Beaver Island Michigan

I understand Peggy Courier passed away this afternoon (April 3). No other information at this time. Eternal rest...

Sean

Saw some recent pictures of the ferry dock- didn't see the Emerald Isle. What is her status?

March 17, 1945- the most Irish of all the Beaver Island ferries, "South Shore", was launched. While her many proud years of service to Beaver Isle has gone, she rests comfortably in Chicago off Navy Pier, still bearing her trademark shamrock on her funnel and St. James as her home port on ...

Does anyone have the large model of the Beaver Islander and South Shore that Capt. Felix made that they would be willing to sell? I have the Islander, but it got damaged, and I never even knew the South Shore was available until he stopped making them! Also, any rock paintings of the South Shore by ...

Statement Regarding Bishop Cooney
Bishop Patrick R. Cooney, leader of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Gaylord, suffered a heart attack on Saturday, January 5, while preparing for the Ordination Ceremony for Deacon Joseph Muszkiewicz in Gaylord. (See related item below.)

Bishop Cooney was taken for initial treatment to Otsego Memorial Hospital in Gaylord and then transferred to Munson Medical Center in Traverse City where he underwent open heart surgery. Doctors have reported the surgery went well and that the Bishop is now resting. His family is with him.

â??We are extremely thankful for the many prayers that are being raised for Bishop Cooney and we are hopeful for his complete recovery,â?￾ stated Candace Neff, spokesperson for the Diocese of Gaylord. â??The outpouring of love and concern for our Bishop is deeply appreciated by his family and the entire Catholic community. We know that he will face a long period of recuperation and are also confident that his need for privacy during this process will be understood and respected.â?￾

The Catholic Diocese of Gaylord encompasses the 21 most northern counties of Michiganâ??s Lower Peninsula and includes 81 parishes and 17 schools. Bishop Cooney has led the more than 70,000 Catholics in the region since 1990.

Found this story at my grandpa's house... from 1974. I wrote it just as Claire had typed it out. Enjoy!

A Voyage to Garden Island

July 8, 1974

By Claire Cull


All idiots aboard: Earl Gallagher, his dear wife Mary and daughter Liz, Fr. Vic Gallagher & Claire Cull, shipwrecked on Garden Island with and â??omadohonâ?￾ of a Jimmie Martin, owner and skipper of our craft. Martins were never good navigatorsâ?¦ so my good father told me years ago. Approaching the shore and Jimmie in his undershortsâ?¦embarrassing poor Liz. Wait till I get off and get a beach gadâ?¦ heâ??ll get licked right up to Peter Owenâ??s Corner. Looks like there are friendly natives on this islandâ?¦Daddy said â??dip your paddles deepâ?￾ and we would if we had any. Only one oar aboard, no sounding led and no â??headâ?￾ either. We hit shore and Mary says: â??Well, weâ??re here.â?￾ Fr. Vic said: â??No Mary, it should be where are we?...Looks like Iâ??ll have to walk on waterâ?¦again.

Finally, safely ashore with the Captain going first (almost streaking). Should follow Greek rules, Jimmy says: Women and children firstâ?¦in case of trouble. A very friendly gentleman greets us on shore. Almost forgot to take our provisions (whiskey, scotch, beer & mix) ashore. Good thing Fr. Vic took his time leaving the ship, as he was now able to pass the provisions to those on landâ?¦or in the water alongside.

No toilets available hereâ?¦i.e. enclosed onesâ?¦but had a thousand acres that was not being usedâ?¦not too many snakes around, either. Earl saw ONE right away, but says nothing. No phone, radio or the like hereâ?¦. Sooooo after some discussion, consultation and sippinâ??â?¦ our friendly native takes Jimmy to DNR stationâ?¦ no one there but another fellow on another craft calls Beaver Isle to send a helicopter or rescue ship. After some hours, and it is hot here, a rescue vessel hoves into sight on the horizonâ?¦ but waitâ?¦..NO!!! It canâ??t be so! Yes, it is the â??American Girlâ?￾ (we expected Del Belfy.) As she approaches we see she is loaded with sightseers (nosey adults & kidsâ?¦ all of Ray and Claireâ??s and Jewell and Ritaâ??s (and Rita herself) and others not to be mentioned. Rita puts her â??swift steakâ?￾ on hold and came out with the rescue party. Out to the big ship we go, and after proper maneuverings we are aboard. They have no first aid or proper provisions for the marooned party (no cold drinks or even one ice cubeâ?¦just two cases of warm beer which some character (Swenson) happened to have aboard. Trip back to the Beavers without further mishapâ?¦but they should really have sent Young Paul after usâ?¦ we would have felt safer and more secure. Arenâ??t we lucky, Claire says, that there are no Coast Guards at the Station or they may have sent them after usâ?¦ perish the thoughts.

