Western liberal. (Lordsburg, N.M.) 1887-1919, 1916-06-23
CALL OF TRADE
DRAGS VESSELS
FROM BONEYARD
Old Wooden Steamers, Bargss
and SChOOners Being Pre-.
pared for Commerce.
LAKE CRAFT FOR THE SEA
Get Everything That VIII Float"
Mas the Order. and the Fate Of the
Ghosts Was Sealed-War
Causes Increased Demand
for Tonnage.

Detroit. Mich.-The ghosts have fed
from Belle river. Rude hands have
snatched aside hatch covers and al
lowed the sunlight to violate their
sanctuaries in the dark bulls of dead
ships. The sound Of many hammers
and the ear-splitting clatter of calk-
ing mauls combine to make a steady
din which no ghost can stand.
For years they were undisturbed.
The old wooden steamers, barges and
s%chooners in which they held their
revels were 40 longer accounted
worthy OF a place in the line of com
merce. AS their usefulness was over
each was sent to this spot; away from
the tugging OF the current, safe from
the winds and storms. to rest in hon.
orable peace until their bones slowly
rotted away and they sank beneath the
placid waters of the river.
Long years passed and the ghosts
became the only proprietors. the only
inmates of the venerable hulks. Then
came the wal in Europe with it's de-
structiye effect upon shipping and the
increased demand for tonnag..
Get anything that will float" was
the order and the fate of the ghosts
was sealed. But with their going has
come TO Marine City a shipbuilding ac-
tivity such as that once rich and ac-
tive port has o witnessed In over a
generation.
Rebuilt for Ocean Trade.
The majority OF the wooden pack
cts will soon leave forever the scene
OF their former triumphs. for they are
being rebuilt, %rerigged. and will leave
for he Atlantic coast as soon as they
can be made ready. Perhaps the best
known craft OF this feet of other days
Is the steam barge Gettysburg. once
the pride OF Gen. Russell A. Alger Of
Detroit. and named by him In honor
OF the battle In which he and so
many brave Michigan boys partici-
pated
The Gettysburg was built IN Cleve
land about 40 years ago. and is n
OF the finest examples OF the old ship.
builders art that can be found any.
where. She was built for carrying
freight and for towing the enormous
RATS Of the Alger lumber interests.
and II was the boast Of the company
and crew that with her construction
and power she could stem ny gale
that ever blew. and the fact that she
Is ahoat today after all OF the many
chances that we're taken with her
proves that they we're correct. Old.
timers well remember the Gettysburg
awful battle to save a raft on Lake
Huron in a terrible hurricane OF wind
and snow IS years ago.
II was late In December, and the
Gettysburg ives the last ship out. The
elements we're contrary. and the bliz-
gard struck with awful force. The
hours heightened into days and still
the grand old ship and her heroic crew
hung on 10 the raft. The Gettysburg
pitched and plunged. and in the
trough OF the heavy sea rolled first
one rail and then the other under wa.
ter with floating logs threatening 10
Jam holes In her sides every mil ute.
Cooking meals was out OF the ques.
ton. and the crew subsisted on what
cold food they could find. but still
chung to the priced raft. Hut ship
and crew we're no match for the wind
and waves and In twos. threes and
skies the logs continued TO go until
they were scattered for many miles
along the Lake Huron shore.
Faithful 20 Her Trust.
Some days later. when II wal
thought that the Gettysburg had cure
~ foundered with all on board. the
proud ship steamed through the POrI
Huron rapids with booms and logs. fas