The Ludington Daily News from Ludington, Michigan • Page 1

Read over Famlllw In Mason County. VOLUME 51, NO. 14. THE LUDINGTON DAILY NEWS WEATHER: Gen. fair tonite con.

cold. LUDINGTON, MICHIGAN, WEDNESDAY, NOV. 13, 1940. PRICE, THREE CENTS. RESCUE TOLL DETAILS OF STORH DAMH6E CLEARED Believe Steamers William B.

Davock and Anna C. Minch Are Lying in Bottom of Lake Michigan With probable death toll of 68 persons, the tragic story of one of Lake Michigan's worst storms was unfolded clearly here this morning as reports sifted through Tuesday's tangled communications. 1 Sinking in the open seas off Ludington Monday night with probable loss of all members of both crews, of two large freighters, William Davock of Cleveland, and the Canadian freighter, Anna C. Minch, of Sarnia, Ont. The former carried a crew of is, the latter a crew of 25.

2. Grounding of 253-foot pulp carrier Navadoc near Little Point Sable, south of Pentwater, Monday night. Of crew of 19, 17 were taken off safely this morning, two others, a cook and cook's helper, 'being lost overboard in the storm. FROM FREIGHTER: Carferry City of Flint High on Ludington Beach 3. Grounding of Pere Marquette City of Flint 32 at Ludington.

Passengers were taken off early this afternoon. Crew was aboard, excepting for two taken off by breeches' buoy Tuesday. Refloating efforts were to begin this afternoon. 4. Two fishing tugs foundered near South Haven in Monday's storm, with a total loss of life of eight men.

5 In addition, numerous ships had limped into port, were aground or otherwise disabled in the storm at other Great Lakes points. Locally, bodies of 12 had been recovered at noon today. Eleven were from the Steamer Davock, owned by FIND WRECKAGE GRAND 11AVEN. Nov. 13.

Mounting piles of wreckage, which coast guards identified as having come from the missing tanker New Haven Sconoy, overdue from East Chicago 10 Muskegon, caused local officers to suggest the vessel might have foundered off this port during Monday's storm in Lake Michigan. Up to 2 p. m. today beach patrols had picked up an oar and part of a 'lifeboat marked with the steamer's name as well as fine top of the pilot house and doors. TOTAL OF 12 BODIES HELD IN LUDINGTON White-Shrouded Figures Are Mute Evidence of Fury of Storm MEN Twelve bodies, shrouded in white sheets, mute evidence of the fury of Monday night's gale, were lined up in a temporary morgue set up Tuesday evening in Salvation Army headquarters at 108 South Rath avenue.

It was expected other bodies would be recovered momentar- FROM WRECK TODAY All but Two of Crew on Steamer Novadoc Are Found Huddled in Cabin of Vessel A drama of the sea, as heroic as any in the annals of Great Lakes sailing, unfolded itself today with the, rescue this morning of 17 crew members from the broken hulk of the Canadian pulpwood carrier Novadoc five miles south of Pentwater. For at least 36 hours, 17 of the crew had hung tenaciously to hopes of toeing rescued, all of them crowding into the narrow con- would be recovered momentar- fl onl porti0n of the broke ship above ily following reports that otheis They were rescued this morning in dramatic fashion by a had been sighted at sturdV) chugging fishtug, the "Three Brothers" of Pentwater, operated by Harry Cross, one of the Cross ibrothers, well-known in Ludington, and along the west by Phillip Palmer. Shown in above photograph is a scene whic hundreds of Ludington persons have witnessed during the last two days, the spectacle of the carf erry fleet flagship high on the beach where it at various points along the Lake Michigan beach. In addition to the 12 recovered at Ludington, four others were found south of Pentwater late Tuesday and taken to Pentwater. It makes a total of 16 to date, out of the 60 lives believed lost in Lake Michigan in this region Monday night.

