Rowing Reporter

The Rowing Reporter is a weekly column of commentary and
observations by Ike Stephenson, Marine Informationist. It
concentrates on the home waters of Around the World of
Sailing, Lake Michigan and Muskegon Lake.
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Book Scout Look Out

One of Muskegon's nicknames is the Port City. One might ask 
then what is the history of the port portion of the city. 
Until now this subject had not received book length 
treatment.

That has now been solved with the publication of Elizabeth 
Sherman's 'Beyond the Windswept Dunes' the story of Maritime 
Muskegon. Sherman takes the Muskegon waterfront story from 
the fur traders right up to the development and debate of a 
cross lake ferry.

In reading a book that is local history one should always 
keep sources in minds. For instance major historical events 
such as the Declaration of Independence often have numerous 
sources both from participants and journalists, commentators 
and historian. The local historian typically does not have 
this variety of sources. Therefore much of Sherman's 
information is from the Muskegon Chronicle and a handful of 
other works. There may be gaps in the story, but they are 
likely due to a lack of information.

Along the way you do learn about a variety of aspects of 
Muskegon history. For instance in 1880 is a sailing ship 
captain made $ 1800, roughly $ 11,000 in current dollars. 
However, by 1890 a lumber carrying sailing ship made a 
profit of only $ 600 ($ 11,000 in today's world). Yes, 
sailing ships were on the way out.

Muskegon has always had a history as a place where ships 
make port. However, the ship building tradition has not 
been as strong. In 'Windswept Dunes' you learn about two 
Muskegon based ship builders the Arnold Company and 
Footlander at the Foot of Terrace Street.

One of the Footlander ships was the lumber schooner Lyman M. 
Davis, legendary for its speed. The ships specifications 
were as follows 123f in length, 27 ft. 2 inch beam, draft of 
9 feet 4 inches stepping 2 masts each 114 feet high.

Despite not having the cargo carrying capacity of larger 
ships the Davis' speed aided her in competing. She made 2-3 
round trips between Muskegon and Chicago to larger ships 
single trip.

The Davis lasted well after many ships earning a living as a 
cargo carrier until 1931. The Davis came to an unfortunate 
end. 

In 1933 Sunnyside Amusement Association bought the Davis. 
They burned obsolete boats as entertainment. This upset 
Davis fans throughout the Great Lakes. They even went to 
the trouble of trying to raise funds to buy the schooner 
back. In fact, some Muskegonites wanted the Davis to return 
as a floating museum. On 29 June 1934 the Davis was burned. 
A sobering story in light of the Milwaukee Clipper's 
presence in Muskegon.

The Milwaukee Clipper also receives attention. Amongst 
Clipper info included is that passenger staterooms were air 
conditioned- in 1941!

With the Causeway and the prevalence of the automobile 
travelling around Muskegon Lake is not a problem. Before 
these features there were ferries in Muskegon that ran to 
places such as the Central Wharf Downtown, North Muskegon, 
Bluffton and Bay Mill bear Muskegon State park. 

Last fall a 700-foot freighter grounded on Muskegon Lake. In 
a typical summer recreational boaters have a habit of 
hitting the Muskegon pier heads. 

In 1962 the Norwegian freighter Makefkjell hit the south 
breakwater. The ship's bow was aground, meaning the 
freighter stayed where she had stopped.

Salvage operations were not immediate. This allowed 
150,000 to visit the beach area and see this spectacle. 
Eventually a group of ships including the car ferry City of 
Milwaukee freed the Makefkjell. Remarkably three years 
later the ship returned to Muskegon.

Beyond the Windswept Dunes is a quick reading enjoyable 
book. It takes the reader through a city that has always 
had water centered activity and continues to. The research 
is good and the facts well checked with one exception. In 
the final chapter Sherman writes about plans for a new ferry 
between Ludington and Racine. While this was once proposed, 
the story had a short life. It's too bad that the book ends 
with this unnecessary error. 
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Tall Ships 2003

In present day Muskegon 7th street is the front door to 
Heritage Landing. This August Heritage Landing will again 
reflect Muskegon's past.

For in 1877 the foot of 7th street was not a place for 
concerts, picnics or fishing. Nor was it a scrap yard.

Rather in 1877 you found the C.H. Hackley and Company wharf. 
This was constructed of 2 piers with a slip in between.

Here ships came to load timber from Michigan's supposedly 
unending forests. Most were of the schooner type.

This week Heritage Landing will be transformed back into a 
wharf for sailing ships. Unlike olden days ships will come 
from places such as the Netherlands and India. Like the 
olden days ships from Bay City, Chicago and Suttons Bay and 
Port Huron.

Of course today bulk cargo on the Great Lakes is carried by 
motorized freighters 100's of feet long. 

These vessels won't take away goods from Muskegon. Rather 
they'll allow residents a window to Muskegon's port city 
past.

The second visit of Tall Ships to Muskegon should be of 
interest to those with respect for the past and hope for the 
future. 

Next week I will present my impressions of 2003 Tall Ships 
in diary form.

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