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Community
Wedn
14, 2013 • Lakeshore Advance 5
The Great Storm of 1913: There were some who missed the boat
Joe Wooden and Pat Rowe
St. Joseph and area Historical Society
When we speak of those who
"missed the boat" ve are usually
thinking of missed opportunities.
But, to have missed the boat one was
scheduled to sail on in November of
1913 could not have been anything
except wonderful good fortune.
loin 'Thompson was a ,young
'wnlan on the lames Carruthers, a
lake boat of 7862 tons, 550 feet in
length and 58 feet in the beau!. She
was carrying a cargo of grain.
'tilt' Carruthers was 1)11111(1 new, hav-
ing been completed during the pre-
ceding months. She would have
been the last Take boat anyone would
think of as sinking. Thompson had
not reported for duty. 'The'Tholup
son story is recounted in Dred Lane
don's lake 1Iumn.
1f a twist of fate had kept bion I m1
sailing on the Carruthers it (lilt not
keep his name out of the newspapers
in'1'oronto where the reports of the
storm included his name in the list of
bodies washed ashore near
Goderich. John's sister lived in Sar -
n i 11 and had heard
about Carruther's crew members
being washed ashore. She tele-
graphed her father who lived in
Ilamilton with the fear that John
must have gone down on his ship.
Mr. 'Thompson took the train to
Goderich, probably on the Buffalo,
Brantford, Goderich line of the
Grand Trunk Railway. 1 le arrived in
Goderich and looked at bodies
which had washed ashore; be identi-
fied one of the bodies as son John's
body. Ile then travelled back to
1
lamilton with the body on hoard the
train.
Meanwhile, young John, who
knew nothing of this hack and forth
train travel of his father, decided he
should go dome and took the train
from Toronto to 1 lamilton, probably
the '1'.11. and B. railway. That is the
Toronto, 1 (mullion and Buffalo line
otherwise known as "'leo I tell an(1
Back." John went to the family home
in I lamilton and, to and behold, he
found that his own funeral was about
to occur. The coffin with the body,
was set up in the house, probably in
the dining room, which would leave
the parlour open for the social time
following the funeral. Needless to
say, the family was almost as shocked
at his appearance as they had been
at the news of his drowning when his
boat went down.
We don't know if John apologized
for creating an interruption in the
festivities but he must been more
than happy that he had missed the
boat.
Another sailor who missed the
boat was Milton Smith. Ile was to
have sailed on the Charles S. Price.
We mentioned Milton in our story
of I toward Mackley, the second !late
on the Price and his wife. Milton had
gone to look at bodies in'lhedford at
Mr. Woodhall's furniture store with
Mrs. Maekley. The two searched for
1 IowaI'd and found I filbert Jones the
ship's steward and John Groundwa
ter, the chief engineer on the ('rice.
Smith !lust have been in emotional
turmoil as he looked at his fellow
crew men.
Smith's story came to Tight while
researching the history of the Great
Storm of 1913. We discoverers that
sailors can be a very superstitious lot.
For instance, e, a retired lake boat cap
tale recently told us that it was con-
sidered bad luck to leave harbour on
Meet the women of Lambton
'rhe Lambton 1 leritage Museum invites you
to be a part of "Meet the Women of latmhton"
weekend on Saturday and Sunday August 24 &
25
In May of this year, the museum opened a
new exhibit Shine: Spotlight on Women of
taunbton.'lhe exhibit features 11 Guiding Bea-
cons, women, representing Lambton county's
11 municipalities who were chosen from
among over 75 women nominated from across
Lambton County. 'These women demonstrate
strong local leadership, overcame adversity in
all& lives, have been excellent role nuxiels, are.
� 11 respected In their communities, or con-
sistently gave of their own time and resources
to serve others or a cause.
On Saturday August 24 at 1:30 p.n1. these
Guiding Beacons, nominees, nominators and
the public are all invited to the museum to par-
ticipate in round table discussions as Guiding
Beacons and nominee's share their thoughts
and ideas with us. launbton County is home to
an amazing group of woolen whose voices we
want to hear. Each will have the opportunity, if
they wish, to speak for five minutes about their
passions, their communities, their organiza-
tions or to share whatever thoughts are on their
minds that day. Museutn 'technician John
Russell will moderate the discussion and audi-
ence members will be invited to participate.
Activities will wrap up later in the afterncxm
with participants being acknowledged for their
contributions to our communities.
The Guiding Beacons from each
municipality are:
Joan Ailaert,'Ibwnship of 1/awn 1:uphemla
Lucy Bryson, Warwick Township
Griffith,Carolynne
Thwnship of Hr oke-Atvinston
Jeane HOughton,'lbwn of Plympton-Wyoming
Patricia McGee, Village of 011 Springs
Mary Rawson, 'Township of Enniskillen
Marg Scott, Village of Point Edward
Helene Shingles, City of Sarnia
Margaret Stokes, 7bwn of Petrolia
Nancy Mier, Municipality of Lambton Shores
Lynne Wlthers,'l'ownshlp of St. Clair
On Sunday, August 25 visitors can Learn
More About the Women of launbton. At 1 p.m.
Dana Thorne, Archivist, Lambton County
Archives will speak about "Remembering and
Celebrating the WOtnen of Iaambtom". At 2 p.m.
Bob Mccatrthy will share the story of ELl'ratbeth
Workman, the only Woman ever convicted and
executed under Canadian law following a trial
where the jury strongly recommended mercy.
McCarthy will also have copies of his latest
book CASE 666 - TRAVESTY OF JUSTICE, the
Elizabeth Workman Story, told as historical fic-
tion, for sale. At 3 p.m. visitors can participate
In guided tours of the Shine: Spotlight on
Woolen of 1atnnbton exhibit.