Recovered Here The twelve bodies recovered at Work of Refloating City of Flint to Get Under Way This Afternoon Four passengers, all who were aboard, were removed from City of Flint 32, aground just north of Ludington harbor, in a coast guard surfboat at 1 o'clock this afternoon. They were lowered over the side of the ship by means of a and returned to Crew of 43 remained aboard to assist in work of refloating the vessel. With a letup in weather, wind and waves having subsided sharply today, efforts to refloat City of Flint to water were to begin la.te this afternoon. The tug- dishing of Chicago was scheduled to arrive here (Please turn to Page S.JColunm 5) iESTlTElftSTS breakwater and moved easily to a halt oii the smooth be-ach. First plans for the floating of the vessel were going forward today.

The photograph shows the breeches buoy, which-was used to take two of the crew members from the craft. The remainder of the crew and four passengers remained on the ship. was driven oy the wind and waves of Monday night's storm. The ferry missed the entrance to the 1 1n vnl hprp Tupsdav afternoon U. I.

4.U« CTifof flnnfinrv tViQ lli cl 11L1 JL were taken first to Dorrell Funeral home, where men worked most of the Three firms, the Dorrell Funeral home and Morrison Funeral home of Ludington and the Stephens Funeral home of Scottville, co-operated in taking care of the remains and assisting in identification work. Later the bodies were taken to a temporary morgue in the Sal- Mason County Residents Patch Up Storm Damage Mason county, and particu- history, larly Ludington, were recover- Work on Repairs ing rapidly today from the (Confident that the worst i paralyzing effects of the most was over, local residents, mer- severe storm to strike this re- chants, factories and other (damaged establishments, began repair operations today. Many Duck Hunters Are Listed in Fatalities After Siid- Fatalities After Sudden Wintry Snap vation Army building, until arrangements can be made for transfer to their homes. coast of Michigan. A subsided sea, after almost two days of the howling fury of one of Lake Michigan's worst southwesters, made the rescue possible at 9:30 a.

m. today. The fishtug reached the steamer' shortly before a coast guard boat. All surviving crew members were able to climb from the battered ship to the fishtug without as- i The 17 men, suffering from Guardsmen and CCC Enrollees Hunt for Bodies and nn nnn Ainnn Ooor-h hunger and exposure, were taken Wreckage Along Beach I to Pen twaier coast guard station where they were re- Coast guard crews from Lud-, freshed with hot coffee, warm ington and other west shore clothes and given such medical points, assisted by a detach- treatment as was necessary. ment of 25 GCC a veteran enrollees from Camp Ludington- Pere Marquette, 'were patrolling the Lake Michigan shoreline Fate of the men aboard the ship had anxiously been awaited in all sections where it was known human beings were still from Muskegon termined here this (By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS) wind Twenty-six duck hunters nnri hardware lumber nnd nth-i drowned or died in the marsh- Pickands, Mather Co.

of land. The vessel was 450 feet long. It had left Erie, last week with a cargo of coal for South Chicago, Ind. Contrary to Tuesday's reports, the Davock did not go aground at Little Point Sable. Although, as far as Is known, no one survived to tell the exact story, it is believed the Davock late Monday or early Tuesday foundered in open water, at a point possibly 15 or 20 miles southwest of Ludington.

"Judging from where and at what time the 11 bodies were recovered, I would say the Davock must have gone down possibly 15 or 20 miles due southwest) of Captain A. E. Cliristoffersen, officer in charge of Ludington coast guard station. "But of course it Ls anybody's guess, for no one knows for sure. Another boGy at Ludington, found Buttersvlllc about noon Tuesday, is believed the Canadian B.

Minch. The a member of freighter, Anna youth, about 18, wore a Canadian-type life preserver. The Minch was owned by Sarnia Steampships, Samia, Ont. Four other bodies, recovered at Pentwater late Tuesday, were also believed to be sailors from the Minch. They likewise wore Canadian-typ? life preservers.

