HomeMy WebLinkAboutLakeshore Advance, 2013-11-06, Page 18Wednesday, November 6, 2013 • Lakeshore Advance 17
DEAR ELLA: Stories from Descendants
of the Victims of the Great Storm 1913
Lakeshore Advance
What will emerge as the unique and most
treasured historical account of the White Hurri-
cane of November 1913 Is the just released col-
lection of stories and family tales gathered, col-
lated and written by Kathleen Pletsch, Seaforth,
Ontario. Kathleen, a first-time author, is herself
a descendant of a victim of the 1913 Storm. She
is the great grandniece of Captain "Dancing -
Laughing Jimmy" James Owen who went down
with all hands on the H.B. Smith, on November
8, 1913, embarking from Marquette, Wisconsin.
He hurriedly loaded iron ore pellets, apparently
under pressure from the head office of Hawgood
and Company, Cleveland, to get in just one
more run before the season closed. The run cost
the lives of an estimated 25 crew, the ship and
her cargo. [She was found earlier this year, in
May, by a team of Minnesota divers, in over 530
feet of water, fully one hundred years after her
loss.)
The book, "Dear Ella" has been more than a
year in the making as contacts with family mem-
bers of victims have emerged during the plan-
ning process for the Centenary Remembrance of
the Great Storm. Kathy has contacted each fam-
ily - ranging from Kentucky to Nova Scotia - and
has written each story with dignity and respect.
Treasured family photos, personal records,
treasured mementos, family Bible entries and
similar items have been shared. Never, in the
history of all written documentation of this great
maritime tragedy, has such an undertaking be
attempted.
The book is truly unique. The first print run
will sell out in a few days.
Even as the book is going to press, new stories
are emerging: two more in the last three days!
The official launch is Friday, November 8 at
12:30pm, Vimy Lounge, Royal Canadian Legion,
Captain Ian MacAdam,
Harbour Master and
descendant of the two
MacDonald boys lost on
the WEXFORD; Kathleen
Pletsch, author; and
descendant of Captain
James Owen of the
H.B. SMITH, confer
with Eleanor Robinson,
musical director and
choreographer for Livery
"Great Storm Play" about
the coincidental ironies
of the losses of mythical
families in the Warren
Robinson play and the
realities of the losses of
victims in the new book,
"Dear Ella". Both the play
and the book are being
released simultaneously
this week.
Branch 109, Kingston Street, Goderich, GI.S1913
Remembrance Headquarters, during the final
events. Pre -launch copies are available at the
centre for Employment and Learning, 41 West
Street, Goderich; local book stores and via the
Internet at 1913storm.ca, Special Projects tab.
The cost is $25 per copy.
BECKETT
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