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HomeMy WebLinkAboutClinton News-Record, 1976-06-24, Page 7604. • 011 s ory o t g trapped ship from ice proves trying experience Rese e HarradeI *lift by EtbelPetb - Electrical storm, rain and gales, wind whipping around kora the east to the smith -west. and then to the west and north- west, for over a week. that was the setting for an exciting time in BaYfleld. "What are those fishing tugs doing down by the shore" we Wondered as we looked towards the lake about 830 a.m. March 22. 1955. (Tuesday) We learned earlier that east wind had drawn the ice out, well away from shore so the crew. Eddie and "Byrd" Sturgeon. Geo. Foote, Jebn Lindley and Geo. Telford of the Maymac had ventured out to lift nets. Suddenly the wind had veered to the south-west, bringing in the ice and trapping the boat. Charlie Toms, "Punch" Toms and Ken Brandon took the Ilarntdely owned by Toms Bros: and tried to assist. and they too had found themselves in trouble. It was turning into yet another wild day. and the powerful waves and the wind had carried them away from the harbour entrance until the Harrodel was below Poth's house. and the Maymac below their fourth cottage. It was a tense situation the first of many in those stormy trying days. To rescue the crews. a steel * lifeboat was brought in our lane and taken down the hill at cottage one, to the beach. It was then pushed and pulled over the ice cakes, approximately 100 feet. Rescuers were Den McLeod, Milton Talbot, Herble Sturgeon. Stan Telford, Lloyd Westlake and LeRoy Poth. Now the men were safe, but the two boats were not. By 4:30 p.m. the. wind had 'reached to gale force and a: blinding blizzard had set in. Lights were left on all night here in our house and in a cottage in case the men should come over, but they had to stay indoors until the next day. AU day Thursday the boats were stuck fast in the ice and th.,e banks along the shore kept getting higher and higher. At the harbour mouth the ice packed very hard. The Maymac was found to have a bent shaft and a jammed wheel. Each day the men went down to the beach but nothing could be done. Friday was windy with snow and the cold was intense. Saturday the wind was north- east so the ice began moving out. the temperature war26 degrees F,. The men worked steadily at the boats and by 1 p.m. the Maymac with Mr. McMillan. George Foote and Charlie TOMS on board. was free but drifting helplessly. I was down taking 7-7"; •••,-- • ''' • • • Pictures and they Shouted to me to get bell). Rushing up to the phone 1 contacted the fish shanties and Don McLeod went out in the 3. McLeod. A towline was thrown to the Maymac from the McLeod and after many tries was secured but then broke, and the northwest wind carried them south of the harbour. Finally the tow held and they inched their way into the river to safety. The "Vary Bros" tug then came out to get the Harradel but could not free it and at 3 p.m. they gave up. An hour later Punch Toms knocked on the door to say that their boat was adrift with no one on board, the wild waves tossing it almost on top of the north pier. Again the men of the 'Vary Bros" started fighting the waves anti finally succeeded in getting a tow on but it snapped. Don McLeod came out in his boat. but in spite valiant efforts could accomplish nothing. The Harradel was driven on shore below the Signal Pole but miraculously turned and nosed into a cliff in the ice. Again there was a wild blizzard at night. Sunday the temperature was 20 degrees F. and the snow **whooshing" so one could hardly see at times. The ice mountains along the north shore grew higher and higher as the waves kept throwing up- more ice cakes and spray all day, a wild intriguing sight: The wind gradually died down on Monday. and -there were sunny interludes. From the Signal Pole bank on the south side of the river the Harradel could be seen in its new position quite well up on the shore. Tuesday was a beautiful clear day of 30 degrees F. and Wed- nesday was milder at 45 degrees F. It had been decided that the only way to get the Harradel into the river was overland. So Elliott's bulldozer was down on the south beach trying to pull her out. with a goodly number .01 Bayfieldites watching and helping "grunt. The cable Onlookers from the aeath shore -watched tts-the Ilarradel was about to be pulled along the shoreline to the river. Ice on the lake captured the boat the Harradel in 1955. Here the Vary Brothers are 'ping to free the paralyzed boat. ;napped at first. but about 4:30 p.m. there was some movement and by 6 p.m. the Harradel was just about to the south pier road. On Thursday the bulldozer continued its work maneuvering towards the river bank. When they arrived. the Harradel had to be let down stern first and that also presented a problem, as the rudder dug in and had to be soldered: Finally. about 3 p.m.. Hurrah - she slid into the quiet river water. Everyone drew a sigh of relief. The exciting episode was over. Now we could all go back to our unexciting daily work. Those of us who lived through the drama of those 10 days will always remember the sight of those men pitting their strength against old Mother Nature. in some of her wildest Moods. 111111UICINIMEIgnininmENIFIL The crew of the Vary Brothers attempted to get a line on the Harradel so the boat could be pulled out of its icy hold. The Harradel is being pushed into the protective security of the river. 1816-1976 FROM AUCRN'S LIIWGE-CLOTHING.FOOTWEAR Serving Baylield. Clinton $ area since 1923 ALBERT ST,. CLINTON 482-9352 'Willard & Art Aiken We are proud of our association with the Village of Bayfield and Welcome this opportunity to Extend Best Wishes on the occasion of their 100th Birthday ERIE & HURON BEVERAGES LIMITED STRATFORD Authorized Bottler of Coca -Colo under contract with Coco -Colo Ltd. -iiritimr11:11111111111111F11011171111111ENLICAt PI!