Beach between Ludington turn to Page FBI Studies Explosion to Determine if They Might Be Sabotage (By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS) A series of blasts in explosives of which was engaged in defense manufacture the attention of investigators today in an attempt to determine whether they were connected with possible sabotage efforts. A three-way inquiry was begun into the explosion In which eight were killed and 2Q injured at the plant of the United Railway Signal company plant, (Please turn to Page 8, Column 3) VincenTfobatto Reported Better Vincent Tobatto, 55-year-old Ludington resident, who was seriously hurt when a portion of the Wolverine Sportswear front wall toppled on a car in which he was sitting, was reported improved today by hospital authorities. The accident occurred Monday at the height of the storm as Mr. Tobatto was waiting for his wife who is emplpyed gion in at least the last quarter century. The hurricane-like which at times Monday had and hardware, lumber and oth- reached a velocity of 75" miles supply firms did a land-of- an hour, gradually subsided tice business.

Tuesday and was down almost to normal today. Temperature stayed about the same but the driving force of the gale was spent. Mason county today was calmly taking stock, of its still mounting damage toll. Although no official estimate is available, the total is expected vock. The twelfth, a youth of 18 or 19, was believed a member of the crew of the Canadian vessel, Anna C.

Minch. Roy Meyer of Cleveland, northward of'alive on the freighter. There joy thisJnorning when It-wps mornirm 7 search for add'ed bocTies "and7 reporte'd that; 17 of the crew of 19 wreckage from Monday been rescued. storm Kept Vigil oanVnin A IT rhrktoffprsen Through the night, coast mZSe of Ludington coast guardsmen and rescue workers ill ciiaiiigc ui iv prv j. vltxil nn lonplv guard station, the e0ancn0nW a the The clatter of hammers and other reviving noises were familiar through the county today.

Reports of further damage, not obtainable Tuesday, continued to sift in today but none (Please turn to Page 8, Column 2) lands Monday and Tuesday. The i representatives of the Interlakes death list included 11 in Steamship Cleveland, to of run into dollars. many It is thousands possible, loss many believe, that actual will set a new high for any single storm in the county's nesota, six in Wisconsin, four in Iowa, three in Illinois and two in Ontario as a result of Monday night's severe wintry storm. Excluding drownings in Lake Michigan, the storm death toll was: Minnesota 26, Illinois 10, reached Ludington this morning with two assistants to identify crew members of the Davock and make burial arrangements. The Davock was owned and operated by the Cleveland firm.

was patrolled from Muskegon to Big Point Sable Tuesday and that the area would be covered again today. sea to calm itself enough to enable them to man their smalj craft for rescue efforts. Because of the narrow target afforded by Four bodies were recovered at the pilot house, only portion of Pentwater late Tuesday and 121 the ship above water, it was not ait Ludington. One body, be- possible for coast guardsmen to Plan Burial Mr. Dorrell said this noon Wisconsin 9, Iowa 8, Indiana 5,1 burial arrangements for the 11 I II 11 1 Act Will Become Part of City Charter on May 5, 1941 Michigan 4, Colorado 2, South Dakota 2, Ontario 2, and Oklahoma, Wyoming, New York, and Kansas, one each.

Abnormally cold weather prevailed over tne enure nation except in California and Florida. (Many Minnesota towns re(Please turn to Page 8, Column 1) (Please turn to Page 8. Column 3) lieved a member of the crew of the Steamer Anna C. Minch, was discovered by Robert Rohn of this city. Nine picked up along others were the Ludington beach by local guardsmen Tues- (Pleasc turn to Page 8, Column 3) Carferry Fleet Record Intact Democratic Leaders Marshal Forces for Vote on Proposal Next Week WASHINGTON, Nov.

Democratic Congressional leaders, endeavoring to end the present law-making session, summoned their forces today to return to the capital for a showdown vote on adjournment early next week. The Republicans announced they would fight any such attempt, as evidence that they were assuming the role of "Loyal opposition" indicated for them in Wendell L. Will- kle's post-campaign speech. Telegrams went out to administration followers in the House urging them to be back A city police pension plan, voted on at a recent general election, will officially become an amendment to the city charter the beginning of the next fiscal year, May 5, 1941. The plan received official confirmation Tuesday night when the city commission met as a special board to canvass the vote on the proposal.

