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Around the World of Sailing
16 October 2002
Finish Line
Linky Sailing News- Round Up
Water Level Update
Difference from Chart Datum +6
Difference from last month -3
Difference from last year +7
Difference from long term average for October -12
Difference from Record High -52
Difference from Record Low +19
Forecast for 18 November 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.
****************
Lightkeepers Journal
While light keeping I bought a pair of books which contain
the journals of J. Arthur Hunter who served at Lake
Michigan's Little Sable light early in the 20th century.
From time to time I will share some of Hunter's experience.
October 16 1912 "Rec'd letter from Inspector as to bids for
4 cords of hardwood. Roosevelt is reported as resting quite
easy."
The Roosevelt mention piqued my interest. Hunter is
referring to the shooting of Theodore Roosevelt that occurred
in Milwaukee while Roosevelt campaigned. Milwaukee is on
the other side of Lake Michigan from Little Sable. So, how
did Hunter get this news?
The preceding day Hunter wrote: "About 9 AM Rosa[the
keepers half sister] phoned to tell us that Colonel Roosevelt
was shot last night in Milwaukee....He was our choice of
candidates for President." So, although certainly not in an
urban area Little Sable Light did have telephone service in
1912.
Hunter was quite in the mainstream in backing Roosevelt. In
1912 Roosevelt ran on a 3rd party 'Bull Moose' ticket. He
won the popular vote in Michigan 39% to 27% for the
Republican Taft.
There's another Michigan maritime connection to Roosevelt.
One Truman H. Newberry served at TR's Secretary of Navy from
1908-1909. He organized the Michigan State Naval Brigade
and served in the Spanish American war and later served as a
US Senator. He died in 1945 and is buried at Elmwood
Cemetery, Detroit, Mich.
************
Readers Write # 1
Received the following query: "I am trying to find out What
the America's Cup is named after. There is a contest going
on that in order to register you have to write that down."
That's a good question. Just why are millions of dollars
being spent to win this trophy? Exactly why is the trophy
named after a country?
Actually it's not named after the country. It's named after
the Schooner America which won the original challenge race
against a fleet of British vessels in 1851. Prior to that
it was known as the 100 Guinea Cup. So, the teams are
racing in IACC sloops for a trophy named after a schooner!
*************
Readers Write # 2
Randy Siebel wrote:
"I am interested in locating a boat that
my grandfather used to skipper. This was many years ago but
he sailed in the Port huron to Mackinac race. The name of
his vessel then was "The Great Bear" .
I have always wanted to locate this boat and possibly meet
the owner of it now because i have heard so many stories
of it and have seen so many pictures. If you could please
e-mail me as to where i could search for it. The original
location of the vessel was the Edison Yacht Club in
Michigan. and once again the neame was "The Great bear"
Skippered by George Filgo. Any information would help
thank you in advance."
First I contacted a couple of Detroit sailors. They had no
immediate information. My next suggestion would be to
contact Bayview Yacht Club organizers of the Port Huron to
Mac race. They do an excellent job of providing
information. Their website is http://www.byc.com. As for
Edison Yacht Club, there is an Edison Boat Club that shows
up. Their website is http://www.edisonboatclub.com/.
In addition to those suggestions I emailed Randy, I hope that
some Detroit area readers or Mac racers with memories can
email me with info for Randy. My email is ike@torresen.com
*********
Weather Notes
We are just passing the mid point of fall/autumn. Autumn's
first month-September- was a warm one at 4.8° above norm.
October has been warmer than normal to date but at a
slighter degree, .9°.
Yesterday morning three occurred a notable weather
situation as the atmosphere continued to transform towards
winter. At my home the temperature was 52°.
When I arrived at my office I checked my Weather Bug
program. It read 39°!. This reading came from a weather
station at Moon Elementary school, which is in the city. I
checked the reading at Muskegon Airport- 38°. At Orchard
View High School 37°.
At the Muskegon pierheads it was 56°. At the Chicago
pierhead to the south and west 52°.
Obviously a case of not cooler, but rather warmer by the
water. I then checked the water temperature. In the waters
near Muskegon it ranged from 57.3° up to 61°. So, near the
water the air temperature was essentially that of the water.
Inland the land took its temperature cue from the air.
Remarkably that night the first reading below 32° degrees
occurred. Yet thanks to the lake some areas got a
temperature break.
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