Traveling around Lake Michigan: Day 12, June 21, 2011

On the Road Again Tuesday June 21 to visit the White River Light Station.


http://www.terrypepper.com/lights/michigan/whitehall/whitehall.htm
  

People had told us the curator has interesting stories to share.  Yes, indeed she did.  She has been taking care of the Light Station since she graduated from college and has been there 28 years.  She talked about the history of the area and the light station, about Fresnel Lens and about her maintaining the buildings.

 Fourth Order Fresnel Lens, the original lens of the White River Light Station.  There are seven sizes (orders) of Fresnel lenses.  The 1st order is the largest and they decrease in size to a 6th order.

                                        








Life Ring from the Edmund Fitzgerald ore carrier.

This is a "sit in Bretches" life buoy.  When seas were too rough to rescue people by using a boat, a rope was shot out to the disabled ship or boat.  Those rescued would come to land in this type of buoy.












Next stop was the Great Lakes Naval Memorial and Museum.  We toured the submarine, USS Silversides.  This is the most famous surviving submarine of World War II.   She sunk more ships (30 Japanese vessels and damaged 14) and took down more tonnage that any other surviving WW II submarine.  The first appendectomy every performed on a submarine by a Pharmacist Mate was performed in the ward room and depicted in the movie Destination Tokyo.


http://www.silversidesmuseum.org/Museum-Submarine__GLNMM-Silversides-Sub-Muskegon-Exhibits-Naval-WWII-Cub-Scouts-Boyscouts-Family-Fun.htm

A torpedo housed in the crew's sleeping quarters.

                                               Salt water depth to keel gauge

                                                                  Dive station

                                                       Step up and over, watch your head.

                

A photo of a submarine with polar bears checking it out.  






 We learned so much history about submarines in the 2 story museum.
                              

The USCGC McClane W -146

During Prohibition this Coast Guard vessel was used to enforce Prohibition.  After Prohibition it was used for search and rescue as well as law enforcement.  During World War II it was used to patrol the Bering Sea off the coast of Alaska.  During the was McLanerwas outfitted with a one pound cannon, 50 caliber machine gun and depth charge racks.

                                                 Crew's sleeping quarters

                                              Crew's dining room

                                                                  
Keewatin Maritime Museum in Saugatuk
http://www.moon.com/blogs/american-nomad/nostalgic-stroll-aboard-the-keewatin-maritime-museum

 Keewatin Ship was launched in 1907 for the Canadian Pacific  Railroad.  It was a luxurious ship for its time. It boasted running water and electric lights. The ship had 105 staterooms on two decks. Seven deluxe suites had private baths.  A time in history preserved with 

There are 10 staterooms furnished with clothes and items from 10 decades.

 The dining room had gold leaf around the ceiling as did most of the public areas.  Throughout the ship there is mahogany paneling as well as stained glass windows and hand carved panels.

                                               The "Ladies Room" was 30 by 30 feet.

 The ballroom served many purposes other then being a dance area. 

We realized we were only 3 1/2 hours from home.  By 6:30 we were home from another spectacular and informative trip.