Final official vote was 1,726 ayes and 1,666 nays, same as reported by The News in its poll. A majority was passage. The plan provides for establishment, maintenance and administration of a system of pensions and retirements for benefit of police department members and for widows and (Please turn to Page 8, Column 2) Four Men Make Daring Trip from South Haven Across Lake Michigan CHICAGO, Nov. Four coast guardsmen from South Haven, were safe in port necessarv for today after a daring, 27 hour necessary tor Queen Elizabeth, Largest Shi'p in World, Goes into War Service NEW YORK, Nov. The liner Queen Elizabeth, largest ship in the world, joined a long line of British merchant vessels today in the war 1 I NOTICE ELKS! Entertainment Thursday Evening at 8:30 p.

m. For Elks and Lady Guests. Complimentary Lunch. E. A.

Miller, Sec'y. there Physicians at first at their desks here in time for feared he had suffered a skull JJ fracture. The car was totally demolished. Armistice Program Cancelled by Storm One of the most severe storms in the county's history forced cancellation of an Armistice Day parade and program Monday night. Early in the afternoon, it was evident that the parade would not be held tout plans for the program, scheduled for VFW hall, were kept intact.

Failure of electric power lines in that neighborhood, however, made it impossible to even hold the indoor program. a test vote on an adjournment resolution not later than Tuesday. Senate leaders also got in touch with rnajry of their supporters to ask them to be on hand. Senator Taft (R-OhioJ, asserting that arise at any or foreign affairs, said he expected Republicans to be almost unanimous In opposing adjournment. Michigan crossing in a 36 foot lifeboat during Tuesday's gale.

"It was the worst storm on the lake that I've ever seen, and I've been in plenty of them." service of the island kingdom. Manned by a men under Townley and duster of the the beleaguered crew of 465 Capt. John C. flying the red merchant fleet, vessel nosed ouf, to sea as ell Tuesday night to brave the dangerous North Atlantic where sea warfare has increased greatly in recent weeks. Her immediate destination, (Please turn to Page 8, Column 3) said the craft's commander, El- DlSCOVCrS GaS Costs mer Dudley, boatswain's ato a crisis might time in domestic For windstorm comprehensive and glass insurance call NEW- Insurance.

Phone 22 or 702 THE WEATHER Weather Forecast Lower Generally fair tonight and Thursday except occasional light snow in west and north portions tonight; continued cold. Detroit and Vicinity: Pair and continued cold tonight and Thursday; lowest temperature tonight 20 to 25; gentle southwest winds. Tho sun sets today at 5:13 and rises In day Report Duce's Navy Is Badly Damaged by Attacks on Naval Base (By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS) Britain's royal navy "has struck a crippling blow at the Italian fleet," the London admiralty reported today, seriously damaging two Fascist battleships and probably a third as well as two cruisers "snuggling behind their shore defenses" at the Taranto naval base. In addition, two auxiliary warships there were reported "lying with their sterns under water." Taranto, described as Italy's mate first class, "a veteran of 16 years in the guard. The boat put in at the Old Chicago coast guard station for (Please turn to 8, Column 1) Red Cross Aids Coast Guardsmen Mason county Red Cross members, under direction oi Executive Secretary Mrs.

Elna C. Schumacher, played a prominent role Tuesday in coast guard operations at Ludington beach where the City of Flint is grounded. One of the services of Mrs. Schumacher, was serving of hot coffee to chilled workers. The also supplied mittens to members of the Manistee crew who came here unprepared.

