEL'INE9S fgiai fxcursi~ =, TO rr:a::e,...i I. Detroit Exposition SEJ?T..17th"~O' a7tb. DARIUS~COLE " WilL LEAVE PORT' HUROtI DAILY AT 7.00 A. M.j Sarnia, 7.05; St. Glair, 7.45; Marine City, 8.15; Roberts' Landing, 8.35; Algonac, 8,50; Landing at the EXPOSITION GROUNDS, 1.00 P. M. Returning will Leave Griswold Street Wharf, 4.15 P. M., City Time; Exposition vyharf at 5.00 P. M., giving EXC\:1rsionists }"'OUlt HOUltS ON '1>(JI]~GltOUNDS Tickets, 50c. Round '-rip, Good to Return on either Stnr Cole Line Steamer until S"nt. 28th. 4 The Steamer IDLEWI LD will take the, COLE'S place, leaving Port Huron Daily at 4 P. M. and Detroit, 9 A. M., City Time. Fare same as Above from all St. Clair 'River Ports. ' C. F. BIELIUAN, G. P. A.

NAUTICAL NEWS QUESTIONS & ANSWERS ABOUT THE WELLAND CANAL A unique 16 page booklet is now available to answer the 27 most frequently asked questions about the Welland Canal.

5 NAUTICAL NEWS QUESTIONS & ANSWERS ABOUT THE WELLAND CANAL A unique 16 page booklet is now available to answer the 27 most frequently asked questions about the Welland Canal. Most Frequen,tly-Asked Questions About The Weiland Canal touches on everything from trivia to engineering data in regard to the 43 kilometre (27 mile) waterway which allows ships to pass between Lakes Erie and Ontario. Published and distributed by the Welland Canals Foundation, a not-for-profit volunteer organization, the informative booklet can be obtained by sending a check or money order for $2.00 (U.S. funds) or $3.00 (Can. funds) to Well and Canals Foundation, 63 Church St., Suite 400, St. Catharines, Ont., Canada, L2R 3C4. HURON LIGHTSHIP'S NEW SOUND Site manager Wayne Arnold announced that the Huron's foghorn has been repaired by Andrew Wagner, a Grade 11 volunteer, and restored to the original sound. The foghorn, which can be heard up to 10 miles away if the wind is right, was initially repaired a year ago but was said to sound "not quite the same". Andrew was able to return the "OH" back in the "BEE-OH". Wayne added, "There is nothing like hearing it in all it's glory". SEA WA Y'S CLOSING DATES The closing dates for the St. Lawrence Seaway's 2001 season and the opening date for the 2002 were recently announced by the St. Lawrence Seaway Management Corp. in Canada and the U.S. Saint Lawrence Seaway Developement Corp. The WeIland Canal proposed closing will be 8 am, December 24th, though additional passages would be allowed if operating conditions permit them. The Seaway will be open next spring on the 26th of March, three days later than this year's March 23rd opening date. MARINE SCENE 10 years ago... (1991) Dec. 2nd - The Federal Schelde with a cargo of peas bound for Spain was the last saltwater vessel to sail from Thunder Bay for the season. Manitowoc Company of Manitowoc, WI announced that it had bought Merce Industries and would take over the Toledo, OH drydock operations. Former president Henry Merce Jr. would remain with the new owners for three years. ' Dec. 19th - The Cape Transport (C ) arrived at Windsor, ON under tow of the McKeil's tugs Glenbrook (C ) and Lac Manitoba (C ). The tank barge was to be used by AD.M. Aggregates Industries to store vegetable oil. Dec. 20th - The Cypriot flag Kallio was the last salty downbound at the WeIland Canal. IW. Westcott Company closed their 118th season of operation when the mail boat J. W Westcott 11 serviced the downbound American Mariner (US ). Dec. 23rd - Operations of the U.S. locks at Massena, NY closed for the season with the Canadian Navigator (C ) downbound and the Montrealais (C ) upbound. Dec. 24th - The WeIland Canal saw the last complete downbound passage when the Algocape (1) (C ) cleared the Canal. Dec. 25th - The WeIland Canal was officially closed for the season when the tug Challenger (US ) with the barge Hannah 5101, sailed from Port Colborne bound for Buffalo, NY 20 years ago... (1981) Nov. 3rd - Dismantling of the 1905 built lake bulk freighter H. C. Heimbecker (C ) was started by Triad Salvage at Ashtabula, OH (completed by 1982). Nov. 9th - Collingwood Shipyards launched Hull 222, the 600 ft. stern section for Canada Steamship Lines. This stern section was towed to the Portship Yard at Thunder Bay, ON in early May, 1982 where the bow section had been built. Once the two sections were joined together, the 730 ft. vessel was float-launched on June 11th and christened Atlantic Superior (C ). 5

Nov. 12th - The Tug Malcolm (US 518191) arrived at Bay Shipbuilding, Sturgeon Bay, WI with Medusa Cement's Pioneer (3) (US 243587) to be converted to a cement holding hull. The vessel was renamed e.r.e. No.

