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Around the World of Sailing

21 August  2002

Finish Line

Winners in the 2002 Chronicle Cup sailed Sunday on
Muskegon Lake
Performance Pete Price E Scow
PHRF 1 Ricochet Jim Beebe
PHRF 2 Full House Bob Gautraud
Butterfly Morency/Dane
Laser Randy Ragowski
JY 15 Emily Wickland

Water Level Update

Reference Point

Difference from Chart Datum +11
Difference from last month -1
Difference from last year +11
Difference from long term average for August -11
Difference from Record High -43
Difference from Record Low +21
Forecast for 16 September 2002 -2

Below you'll find water level info that pertains
to Lake Michigan and Huron.
For information on other lakes see:
http://huron.lre.usace.army.mil/levels/weekly.html

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.
****************
Historical Note # 1

As a resident of Muskegon and a college history major I've
taken up an interest in Muskegon's past. One way I explore
the past is through purchase of old postcards typically via
E Bay. This lets me see what the city looked like long
before I came around.

Recently I purchase a card showing downtown Muskegon's
Hackley park. This urban park features several monuments to
Civil War era figures. While the card does show Muskegon
Lake at first look not a marine item. Then I turned the card
over....

The person who originally purchased the card was from
Columbus Ohio. In part they wrote, "we have been splendidly
entertained by the Commodore of the Yacht Club." Bingo
there was an unexpected angle. The postmark was 12 July
1912 with a 1 cent stamp!

The commodore in question could not have been head of
Muskegon Yacht Club. The MYC did not begin operations until
the 1930's.

Prior to this many famous actors and performers of the time
including silent film star Buster Keaton made Muskegon their
homes during the summer. They were boaters, maybe there was
a connection here.

To the Public library I went. I did not find a definitive
answer. However, a book on the Actors Colony and several
micro filmed Muskegon Chronicle's led me to a pretty good
thesis.

Lew Earl was one of the first theatrical people to purchase
property in Muskegon's Bluffton area. Lew had a powerboat
called the Dixie Pirate.

In 1912 the Actors Colony had a clubhouse referred to as
Cobwebs and Rafters. Also that year the Theatrical Colony
Yacht Club was founded. I did not find an actual listing
for the TCYC officers of 1912. However, Lew Earl is
credited with founding the club. He's also described as a
promoter of the Bluffton area and selling much real estate.

To me he sounds like the type of chap capable of "splendidly
entertaining" a visitor from Columbus Ohio. What do you
think?
************
Historical Note # 2

Tomorrow I begin my annual vacation. This year's holiday has
a particularly nautical theme as I will serve as a volunteer
light keeper at Big Sable Lighthouse. It's a way to combine
watery activities and history two of my guiding passions.

Recently I paged through 'Big Sable Point Light Station' by
Thomas A. Tag in preparation for my stay. Towards the end
of the book is a list of people who served as keepers or
assistant keepers and the dates they started and ended their
service.

Since my stay will begin on 22 August my eye drifted down
the listing looking for someone with the same start date.
No luck. But there were several who started on or near 20
August.

One Condy Gallagher began his sting at Acting 1st Assistant
keeper on 18 August 1887 and served until 23 September 1887.
I can't completely replicate Condy's experience. I'll bring
my mobile phone and arrive by car.

I did wonder more about Condy though. An internet search
did turn up a birth record for Raymond James Gallagher born
5 August 1900 at St. James, Beaver Island. Parents were
Condy Gallagher and Jesse Mcdonald.

I then looked for information on Beaver Island and it's
light houses and life saving service stations. I found a
reference to Captain Owen Gallagher serving in the Life
Saving service in 1874 on Beaver Island. I found a later
reference to John 'Andy' Gallagher who was involved with the
Life Saving service in 1934.

Again as with the 1912 Yacht Club commodore my answer is not
steeped in certainty. Perhaps Condy was from a lighthouse
family. Maybe his short tenure at Big Sable was a way of
his gaining experience. His helping keeper Hans Hansen got
him an entry on his resume. Maybe later he return to Beaver
Island and served as keeper on Beaver Island.
******
Flare Disposal

I've had several inquiries as to what to do with expired
flares. There seems to be several answers. One, retain
them and use them as back up flares. In an emergency you
then have expanded signaling time. Two, donate them to
groups such as the Coast Guard Auxiliary for training use.

The don'ts of flare disposal include: don't put them in
household trash as they are classified as hazardous waste
and don't drop them overboard.

In general there isn't a uniform national policy on this
issue. They've been required for 20 years and have
accumulated. Like with a lot of other modern products they
are effective but do leave a bit of a footprint after they
are done being used.