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HomeMy WebLinkAboutGoderich Signal Star, 2011-07-27, Page 131$ erich-Signal-Star • Wednesday, July 27, 2011 arbuck fire man looking to reconnect with shipmates Creces ncy a Wednesday afternoon when Joe 1 and his wife Shirley came into the -Star officetinder his arm were two photos and an old album. ,as looking for a few people, and a few memories. just trying to find some old cronies," with a smile. "There's .not_ too many ft. stil was a fire man on the S.S rk back in 1955-56, first starting as a at age 16 . Starbuck was a steam ship built in 1880s. Loaded, it traveled between 'lots and 13 light. It was capable of is before the boiler pressure was cut tarbuck hauled grain screenings and g barley between Goderich and er Bay, as well as to Milwaukee, Wis- and Duluth, Minnesota. On a good. ey could catch up and overtake the Eidson (which left six hours earlier) to to Goderich. , 55 years later, Wensel is looking to ect with his old shipmates from the rbuck and comrades from the A.A. n both active on the lakes at that Capon learning an old friend, Bob had passed away he decided to c a get-together for old times' sake. When 1 left in Thunder Bay, we had three feet of ice in the bay," he says. "i came to Goderich and it was green. There were flowers! I thought this was heaven — just the cat's meow." - Joe Wensel A Thunder Bay. native, Wensel said the first time he boarded the Starbuck was the first time he'd ever been on a ship. From the west of Lake Superior to the southern shores of Lake Huron, the difference was mediately noticeable. "When 1 left in Thunder Bay, we had three feet of ice in the bay," he says. "1 came to Goderich and it was green. There were flow- ers! 1 thought this was heaven just the cat's meow" Of course, the town itself took some get- ting used to as well. "When 1. walked around that particular day and walked onto the Square, I said - my gosh they have lots of singer sewing machine shops. It was that point his buddy pointed out the Square was a round walk. Goderich was a different place back then. Drilling had just started at the break wall for the salt mine and the bandstand had music every weekend. Coming to town on a Saturday was always a plus, because the ships would not leave until Monday. Wensel made many friends with the many sailors that came to port. "We used to, when we got to port, hang. around with people from the Hudson, Superior, John Ericson:.. whoever was in port, we used to hang around together," he said. "Most lived in this area." Syd Laws, Paul Johnston, Bob Morin.,. these are some of the names Wensel recalls from his time on the Starbuck, and his off - time spent in Goderich. It was hardwork on the Starbuck, and for a young man, that meant fuelling ftp for a long day. Wensel recalls breakfast was eight eggs, eight pieces of toast, a quart of milk, corn- flakes and a banana. On steak night, it was nothing to polish off five, he laughs. "Food was unlimited, pretty well," he says, showing a fading picture of the ship's cook. Wensel recalls a time when the ship was turning into the lane for Thunder Bay. "We -started to roll, just as the chief cook opened the (refrigerator) door. This roast came out and started rolling all ove? the deck.. Mac stabbed it and put it into the roastinwpan. 1 said, 'the seagulls are going to eat good.' "He just fired it back into the fridge and the next day the boys ate roast beef and it was the best they ever had." Wensel and the other sailors read a lot at sea, saying if there was nothing else left, you'd read the Canadian Tire catalogue. As for a girl In every port, he says with a smile it is just a myth. - "Maybe that's just me." Wensel: still remembers barber Percy Johnston, who raised pigeons - soritething Wensel still does. After the Starbuck was scrapped in 1957, Wensel kept working on the lakes, first on the MV Fort Chambly until 1972 and then as engineer on the Phyl- lis York ferry until the tunnel was built at Fort Huron. "And that's the story about the Starbuck;' he says, closing the photo album and pick- ing icking up his hat. "If you sailed on the Starbuck I'm interested in a get-together in August. And that could include people off the AA Hudson." Wensel can be reached at 519869-6255. CONTINUED > PAGE 14 or the Goderich & Area Phone Book Call us if you have... For information n Advertising the Phone ook, call your Ivertising Rep Today ! 519-524-2614 120 Huckins Street, Goderich, ON N7A 486 or fax us at 524-5145 • Moved • Changed .YourNumber • Are New to Goderich • Have Your Number or Address incorrectly Listed to ensure your change for this year's Goderich & Area Phone Book The Final deadline for Listing Corrections is... Fri., August 12, 2011. Please call our office to arrange any changes necessary to ensure your Phone Book fisting Is up to date and correct! Goderich �tgnel-Star