Boatnerd Discussion Forum

I knew herb. Can still see that smile n bald head. Did 2 stints on the consumers power mid 70s when he was steward on her. Had some great deep sea stories. Nice guy.

[quote="geysir"]1977-1981 You worked the cold years.
I worked as an AB on the Adam E. Cornelius Nov 1978 - mid Jan 1979. The plan was to run through the winter. We even tied up for a week in Chicago so crew could go home for Christmas (I stayed aboard). Unfortunately, we cracked a bow plate the third week of January while going through thick ice. We went to layup. The Adam E seemed like such a big ship to me since I had been working on old (1910 era) 600 foot ships. That was my last ship for 18 years before returning briefly to the Lakes and then shifting to ocean as AB and 3rd mate. David Frank[/quote]


The bow plate was cracked heading out of Escanaba, downbound to Cleveland IIRC. I was the second cook on the Adam E for the winter run that year, but I had made a new friend in that fine town the night before (a very slow loading), and headed back to say "goodbye" after lunch I think, and missed the boat.

I stood on the dock at Escanaba and watched the Adam E sail off, so I missed the excitement. I can still kind of vaguely visualize it sailing off in the late afternoon January twilight, and thinking, "damn, it's cold".

Had my own excitement though. I only had a few bucks in my pocket, and was wearing a barely suitable set of winter clothes. So I convinced my new friend to lend me a few more bucks, and I hitch-hiked across the UP and downstate. I may have caught it at Sarnia somehow; I know I got on one boat there and it might have been this time. I think we did layover in Cleveland not long after that, and when that ended, I headed south on a scow to South America.

So we were shipmates. I apologize that I don't recall your name. The Steward was Herb Jacobs, who was one of the nicest guys you could ever know, and far more patient with me then he ever needed to be.

[quote="BuffaloBobS"]I was on the Detroit Edison as Wiper from from July 1979 until January 23, 1980.When were you on the Edison?[/quote]

I gotta look and see if any of my discharge papers are even legible anymore, but It was one of the earlier ones for me, so I believe it was 1977.

[quote="Pete in Holland MI"]Might get some better responses if you let us know who you are, and what position(s) you held.[/quote]


Good point. I worked as a 2nd cook, gateman, and a very ordinary seaman. More 2nd cook on the lakes freighters than other places I sailed.

I was on the Detroit Edison as Wiper from from July 1979 until January 23, 1980.When were you on the Edison?

1977-1981 You worked the cold years.
I worked as an AB on the Adam E. Cornelius Nov 1978 - mid Jan 1979. The plan was to run through the winter. We even tied up for a week in Chicago so crew could go home for Christmas (I stayed aboard). Unfortunately, we cracked a bow plate the third week of January while going through thick ice. We went to layup. The Adam E seemed like such a big ship to me since I had been working on old (1910 era) 600 foot ships. That was my last ship for 18 years before returning briefly to the Lakes and then shifting to ocean as AB and 3rd mate. David Frank

[quote="Westcoastwine"]I'm new here, worked the Lakes (and elsewhere) from 1977-1981. Would really enjoy hearing from anyone who was around then or after. Most of my Lakes work was American Steamship (through the SIU), so if there are any old hands from back then who might want to reminisce a little (while I yell at the neighbor kids to "Stay offa my lawn"), be great to hear from you.

Some of the Lakes Freighters i worked on: Adam E, John(?) Bowland, MV Nicolet, The Medusa Challenger, Wilson, Buffalo, Edison, john(?) Kling, John Frank (I think I'm remembering these names correctly!).

If you're wondering, I was the brash kid that nobody could stand, but liked anyways because I was so clueless. Oh yeah...that guy.. And fortunately (or not), some things never change.[/quote]

John J. Boland, John H. Frantz.

Might get some better responses if you let us know who you are, and what position(s) you held.

I'm new here, worked the Lakes (and elsewhere) from 1977-1981. Would really enjoy hearing from anyone who was around then or after. Most of my Lakes work was American Steamship (through the SIU), so if there are any old hands from back then who might want to reminisce a little (while I yell at the neighbor kids to "Stay offa my lawn"), be great to hear from you.

Some of the Lakes Freighters i worked on: Adam E, John(?) Bowland, MV Nicolet, The Medusa Challenger, Wilson, Buffalo, Edison, john(?) Kling, John Frank (I think I'm remembering these names correctly!).

If you're wondering, I was the brash kid that nobody could stand, but liked anyways because I was so clueless. Oh yeah...that guy.... And fortunately (or not), some things never change.