The Red Cross is also making a survey of storm damage throughout the county but so Money in Red Cross A little matter of driving into a local gas station, obtaining 10 gallons of gasoline and then driving away without so suddenly that the attendant was left holding the gas tank cap resulted in a 10-day stretch in Mason county jail for Thomas Brandon of Hart. State police arrested Brandon on complaint of William Wheeland, operator of Bill's cut-rate gas station, east of the city limits. Arraigned before Justice Henry Seeba Monday, he pleaded guilty to a petty larceny charge and was fined and costs totaling $3.75. Unable to pay, he was commitied. Brandon's story at first differed with Wheeland's.

He stated he obtained only two gallons of gas and had meant to pay for it later. Even in the face of the terrific gale of Monday and Tuesday, local Pere Marquette car- ferry fleet kept its amazing record of sending out at least one ship a day, winter and summer in all kinds of weather. Carferry 21 departed here late Tuesday evening. Driven up against piling near No. 3 slip as it endeavored to dock in the storm Monday night, No.

21 was moved to No. 3 slip early Tuesday evening, departing later that evening for Manitowoc, Wis. It was the only ship out of Ludington during the day. Carferries 18 and City of Saginaw 31 reached port he.re early today, City of Saginaw departing again for Milwaukee this morning. Carferry 22 was likewise again in regular service.

Leaving Luaington about 3 p. m. Monday, City of Saginaw crossed in the worst of the gale, docking six hours late at Milwaukee early Tuesday. Her radio aerial was blown down and she suffered a damaged sea-gate in the storm, but damages were not sufficient to keep her in port. The sea-gate, it was expected, will be repaired in a day or so, as soon as she can be spared from regular operation.

Radio service has already been restored. Carferry 21, returning to duty late Tuesday, received only minor damage when driven from its dock Monday evening. Photos of the storm from five far has found no family un-' photographers are on display sun sets toaay at 0:13 ana rises nao ot! of thp "in- aoie to Thursday at 7:21. The moon seta Thurs- main Sea Uase, I16S at tne m- nrted day at 6 43 a. m.

(Please turn to Page Column 2) repoi able to shoulder its loss, she and are for sale at the Shop. Camera shoot a life-line. They feared to shoot one across the submerged deck of the ship for fear survivors on the ship would be swept overboard by the still mountainous waves. Several times during the night, to let rescue workers on shore know they were still alive, members aboard the wrecked ship sent up flares and tried otherwise to let rescue workers know they were still alive. As the men were being taken off the steamer the hulk sank further into the surf, leaving all decks and part of the superstructure awash.

One person, Raymond Chapman, of the Muskegon coast guard station, was injured rescue operations. He was admitted to Paulina Stearns hospital this morning suffering from exposure. "A sudden shift in the wind would have finished the boat for good," said Dick Simpell, of Midland, the first mate. "Before we were taken off this morning I would have given the boat two more hours before-she broke completely apart." Captain Donald Steip of Wiarton, said the storm was the worst he had experienced in his 18 years on the lakes. "The boat just couldn't compete with the waves," he said.

"Monday afternoon I decided to let the boat go aground. All of the time we were grounded in the surf off Juniper beach I was worried about nine men in the after part of the ship. I knew that at least some of them were alive because they lit matches during the night." Steip said the last vessel he saw Monday was the grain carrier Anna C. Minch which is presumed to have been lost. He estimated that the ship was sighted off Grand Haven.

Howard Goldsmith, of Bing- Pi ease turn to Fage 8. Coiumn a). 1 1 1 ft I HUNTERS' DANCE I at LOON LAKE HALL I SATURDAY, NOV. 16. I Good Orchestra.

Admission to Hall Free. Dance 25c. 1 Refreshments and Lunch. Start at 6 p. m.

I Everybody Welcome. Sponsored by Lithuanian Friendship Club, i Irons, Mich. (November 30 at Doon Lake, 10th Anniversary.) i Lake, 10th Anniversary.) I NOTICE! Attention Masons: Pel- lowcraft and night meeting, Friday, November 15. Eacih member is requested to bring a guest. Pinochle, refreshments arid prfr- gram.

Masonic temple, I.