A PEEK AT THE PAST
Sailor Removed From Steamer
by Leonard DeFrain

This took place in July, 1958, Veron Eckert, 55, of Duluth, was removed to the Harbor Beach Hospital Tuesday at 9 a.m. from the steamer, A. T. Kinney. Coast Guard personnel met the ship 2 ½ miles northeast of the lighthouse and transferred him to Ramsey's ambulance at the Hercules dock.

Mr. Eckert was making his first trip on the Kinney. He fell in the fantail, breaking his arm and he also received cuts about the face. The Kinney was under the command of Captain Leonard Wilkowski of Harbor Beach.

C.W. Oaks was the marine doctor for Harbor Beach. Over the years he made many trips out into Lake Huron for injured or sick sailors. He told me many times the trip was rough and going up the ladder was a little scary.

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August 21, 1950

Two 14-year-old boys were rescued by the crew of the J.H. Schale. Thomas Williams and Robert Semple, Jr. of Gross Pointe were rescued about midnight. They had left the Harbor Beach harbor about 1:30 p.m. in an 18-foot sailboat. They were last seen about 4:30 p.m.

The search started late Monday afternoon by the Coast Guard, Sheriff Department, State Police and City Police. Two planes spotted the boys about 7:45 p.m. five miles east of Port Hope. The steamer, J.H. Schale, notified the Coast Guard that they had picked up the boys.

Glenne Blashil, boat livery operator, brought the boys ashore at 2 a.m. The boys' parents were summer residents of the Harbor Beach Resort Association.