by eddyfitz » November 20, 2013, 7:34 pm
Todays note, November 20) about the ROBERT HOBSON sends me back some 50 years of memories, some good and some sad. Our cousin Frank Dupuis,of Lake Linden, Mich had sailed on her for many years and would make frequent trips into Ashland, Wi to load "iron ore" (pre-taconite). While i was attending school at Northland College in town on ocassion i would go aboard and converse with Frank and eat with the crew as they loaded.
By this time I had sailed on the BEN W. CALVIN AND CRISPIN OGLEBAY and one cold November/December day I was told that the HOBSON was tying up at the ore dock and I jumped into the old '52-Mercury to visit the crew again. I made my way up the steep ladder in the dark and went on to the great gathering place i.e. the galley. It was here that after a few casual greetings I was informed that on the previous trip out of Ashland to Conneaut, Oh Frank had comsumed a few too many drinks at the local watering hole and as he left the galley after a few coffees he did not make the hard right turn and went overboard to his watery death.
After some discussion with the crew onboard I proceeded to make my way down the ladder to the dock and as I soberly,and sadly walked back to the car I slipped and slid under the huge dock and was able to stop with two wet, Lake Superior cold, frozen feet but in time I was able to recover and make my way back to the warm dormetory bed.
Needless to say I did not make any more "midnight trips" down to the Ashland ore dock.................
Todays note, November 20) about the ROBERT HOBSON sends me back some 50 years of memories, some good and some sad. Our cousin Frank Dupuis,of Lake Linden, Mich had sailed on her for many years and would make frequent trips into Ashland, Wi to load "iron ore" (pre-taconite). While i was attending school at Northland College in town on ocassion i would go aboard and converse with Frank and eat with the crew as they loaded.
By this time I had sailed on the BEN W. CALVIN AND CRISPIN OGLEBAY and one cold November/December day I was told that the HOBSON was tying up at the ore dock and I jumped into the old '52-Mercury to visit the crew again. I made my way up the steep ladder in the dark and went on to the great gathering place i.e. the galley. It was here that after a few casual greetings I was informed that on the previous trip out of Ashland to Conneaut, Oh Frank had comsumed a few too many drinks at the local watering hole and as he left the galley after a few coffees he did not make the hard right turn and went overboard to his watery death.
After some discussion with the crew onboard I proceeded to make my way down the ladder to the dock and as I soberly,and sadly walked back to the car I slipped and slid under the huge dock and was able to stop with two wet, Lake Superior cold, frozen feet but in time I was able to recover and make my way back to the warm dormetory bed.
Needless to say I did not make any more "midnight trips" down to the Ashland ore dock.................