Grand Marais Sun Rise -- Post 2

This second posting in my sun rise walk features the walk out the pier, or breakwall as some refer to it. I edited information from the website http://www.midwestconnection.com/Lighthouses/lk_superiorLT/GrandMaraisLT.htm.

Located near the beautiful Pictured Rocks National Park, Grand Marais' West Bay is the only deep water place of refuge from White Fish Point to Munising. This made Grand Marais' harbor strategically important for shipping on Lake Superior during the 1800's, especially for vessels needing a harbor of refuge during the sometimes violent storms on Lake Superior. Some early French maps have this harbor of refuge shown as "le Grand Mare" meaning a safe harbor. In 1872, a breakwater was constructed in the harbor to further it's protection from Lake Superior. Here is an aerial shot taken a few years ago of the bay with the channel piers.

There are two lighthouses that are located at the north and south ends of the west pier. The inner harbor light (Front Range light) was constructed on the long stone breakwater in 1895 with it's skeletal steel tower standing 34 feet tall on a pier foundation. It's beacon, with a lens focal plane of 40 feet above lake level, produces a flashing white display every 2.5 seconds with a visibility range of 15 miles. The harbor entrance light (Rear Range light) was constructed in 1898 with it's skeletal steel tower standing 47 feet tall on a pier foundation at a distance of 2,610 feet from the Front Range light. It's beacon, with a lens focal plane of 54 feet above lake level, produces a flashing white display every 4 seconds with a visibility range of 15 miles.

In 1899, the U.S. Coast Guard established a very important Life-Saving Station here. The current Grand Marais facility was constructed in 1938 and deactivated in 1981. A notable rescue was carried out from this station on November 14, 1919. The Lifesaving, crew along with 4 civilians (Joseph Graham, Ambrose Graham, Ora Endress, and James MacDonald), set out to rescue the crew of the stranded steamer H.E. RUNNELS. Heavy snow, monstrous waves and ice covering the decks on the steamer made this a very hazardous rescue. The high seas had washed some of the rescuers out of the lifesaving boat in the process but no lives were lost. All 17 crew members from the steamer were rescued. On June 3, 1920, John O. Anderson, Alfred E. Kristofferson, Leon E. Alford, George Olsen, Glen Wells, Edward J. Spencer, Russell Martin, William Campbell and Joseph G. McShea were all awarded a Gold Lifesaving Medal for their bravery.

Here is a front view of the current building, which now houses offices for the Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore. The second photo below was taken of the building from the west pier.

At the end of Coast Guard Point, to the north of the life-saving station, is the Grand Marais Historical Society's Light House Keepers House Museum. There are parking lots on both sides of the building to allow easy access to the light houses and west pier. Here is a few of that building taken from the west pier.  Notice the woman sitting on the pier enjoying the view.

I parked to the north of the light house keeper's house, and walked out onto the pier. It was a beautiful morning with fairly calm winds. There was just enough breeze to put a ripple on the lake's surface. There are times, though, when you should not venture even close to the pier. Pictures tell the story.

Now, here is the first batch of pictures I took while walking out onto the west pier.