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MAY JUNE, 1972 Page 68 see that she was on her side and some men were clinging to her, but I had to go where the breakers, back- wash, and undertow were throwing me. I was completely exhausted and it seemed at times that the breakers would smother me. I got in closer to shore and thought I might touch bottom with one foot, just for a rest, but when I tried it a huge wave completely covered me. I was becoming very weak. I saw a man coming toward me with a rope tied around his waist and the other end held by people on shore. He shouted to me and said there was a channel between us and he couldn't get out any farther, but he thought he could reach me after another breaker would send me in. I soon got it...arother breaker came roaring in and that was the last I remember. When I was revived I was in the lighthouse. Afterwards they told me they had workedonme for four hours. Then they told me the name of the man who had pulledme from the water. He was Colin C. (Coly) McGregor, the dock agent. I have never seen him since. Several others of the life- boat crew were helped ashore by the townspeople. Chris Oldfield and Robert Williams were two who assist- ed in the rescue. As the lifeboat rolled over all but three surfmen and two seamen were thrown out. Everyone expected the boat to right itself immediately but it failed to do so. 'It beached itself south of the dock, and those clinging to it were saved. The re- maining five surfmen and Captain Plough were also rescued as they were wearing life jackets. Captain Jones, three crewmen, and the girl were drowned. Their bodies came ashore later in the day about two miles south of where the tradg- edy took place. They were recovered and laid out in the township hall in Port Sanilac. The following day the remains of Captain Jones and Lewis Fertaw were sent to Bay City for burial. George MacFarland, Henry Anderson and the girl, Julia Graver- eatte were buried in potters field in the Port Sanilac cemetery. MacFarland was from Cleveland, Anderson was from Ashtabula, and the girl was from Seberaing, Mich- igan. The two surviving members of the crew of the St. Clair were Maur- ice McKennan and John Rose, both of Detroit. The survivors were cared for over- night by the people of the village. On the following day, Wednesday, October 3rd, all the members of the Coast Guard crew left Port Sanilac on the steamer R. G. Stewart to return to Sand Beach. She took the lifeboat in tow and they arrived at their destination at five in the afternoon. There was a large gathering of people awaiting us upon arrival, and we were welcomed with open arms, many saying that they had never expected to see us again. Some said they could not sleep that night, thinking of us out in the storm. We learned the St. Clair had foundered during the night. Large sections of the breakwater were carried away and the water had run farther into town than had ever been known before. Boathouses were wrecked and boats were driven ashore. It was one of those storms that come only once in a lifetime. This adventure has been a night- mare to me all these years. In my dreams I can hear and feel the high watery walls in the Stygian darkness come rushing at our tiny craft, each one threatening to engulf us. And again in that murky dawn I will see that high, green mountain of water which overwhelmed us in the end. The leadership of Captain Plough had been superb and each crew member had done his job. You could ask no more. I don't consider it poor judg- ment that our boat was overturned. It was just bad luck. It was the only thing we could do...to attempt the landing when and where we did. In closing I must mention the courage to the girl, Julia Graverea- tte. The fortitude she displayed that night on Lake Huron most surely set an example to the others. She deserved much more than a grave in potters field! BH