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The Goderich Signal-Star, 1986-06-11, Page 22RAGE 2A--GODERICH SIGNAL -STAR, WEDNESDAY, JUNE 11, 19.86 amok= .Kar. 1 Say goodbye to sanders, ? grinders and smelly chemicals) With new Cuprinol Paint and Stain Remover, you don't need them anymore All you need is a brush and a garden hose. Just brush it on. Wait ® allow the product to work. Then just wash the old paint or stain away. It's that easy. And right now you can try the product at no charge. Drop in for your FREE sample to try at home. Samples available between June 11 ® June 28, but hurry, limited quantities are available. CUPR1NOL does it right. The name Cuprinol stands for higher quality Wood Stains, Coatings, Preservers and Paint and Stain Remover. John Jeffery and Son; Lumber and Building Supplies SIM PAINT{ 163 Elgin r'Ave. E., Goderich 524-8171 The Debbie Lynn, named after Donald Bert's daughter, pushes the Algowood into place near Goderich Elevator are kept busy with the tug boat business. The three tugs, the Donald Bert (named by his grandfather), the Ian Mac (roamed after his son) and the Debbie Lyn (named after his daughter) were all built in the 1960s. Donald Bert's family including his youngest son David who has no tug named after him, have kept involved in the business in one way or another. Ian and David work on the tugs and Deb- bie makes the flags. During the shipping season, the MacAdams help turn from two to three boats a week in the spring to two to three boats a day in the fall. They're called at any hour of the day to help the freighters maneuver around the salt- mine or the grain elevators. "You never know what you're going to be doing. The phone could ring anytime. When they want us,, they want us yester- day," says Ian. While he worked as a bricklayer, Ian says he'd drop the trowel and go when a boat needed to be turned in the harbor. But, jobs that were supposed to last 15 minutes sometimes lasted several hours depending on how Much the wind was blowing. "The people with the half -finished chimneys didn't think too much of it," laughs Donald Bert. One time, the tug boats took 25 and a half hours with one boat since a storm kept breaking the lines and the tugs were needed to take the pressure off the lines and hold the boat up to the. pier. "She was a salty (an ocean-going vessel) and they don't have any winches like lake ships have. Winches give a little in a storm," says Donald Bert. The tug boats are used to assist the freight ships which come into Goderich Harbor. "We know most of the captains that come into the harbor. We always go aboard and introduce ourselves. When they come into the harbor, we give them information about the harbor and tell the captains what he's got to contend with when he gets here," says Donald Bert. One Christmas Eve, Donald Bert and Ian took 12 hours to help the Willowglen dock. Fifty mile an hour winds and blowing snow made it one of the worst days the two had ever seen. The tugs worked at loosening up the ice in the harbor and help- ing the ship up to the salt spout. "The first time we saw her, she was up at the salt spout. Before that, we were just in radio contact and could only see smoke the odd time," says Donald Bert. However, the two did manage to get home in time for Christmas. During another storm in the spring of 1973, the 10 to 12 boats tied upalong the north pier broke loose and were scattered along the grain elevators. Donald Bert and Ian came down to .the har- bor in a skidoo and helped push the boats back where they belonged with the tugs. The crew of one of the ships said to the two, "We don't need a captain. We made our own trip alreadyacross the harbor." The tug boats also help tow scows, tow the dredging equip- ment, help with shoreline work andgive,boat rides to tourists in the summer. • - "The water .of Lake. Huron.is in,l2dnald Bert:s blood•and.he�s—_•w received many commendations for his search and rescues. But,' he has humility; that's always been his nature," says Bruce. "I'm sure most people realize the service he's given to the community. His grandfather devoted years of his life to helping and saving lives on the lake. And, Donald Bert has carried on the • tradition." Many people owe ® from page 1 "They sure were glad to get aboard the tugboat," says Donald Bert. Donald Bert has also gone out on the lake into the fog with the Coast Guard looking for boaters who've gotten lost. "He's spent hours and hours at night on wild goose chases, days and nights at a time. People only get in trouble when it's dirty and blowing. The bulk of the time he's called out when it's dangerous to be out or the person wouldn't be in trouble. Nobody sails into a storm intentionally; they caught in it. The only one who goes in intentionally is Donald Bert," says Bruce. Bruce tells a story of Donald Bert going out to the breakwall to check on two fishermen. "The waves were piling over the breakwall and just as Donald Bert went out to check on them, the sea washed the two men into the lake. One fisherman got aboard the tug but the other went to the bottom." "Donald Bert got a hold on his fishing line with the grappling hook and started pulling. The fisherman had a death grip on the handle of his fishing rod and Donald Bert pulled him up and sav- ed him. If he hadn't, the man would have drowned and would have had to been grappled up," he says. "Donald Bert gave him a few pumps and a couple of coughs later, he,was okay." During these rescues, Donald Bert says he's been scared especially if there's a child on the boat he's hoping to rescue. And, over the years, he's gained a great respect for the lake. He's also seen a lot of tragedy on the lake, says Bruce. "Everytime there's a drowning, Donald Bert and his tugs are given the responsibility for retrieving the bodies. Search and grappling goes on day and night but sometimes it lias to be call- ed off because of the weather," says Bruce. Of course, rescues are always dangerous for Donald Bert and his tugs. "I know of cases when Donald Bert got lines on disabled boats within minutes of losing one of his own tugs. He's not suicidal but he takes his chances just like a fireman or policeman," says Bruce. Probably the scariest rescue for Donald Bert was the time he rescued his grandfather who slipped on a patch of ice getting off a tug by the south pier. For 15 minutes during one winter in the 1950s, Bert Mac- Donald struggled to cling to the hand of his grandson before he was pulled back on board by Donald Bert and Sonny Mallough. When he's not involved in rescues, Donald Bert and his son Ian we a that fita , n as L.., I Its' IF YOUR EXHAUST SYSTEM IS GIVING YOU BIG PROBLEMS...COME SEE THE SS introducing Thruway's] 1 RADIATOR COREv Arrovii Fine Dress Sh Quality and Niplui ...choose from our 01 of short and lung: le Sizes141/ 17 a TheWhitcHouSC for Men &Women 32 thl t Street, Shoppers Square oderich 524-4'312 UNLIT. HUFFIER PREMIUM 4 $3495 . ONLY At Thruway, we are expanding our facilities! We now offer complete cooling system service including a 5 year warranty on recored rads 191 Walnut St., Goderich 524.4200 Behind the New Hi -Way Ford Dealer OPEN Monday -Friday 8 am -6 pm; Sat. 8 am -4 pm thruway Ask About Our LIFETIME GUARANTEE We've got the best in the business! ANNOUNCEMENT OR© BRIAN NUHN Seaforth Veterinary Clinic . and ROBIN CIVIL -EY DRS. PETER and formerly Huron Veterinary Services, Blyth are pleased to announce the opening.of CLINTON-SEAFORTH VETERINARY SERVICE Located on Hwy. 4 South, Clinton beside Haugh Tire formerly McKenzie Upholstery • LARGE & SMALL ANIMAL SERVICES Including small animal surgery, boarding and grooming facilities • SMALL ANIMAL CONSULTATIONS ® BY APPOINTMENT ONLY • HOURS: 8 a.m. - 6 p.m. Mon. - Fri. 8:00 - 2:00 Sat. AFTER HOURS: PHONE 482-3558 1.800-265.459