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Transcribed and submitted by Linda Talbott
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Formatted by USGenNet Data Repository Chief Archivist, Linda Talbott
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                              ANNUAL REPORT
                                  of the
                              LAKE CARRIERS'
                               ASSOCIATION
                               
                                   1913
                              ==============
                              
Page 29
                               Rescue Work
                               
             The storm of November 9, 1913, in which so many
          lives and vessels were lost, destroyed all means of com-
          munication.  For two or three days news of the disasters
          was very meagre.  As soon, however, as the great havoc
          wrought by the storm was realized, the Lake Carriers'
          Association dispatched to the Canadian shore of Lake
          Huron a committee of captains with instructions to 
          divide the shore into districts, employ all help necessary
          and establish a thorough patrol of the beach from Port
          Huron as far north as necessary.  Headquarters were
          opened at Goderich, Ontario, where a telephone was in-
          stalled and communication at once established with all
          points along the shore.  This patrol system made a thor-
          ough search of the wreckage from the vessels and debris
          cast up by the storm, much of which was piled in tiers
          five to six feet deep at a distance 1,000 to 1,500 feet from
          the normal shore line.  It was found necessary to extend
          the patrol system north to the head of the peninsula pro-
          jecting between Lake Huron and Georgian Bay.  Yet so
          thoroughly was this duty performed that every foot of
          the shore line was thoroughly examined, and every body
          which was washed ashore was recovered.  The beach
          patrol was reinforced by the employment of tugs and
          motor boats to search for bodies floating in the lake.
          The Revenue Cutters of the United States and Canada were
          also pressed into service to patrol the open waters of
          the lake.
             The committee of captains was supplied with a suffi-
          cient number of copies of the crew lists of the lost ves-
          sels, together with descriptions of the men, which are in-
          cluded in the registration of each.  Telegrams were at
          once sent to the relatives and friends of the men aboard
          these vessels and detailed descriptions, including dis-
          tinguishing marks, and in many cases photographs, were
          received, and at once communicated by wire to the
          searching committee.  As soon as a body was recovered
          it was taken to the nearest town and compared with the
          description.  The bodies were then carefully prepared
          for burial and upon identification the relatives were 
          again communicated with and orders obtained for disposal.
          All bodies were encased in good suitable caskets and
          either shipped to such destinations as ordered by the
          relatives, or, if buried locally, funeral services were
          held and the bodies placed in graves especially for
          
          --------------------------------------------------------
          
Page 30
          them, or in plots dedicated by the cities for this particu-
          lar purpose.
             The Telegraph Companies extended to the Association
          the free use of their wires for all messages pertaining
          to the rescue work.  A reward of $25 for the recovery
          of each body was offered by the Lake Carriers' Associa-
          tion, and notice of same posted in all towns and settle-
          ments bordering upon the Canadian shore of the lake, as
          well as upon the islands in the northern portion of Lake
          Huron.
             Too much praise can not be given to the public offi-
          cials and citizens of Canada living along the shore of
          Lake Huron for their untiring efforts and assistance in
          the work of recovery.  Special acknowledgment is made
          of the assistance rendered by the Honorable Edward
          Norman Lewis, Member of Parliament, at Goderich, On-
          tario, the coroners in the various cities and towns,
          and the ministers of all denominations.  Much credit
          is due, also, to the Rescue Committee of the Association,
          which consisted of Captains E. O. Whitney, (chairman),
          C. E. Bowen, F. E. Wiener and J. A. Ferguson for their
          efficient work in the recovery and identification and
          care of the bodies.
          
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