Pentwater in Oceana County, Michigan — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Graveyard of Ships / Veterans' Day Storm
Photographed By Joel Seewald, August 3, 2017
1. Graveyard of Ships / Veterans' Day Storm Marker
Inscription.
Graveyard of Ships, also, Veterans' Day Storm. .
Graveyard of Ships. The twenty-mile span of Lake Michigan between Little Point Sable, at Silver Lake, and Big Point Sable, north of Ludington, has earned a reputation as the "Graveyard of Ships." Beginning with the loss of the Neptune in 1848, through the Armistice (now Veterans') Day Storm of 1940, nearly seventy vessels have gone down in these treacherous waters. Gales and November snow storms have made navigation of this part of the lake a sailor's nightmare. Significant among the losses near Pentwater Harbor were the schooner Wright in 1854, the Minnie Corlett and the Souvenior in 1875, the Lamont in 1879 and the tug Two Brothers in 1912. The freighters William B. Davock, Anna C. Minch and Novadoc were all lost on November 11, 1940.
Veterans' Day Storm. The most disastrous day in the history of Lake Michigan shipping was Armistice (now Veterans') Day, November 11, 1940. With seventy-five-mile-per-hour winds and twenty-foot waves, a raging storm destroyed three ships and claimed the lives of fifty-nine seamen. Two freighters sank with all hands lost, and a third, the Novadoc, ran aground with the loss of two crew members. Bodies washed ashore throughout the day. As night fell, a heavy snow storm arrived. Rescue efforts by the Coast Guard and local citizens continued for three days after the storm. Three Pentwater fishermen were later recognized by the local community and the Canadian government for their bravery in rescuing seventeen sailors from the Novadoc.
Graveyard of Ships
The twenty-mile span of Lake Michigan between Little Point Sable, at Silver Lake, and Big Point Sable, north of Ludington, has earned a reputation as the "Graveyard of Ships." Beginning with the loss of the Neptune in 1848, through the Armistice (now Veterans') Day Storm of 1940, nearly seventy vessels have gone down in these treacherous waters. Gales and November snow storms have made navigation of this part of the lake a sailor's nightmare. Significant among the losses near Pentwater Harbor were the schooner Wright in 1854, the Minnie Corlett and the Souvenior in 1875, the Lamont in 1879 and the tug Two Brothers in 1912. The freighters William B. Davock, Anna C. Minch and Novadoc were all lost on November 11, 1940.
Veterans' Day Storm
The most disastrous day in the history of Lake Michigan shipping was Armistice (now Veterans') Day, November 11, 1940. With seventy-five-mile-per-hour winds and twenty-foot waves, a raging storm destroyed three ships and claimed the lives of fifty-nine seamen. Two freighters sank with all hands lost, and a third, the Novadoc, ran aground with the loss of two crew members. Bodies washed ashore throughout the day. As night fell, a
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heavy snow storm arrived. Rescue efforts by the Coast Guard and local citizens continued for three days after the storm. Three Pentwater fishermen were later recognized by the local community and the Canadian government for their bravery in rescuing seventeen sailors from the Novadoc.
Erected 1986 by Bureau of History, Michigan Department of State. (Marker Number S571.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Disasters • Waterways & Vessels. In addition, it is included in the Michigan Historical Commission series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1848.
Location. 43° 46.645′ N, 86° 25.982′ W. Marker is in Pentwater, Michigan, in Oceana County. Marker is on South Hancock Street (Business U.S. 31) north of Fifth Street, on the right when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 519 South Hancock Street, Pentwater MI 49449, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Ships and Shipping (a few steps from this marker); The Lumber Industry (within shouting distance of this marker); Brass Anchor (within shouting distance of this marker); Pentwater Wire Products (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Lites Drug Store (about 600 feet away);
Also see . . . 1940 Armistice Day Blizzard. Wikipedia article (Submitted on August 14, 2017, by Joel Seewald of Madison Heights, Michigan.)
Photographed By Joel Seewald, August 3, 2017
3. Graveyard of Ships / Veterans' Day Storm Marker
View looking south along South Hancock Street (Business U.S. 31). Pentwater Municipal Marina is on the right.
Credits. This page was last revised on August 14, 2017. It was originally submitted on August 14, 2017, by Joel Seewald of Madison Heights, Michigan. This page has been viewed 289 times since then and 24 times this year. Photos:1, 2, 3. submitted on August 14, 2017, by Joel Seewald of Madison Heights, Michigan.