6 Nov. 12th - The Tug Malcolm (US ) arrived at Bay Shipbuilding, Sturgeon Bay, WI with Medusa Cement's Pioneer (3) (US ) to be converted to a cement holding hull. The vessel was renamed e.r.e. No.1 in 1981 and towed to South Chicago, IL arriving there on April 28th, Nov. 13th - The Conallison (C ), a vessel built in 1905 as Hull 14 by the Great Lakes Engineering Works at Ecorse, J'v1I, made her last voyage when she arrived at Toronto to be laid up. She was later towed to Spain and scrapped in Canadian Pioneer (C ), the newly built ocean self-unloading bulk freighter for Upper ~akes Shipping of Toronto, made her first eastbound trip when she passed through the WeIland Canal with a grain cargo loaded in Toledo bound for Sorel, QC. Nov. 15th - The J.F. Vaugnan, the former Ma.xine (US ), was towed from Chicago by the Tug Malcolm (US ) to load a soy bean cargo at Toledo. The storage cargo arrived at Hamilton, ON on November 27th. Her new owner, the Soo River Company of Thorold, ON officially registered the J.F. Vaughan (C ) on April 15th. Nov. 19th - The 1927 built tug Dolomite (US ) was christened Chippewa at the Soo by NorAro Towing Company. Dec. 7th - The WW Holloway (US ) arrived at the Toledo Frog Pond to be laid up for the last time. She was to be later sold to be scrapped in Dec. 14th - The William P. Synder, Jr. (US ) was towed from Ashtabula to Toledo by the "G" tug Ohio (3) (US ) for cha,rter service by Seaway LineS of Chicago. These plans did not materialise and the Snyder, Jr. was later sold in mid:"1986 to International Marine Salvage of Port Colborne. Dismantling began in 1988, however much of the ship's fine woodwork was saved for later display at the Dossin Great Lakes Museum on Belle Isle, Detroit. Dec. 18th - The Ford Motor C?ompany.decided to permanently place in lay-up the Benson Ford (1) (US ) at the Ford plant in the Rouge River. Dec. 25th - A tragedy occured in the early hours of Christmas Day when a fire broke out in the after cabin of Haleo Inc.'s tanker Hudson Transport (C ) while on a voyage from Montreal to the Magdalen Islands in the Gulf of the St. Lawrence with a 37,000 barrel cargo of bunker "C" oil. The calamity resulted in the death of7 members of her 21 crew when' their life raft collapsed in the freezing water. The fire lasted 48 hours before it was finally contained and extinguished. The vessel was then towed to Baie Comeau, QC and her 7,000 ton cargo of oil was transferred to one of her fleet-mates, the Gaspe Transport (C ). The 355'-6" long Hudson Transport, built in 1962 at Lauzon, QC by Davie Shipbuilding, was then towed to Quebec City on December 30th by the tug Capt. lonnis S. (C ). The burnt-out tanker ;was sold for scrap to Marine Salvage and towed to Rameys Bend in the WeIland Canal in May, The following year the vessel was towed to Toronto, the cabins and engines were removed and the ship was converted to a tank-barge. Renamed Scurry, the barge went back to work in 1987 together with the tug Tusker, but only saw limited service. After spending a considerable amount of time tied-up at Sarnia the pair were sold to Nigerian interests and in May, 1992, the tug and barge, renamed Bode and Remi respectively, left Sarnia and began the long journey to Africa. 30 years ago... (1971) Nov. 25th - Thanksgiving Day saw the arrival at Port Huron of the tug Taboga (US ), an addition to Malcolm Marine Salvage of Port Huron. Built for the U.S. Navy in 1943 as ATA-172, she was purchased in 1947 by the Panama Canal Co., and renamed Taboga after a small Pacific island off Panama. Malcolm Marine did not rename the 143 ft. ocean-going salvage tug and sold the vessel in 1974 to Hannah Marine Corp. who renamed her Daryl C. Hanhah (1). In 1988~:the tug was sold again to Selvick Marine Towing and renamed Carl Will~am Selvick. Two years later, the tug changed ownership again when she was purchased by Marintec Towing & Salvage of Panama and renamed Ro~a M, no doubt returning to Panamanian waters once again. Dec. 18th - The Greek flagged Akra Rion, a 389 ft. freighter was the last salty of the season to pass down the WeIland Canal. The Edito'r would like to thank Asst. Editor Cy Hudson. 6

BLUEWATER AREA SHIPWRECKS -------------------------------------------------------------- ARGUS Argus (US 200211) was another of the victims of the "Great Storm" of November, 1913 that swept the Great