Big crowd at dock as we arrive in Beaver Harbor. We didnâ??t need this at all. Del, Don Cole and various other peopleâ?¦ and no sympathy from anyoneâ?¦.acted and talked as if we had a GOOD time! And we guessed we did, after some thought. Lots of remarks and laughingâ?¦cannot record it all. Some is not good to repeatâ?¦some will be recalled later at discreet moments with the â??rightâ?￾ people, okay?

Up to Dick and Jeanâ??s for sun burn lotion, plus other first-aid â?¦.then to Circle M for dinner, ending up with Grasshoppers (Claireâ??s favorite). Those Kets and Lefts were always used to the fine things of life, as Emil would say.

July 9��.1130AM

Jimmie just spoke with Fr. Vic and wanted to know if he would like a boat trip todayâ?¦.but no go! Dick says that Jimmie is demoted to seaman, 3rd Classâ?¦ He has no life preservers aboard his craft, he said. Jimmie: I had to throw them on the dock to make room for the passengers.

Jimmie towed to Charlevoix by his cousin (another one of those Martins) along with another cousins boatâ?¦also broken downâ?¦several hours on the sea (like seven??) When debarking in Charlevoix, Jim falls in the Lake, suitcase and all. Left suitcase at Dolores when she was not homeâ?¦She was all a wonder when she saw the â??drippingâ?￾ suitcase in her front hall.

And so Jimmie ended his short but memorable tour of the Island by spending the night at Jack and Mae Coppensâ??â?¦.asleep on their davenportâ?¦after telling them the true (???) story of the saga of Garden Island. All are looking forward to another sortie in another year!! Right?

Congratulations to the crew of Emerald Isle as she celebrates the 10 year anniversary of her maiden voyage from St. James to Charlevoix.

On a more somber note, it was this date in 1989 when the USCG Cutter Mesquite grounded off Lake Superior's Keweenaw Point.

Any idea when she'll be making the run up north?

I had the priviledge of running 4 of the traditional Arnold Transit boats to MCM in the Soo for their dry-docking. A beautiful trip always. Green with envy for the crew!

Indeed an awful story to imagine. My uncle was deck officer aboard SUNDEW and to this day avoids talking about it. Thankfully we've come so far in technology that we can hope to avoid anything like this again on the Lakes.

While she sails along to Mackinaw City for her cruise, raise a glass in honor of the proud gal as she celebrates the 45th anniversary of her maiden voyage to Beaver Island. Countless trips, passengers, cargo... she's just like a member of the family. Spending 25 years with her little sister, South S...

Hello all, My name is Sean Whelan, grandson of Earl Gallagher. I've been trying to piece stories together of his brother, Fr. Vic. Working with some of the Gaylord priests that knew him have been interesting. Even though I was only a year old when he passed on, I feel a good connection. I'm proud to...

No, Roger Blough was downbound loaded with taconite loaded in Duluth bound for Gary- The Philip R. Clarke of the same company was laid up in Erie PA, and departed early in the week bound for Green Bay- this may have been the vessel you saw.

A salute to the Master and crew of the mighty M/V Roger Blough who officially opened the 2007 shipping season at midnight by being the first vessel to lock through the Soo. A fine honor for such a beautiful boat!

Haven't gotten through to Don... anyone know his status on her... willing to part or keep her? thanks!

Yes- she used to be docked in front of the Gallagher family house under the ownership of the Verticans. I'm know she remained on the island after they sold her, but not sure who picked her up. Would be a great boat to have! Thanks-