Copyright USGenNet Inc., 2015 All Rights Reserved USGenNet Data Repository Please read USGenNet Copyright Statement on this page: Transcribed and submitted by Linda Talbott for the USGenNet Data Repository http://www.us-data.org/ =========================================================================== Formatted by USGenNet Data Repository Chief Archivist, Linda Talbott All of the above information must remain when copied or downloaded. =========================================================================== The Pentwater News November 29, 1940 Coast Guard and Cross Relate Stories at Inquiry. Commanders A. F. Glaza and Guy B. Skinner arrived in Pentwater Monday to conduct an inquiry into the acts of coast guard personnel in this vicinity during the storm on Nov. 11 - 12 which caused the loss of three Canadian steamers, NOVADOC, ANNA C. MINCH and WM. B. DAVOCK. The hearing, scheduled to start at 1:30 Monday, did not get under way until nearly 3:00 o'clock as Commanders Glaza and Skinner accompanied members of the coast guard to the NOVADOC to rescue Messrs. J. Jorisen and Dan Dimond who were marooned there when their boat broke loose and drifted away. In opening the inquiry, Commander Glaza, who presided, stated "No one is on trial," going on further to state that an inquiry would have been held even if no lives had been lost to gather facts and informa- tion. This information will be reviewed by Chicago headquarters to see if Coast Guards were in any way negligent in duty. Chief Boatswain's Mate A. E. Christopherson, who is in charge of the Ludington station, and Chief Boatswain Mate Alfred M. Anderson, in charge of the Grand Haven station, by reason being junior and senior officers on the scene, were made for proceeding purposes, co-defen- dants. The first witness on Monday was the keeper from Little Pt. Sable lighthouse, Wm. Krewell, near where the NOVADOC went aground late Monday, Nov. 11. Mr. Krewell stated that they first noticed the ship about 8:00 p.m. and attempted in vain to signal it by flares. He said the wind was terrific, about 75 miles per hour, the waves high and with the snow and sand blowing visibility was practically nil. He attempted to call Ludington and as telephone lines were down could not reach them so he called the Muskegon lighthouse and then Chicago head- quarters, receiving orders to motor to Ludington and report matters. As officer Christopherson was on the beach on duty in connection with the CITY OF FLINT. Mr. Krewell reported to Alexander Rouleau, Chief Boatswain's Mate, who was in charge, and returned to the lighthouse. Later that night members of the Coast Guard stations at Grand Haven, Muskegon and White River arrived with equipment at Pt. Sable, but because of the storm and high seas could not use beach equipment. Raymond G. Chapman, Chief Boatswain's Mate, of Muskegon station, second witness on Monday, testified regarding his part in the affair. After being notified of the boat in distress he too received orders from Chicago to proceed to the scene, first going to Grand Haven with orders for them to take their power surf boat to the scene. This he did and on his way to Pt. Sable he picked up additional men at White River station. Additional testimony of Officer Chapman brought out that the sea was so high on Tuesday that they deemed it unadvisable to try to launch a boat at or near the NOVADOC. This was for several reasons, one being they could not get close to the beach on the road because of sand hills; also the NOVADOC was in no immediate danger of breaking up and members of the crew, if alive, would be safer aboard, as it would be shear suicide to try taking them off by a line and breeches buoy. Mr. Chapman further stated that on Wednesday when attempts were made to launch the Grand Haven power boat it became stuck in the mud and before they could release it and start out the fish tug "THREE BROTHERS" passed the station on its way out to the NOVADOC. The "THREE BROTHERS" and its crew took off 17 survivors and brought them to Pent- water, landing at their own dock. Surfman Peters of Ludington station, called Tuesday morning before the inquiry board, testified as to distress calls received and said waves and current were so strong at Ludington that life boats could not have been successfully launched on Tuesday, and decided after sur- veying scene that use of beach equipment could not be made and that he concurred with that opinion. Mr. Anderson stated that when the attempts were being made Wednesday morning to launch the life boat and it became stuck he called to the "THREE BROTHERS" which was passing 100 feet away for help and no answer was made. Officer Alfred Anderson of Grand Haven station, who on Tuesday morning was made a co-defendant with Officer Christopherson of Luding- ton after he had testified, testified concerning being ordered to the scene with equipment. Because of sand dunes and no road he could not get directly to the beach. Officer Christopherson of the Ludington station, and who was senior officer in rank to Officer Anderson, arrived about 9:00 a.m. on Tuesday. Continuation of the inquiry Tuesday afternoon brought several more witnesses before the board. All testified as to the weather, sea con- ditions and stated they did not think it would have been possible to have reached the NOVADOC on Tuesday by life boat or beach apparatus. Morris McHugh, Surfman at Ludington, who accompanied Mr. Chris- topherson to the scene, said he heard Mr. Christopherson tell Officer Anderson of Grand Haven to take charge as he had to get back to Lud- ington where the CITY OF FLINT was in danger. On Wednesday morning Clyde Cross, owner and captain of the "THREE BROTHERS," and one of his crew, Joe Fountain, were called. Both testi- fied concerning their actions. Both said they had visited the scene of the NOVADOC. So he and his crew started out, not have been reached. Mr. Cross said he had offered his tug but the offer was not accepted, and early on Wednesday he felt something should be done for the stranded crew on the NOVADOC. So he and his crew started out, reached the NOVADOC and took off 17 men alive and returned them to Pentwater, landing them at his dock as pier near station and ladders there were covered with ice and it was easier at his own dock. Mr. Cross and Mr. Fountain said they absolutely did not see or hear anyone on life boat making signals of any kind Wednesday morning when they were leaving Pentwater on way to the NOVADOC. Commander Glaza publicly thanked Mr. Cross and his men, saying "I want to thank you for a splendid job." Officer in Charge Arther Anderson of the Pentwater station who was on leave and returned as survivors of the NOVADOC were brought in, was called before the board. Officer Christopherson was before the board Wednesday afternoon and Thursday morning testifying in his own behalf as to his actions. Upon the conclusion of his testimony the board adjourned for investigation at Ludington and may reconvene there if necessary. ===========================================================================