The Lambton Heritage Museum is open
Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. until 5
p.nn., and weekends and holidays from 11 a.m.
to 5 p.nl. Admission is $5 adults, $4 seniors /
students, $3 children, and $15 family. The
museum is 8 km south of Grand Bend, on
E llghway 21.
For more information call 519-243-2(i(10, visit
www.lchng.org or email heritage.nluseunlp
county-lanlbton.on.la
a Friday, and that if the loading was
finished, if at all possible, they would
wait until after the clock had struck
midnight. Another superstition was
that bad lurk would befall any ship
with a thirteen Tetter name.
Now and then a seaman might get
what we would call "had vines" about
a ship or a particular voyage. On Fri-
day, November 7th, 1913 exactly this
sort of feeling overcame one young
crew member named 11tilton Smith,
an assistant engineer 011 the Charles
S. Price. Please note the number of
letters in this ship's nano'!
On that fateful Friday, the Price was
in port at Ashtabula, a coal port near
Cleveland, and Milton Shits) had it
persistent urge to get off the ship. Ile
could think of no real leatson for this
beyond his horrid premunition. Ile
went to his chief engineer, John
Groundwater, to tell him he was (suit
ting to go home and received this
reply from his surprised superior
officer:
"What? Get that wild hair out of
your nose and stick around. Why
throw money in the bilge?
'rhe Price will be tied up for the win -
ter inside Of three weeks and you'll
collect your crew bonus on toll of
your regular pay. 'fake my advice,
son.'lhink it over:' (p. 104-105 Ships
Gone Missing)
Smith did think it over and even
macre an unsuccessful attempt to
convince another friend to leave also,
but in spite of the fact that some of
the crew ridiculed 111111 and poked
fun at his decision, Milton Smith dis-
embarked and went home to his
family in Port I lama. 1 le left a copy
of a Cleveland newspaper behind on
the Price. In that paper the weather
forecast for Sunday, November
9th said one word: "unsettled."
'the Price was lost with all hands in
the storm, but Smith survived and
hui.'r Was aid(' to travel to'l'hedtord
where he had the sued task of helping
to identify dead shipmate's, including
the body of his chief engineer, 1(11111
(;roundwater. Could there he sante
truth in these nautical premunitions
and superstitions? What do you
believe?
Acknowledgements: 'l ire 1913
Storms, author; Holier! ('l(u.y;
Ships gone ltifissirl!, uuthot;
Robert 1. !Hemming
Horticultural Society's Annual Picnic included
Garden Awards & Volunteer Recognition
Anne Wilson, Chair,
Program Committee Grand Bend & Area
Horticultural Society
Grund Bend & Area 1 lorticultunll Society held
its Annual Picnic at the Dashwood Pavilion on
July 29th where 50t members and guests joined
together. A few updates on the summer activi-
ties of the Society were shared and a big thank
you was extended to thaw who have been main-
taining the 14 garden locations. Lots of time and
effort has been given to keep these gardens look-
ing lush and beautiful. Also, Congratulations
was extended to Bus '!'rip Organizer, Rosie
1 Ieipel, for another successful sold out event.
!)ale Wilson presented the "Commercial Mem-
bership Recognition Board" highlighting the 81
local and area businesses who generously sup-
ported us this year. Next a (delicious chicken (din-
ner organized by Kasey Santanlrea and Betty
1 lenry and provided by 1 luron Shores Catering
was enjoyed by all. After keeping everyone in
suspense long enough; the presentation of the
Impatiens Awards took place. 'Iheese awards are
to recognize the creativity and gardening talent
of its Membership. They are judged by "Ct(RH
APPEAL" !leaning if you are going by, would it
attract your attention and mike you want to stop
and look. They were Judged with 4 criteria in
!mind: garden layout, plant variety, maintenance
and special features. Congratulations to the win-
ners of the 2013 Impatiens Awards:
Sheryl and Bryan Law, Betty and Ed Nuttall,
Steve and Myra Studenny, l)ianne'Iltylor.Con-
merc'ial Award - Scott Stewart's Chiropractic
Office
f lighlights were compiled of each well -
deserving garden, from the comments of the
judges and were shared with the group. 'l'lu'
winners were surprised and thrilled to receive
their award. A display board with pictures of the
winning gardens was created by Regine Switzer
for all to view. Special appreciation was extended
to Awards Committee Members: Icon Holmes,
(:hair along with Betty I lenry, Rose 1 [elite! and
last year's Chair, Doris Semple. The formal part
(Attu, evening was completed vU11 a new feature'
presentation on Volunteer Recognition by Vol-
unteer Coordinator, Doris Semple. She noted
that them are !nom than 1711 different roles/tasks
that are being done by our Volunteers and in
many cases, individuals have taken on many
roles and are completing se'ventl tasks. She com-
mented that "'('his just demonstrates that the
1 lort. Society has a very, very dedicated group of
Volunteers': She ended her presentation with a
poem "Volunteers Do Make A Difference!"
l)pon arrival, a ticket was given to all those who
had volunteered with the Society in one way or
another during the past year and they had the
opportunity to win one of two prizes. The wine
hers were I )ianne'Ihylor and Yna hardens. Eve -
ryone was encouraged to stay and visit with their
fellow gardening friends. Special '1 hanks were
extended to all thaw involved in organizing such
a fun evening. Next General Membership Meet-
ing is to in, held on September 30th, when
sneaker Arthur ( )slach will share his expertise on
Rhododendrons and /WIeas.
Everyone is Welcome!