The Brandon news., 1916-06-22
Old Wooden Steamers, Barges
and Schooners Being Pre-
pared for Commerce.
LAKE CRAFT FOR THE SEA
"Get Everything That VIII Float"
Was 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 hulls of dead
ships. The sound of many hammers
and the ear-splitting clatter Of calk-
ing mauls combine to make steady
din which no ghost can stand.
For years they were undisturbed.
The old wooden steamers, barges and
schooners in which they held their
revels were no 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 war in Europe with it's de-
structive effect upon shipping and the
increased demand for tonnage.
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 shipbuilding ac-
tivity such as that once rich and ac-
tive port has not 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 the Atlantic coast as soon as they
can be made ready. Perhaps the best
known craft of this fleet 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 one
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 it was the boast of the company
and crew that with her construction
and power she could stem any gale
that ever blew, and the fact that she
is af1oat today after all of the many
chances that were taken with her
proves that they were correct. Old
timers we'll remember the Gettysburg's
awful battle to save a raft on Lake
Huron in terrible hurricane of wind
and snow 35 years ago.
1t was late in December. and the
Gettysburg was the last ship out. The
elements were contrary and the bliz-
zard struck with awful force. The
hours heightened into days and still
the grand old ship and her heroic crew
hung on to 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 to
jam holes IN her sides every minute.
Cooking meals was out OF the Ques-
fion, and the crew subsisted on what
cold food they could find. but still
clung to the priced raft. But ship
and crew were 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 to Her Trust.
Some days later, when 1t was
thought that the Gettysburg had sure
ly foundered with all on board, the
proud ship steamed through the Port
Huron rapids with booms and logs. fas-