7 BLUEWATER AREA SHIPWRECKS ARGUS Argus (US ) was another of the victims of the "Great Storm" of November, 1913 that swept the Great Lakes and particularly Lake Huron. The ship sailed from Buffalo with a load of coal on November 7th only to be lost with all hands on Lake Huron on November 9th - 10th. The 436 foot long by 50 foot wide bulk carrier was observed to be in trouble by the crew of the George G. CrawfQrd. Unfortunately, the blowing snow and thundering waves prevented them from rendering any assistance. They report~d Argus was wallowing in the trough of the seas and "crumpled like an eggshell". Twenty-four lives were lost when she went down.. Argus had been a product of the American Shipbuilding Company and the hull was launched at Lorian, Ohio on August 5th, The vessel originally sailed for the Gilchrist Transportation Company as Lewis Woodruff before joining Interlake Steamships in 1913 as Argus. A minor collision with the W C. Richardson at Sault Ste. Marie in June, 1913 resulted in some bow damage. She was registered at 4,707 gross tons, 3,300 net tons and was able to carry 7,000 tons deadweight. A triple expansion engine, with steam from a pair of scotch boilers, provided power. Photo: Milwaukee Public Library Answer to Name This Shiv (1)2:. 3) Sulphite (US ) 142'-0" length x 27'-6" breadth x 16'-0" depth, 433 GRT. Built in 1919 as tug a) Ballew (Hull # 2123) at Elizabeth, New Jersey by the Bethlehem Shipbuilding Corp. for the wartime U.S. Shipping Board. Sold in 1924 to Detroit Sulphite Transportati.on Co. and began towing pulpwood barges to a mill in Detroit, MI. Renamed b) Sulphite iri Ownership and registration of the tug changed in 1939 to the Canadian company Driftwood Lands & Timber Co. Ltd. Her new registration was C She towed barges Delkote, Swederope and Mitschfibre. Operation of the tug & barges was purchased in 1956 by Hindman Transportation Co. of Owen Sound, ON. The Sulphite was dismantled at Goderich, ON in 1966, loaded onto the barge NJitschfibre and towed to Ashtabula, OH as scrap. 7

$~vrt'lspotligl{7' PROJECT AMERICAS '8~Z', ~, (Z'O-e/;9-) S'-kilt {sa[tyaug@yalioo.com}.. Built in 1979 by Martin Jansen Schiffswerft u. Mfbk.; Leer, West Germany as Hull # 157.

8 $~vrt'lspotligl{7' PROJECT AMERICAS '8~Z', ~, (Z'O-e/;9-) S'-kilt Built in 1979 by Martin Jansen Schiffswerft u. Mfbk.; Leer, West Germany as Hull # 157. Length - 455'-10" Breadth -70'-8" Depth - 42'- 8" 9,768 GRT M. RoRo Cargo/General Cargo/Heavy-load Main Engine - 9,999 bhp MaK The Project Americas was a regular visitor to the Great Lakes. The name Mammoet is familiar with special, heavy-lift cargoes. The fleet of ships with their yellow hulls and forward superstructures always turned heads, even those with little interest in ship watching. Her first trip to the Seaway was in She was owned by Americas Schiffahrts & Co. K.G., and her registry was that of West Germany. She did not visit the Seaway every year but did pass through the Port Huron / Sarnia area on more than one occasion. Sometime after 1982 her listed owner changed to Project Carriers AG. & Co. Americas Schiffahrts K.G. The vessel visited the Seaway once in 1985 and twice in Her first 1986 visit was to deliver the main engine for the new American containership Sea-Land Kodiak, which was under construction by Bay Shipbuilding at Sturgeon Bay, WI. While on her second Seaway trip that year, she collided with the Panamanian registered World Palm while transiting the WeIland Canal. Damage to both vessels was minimal. She visited again in 1987 and, while in Oshawa, ON, she was re-registered in the African country of Togo. She did not appear on the Lakes again until 1991 and was then registered in the Netherlands Antilles. Her ownership in the Lloyds Edition is Mammoet Shipping (Neth. Ant.) B.Y. She entered the Seaway again on Aug. 2nd, 1994 bound for Chicago. In November of that year the heavy-lift vessel was reported to be sold for demolitio!1. She was sold to Indian shipbreakers and was anchored off Alang, India on November 28th, The Project Americas was beached on December 6th at the young age of 15 years. The ship had retained her name throughout her career, an unusual fact for a salt water ship. Project Americas Downbound at Lake Huron Cut Buoys 1 & 2 on Aug. 17th, Doug Schilz Photo Correction - Salty Spotlight Vol. XXII, No.5: The Ocean Seagull made her 1st trip into the Seaway on July 3rd, 1980 and returned later that year in November. Thanks to Rene Beauchamp for the helpful information.

Who is the Oldest Grand Lady of the Great Lakes?

Who is the Oldest Grand Lady of the Great Lakes? Steaming, Internet photo Launched in February 7, 1906 she was designed to be traditional Great Lakes bulk carrier as hull #17 by Great Lakes Engineering