When The Freighters Pass
The freighters are our daily companions at Neebish Island. There is little to compare to one's first sight of a one-thousand foot ore carrier as it slips from the evergreens to nearly fill the upbound channel. One might think that an industrial thing like a freighter would be a dull sight or even a coarse intrusion in a crisp northwoods setting. But a ship on the water is as live as any creature can be, and one need only see it once to know what I mean. I think the ships, like wild creatures, are happiest when they are out on the water, slicing the waves on the open Great Lakes, or slipping through the cedar-clad rivers. I don't think they like to be tied up any more than the rest of us. On a busy day, we might see half a dozen of them. The ships pass within 50 yards of the end of our dock -- well within hailing distance, much to the delight of the children in the summer houses. It's our habit to trot down to the end of our docks, waving and calling to the captains for a salute (one long blast, two short). Nearly every ship will give one, which we enthusiastically return. When the wind is quiet, it's possible to talk to the folks who step out of the pilot house, though it requires a bit of shouting. Over the years, we get to know the ships and their captains by name, and occasionally someone will happen to meet one of them when they are ashore in Duluth or Detroit. To an individual, they tell us that the passage through our little channel is a favorite amongst them. It has always been a surprise to me that these spectacular ships pass other little settlements without so much as a nod from the people on the shore -- apparently, Neebish is the only place where the residents greet the ships with waves and shouts. The captains look forward to the passage as much as we do, and everyone is a little disappointed when a favorite ship slips past at night, when we can see only the lights gliding by, and the captains do not salute out of regard for sleeping islanders.
I was fortunate this year to get some of the best photos I've ever taken as our freighters passed by. Take a look and see if you agree. LV
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