Just had to add the latest boat we saw this past weekend docked at St. Ignace.
This belongs to the U.S. Customs and Border Protection.
In the last post we wondered which of the protective services had the fastest boat.
Take a look at these on the stern.
This boat will be very important to the story in Book Three
of the Mackinac Trilogy.
In “Discovered – The Cross of Lorraine” several types of law enforcement boats
play a role in the search and rescue of Tawny.
While in the Straits area last week I photographed a few of them.
Take a look at the powerful engines mounted on the sterns of these vessels
and you can understand how they can reach such amazing speeds.
.
This craft is manned by Michigan Conservation Officers.
The above shots were taken at the St. Ignace Harbor. In the novel,”Chief” hitches a ride
from there on one of these boats. The law enforcement agencies in the Straits
work well together.
Last, but certainly not least, the U.S. Coast Guard boat temporarily docked at
Mackinac Island Harbor. I had to quickly capture this shot on a cell phone
before they sped off again.
Wouldn’t it be great to see these three boats in a race across the Straits?
While reading “Discovered – the Cross of Lorraine” some fans have had
difficulty picturing the coal dock where Takoda has his workshop. The above photo
focuses on the Arnold Dock below Fort Mackinac. The coal dock is to the left, just out of sight.
This winter shot was taken from the Arnold Dock – looking toward the Coal Dock.
Of course it is all fiction, but this was an ideal spot for Takoda’s boat restoration
business since it is isolated, near the hardware store and wonderful boats
have actually been restored there.
In 2005, extensive restoration of the Coal Dock began. Built before 1910, possibly as early
as 1860, the Coal Dock was aptly named, since coal used by residents was unloaded there
as well as hay, firewood and barreled fish. It was owned by the Arnold Line system for more
than 100 years, but before that belonged to Captain James Bennett and was known as
Bennett’s Wharf.
It is one of the most attractive sites on the waterfront and deserves preservation so that all visitors
throughout the coming years can enjoy seeing such a beautiful remnant of Mackinac’s past.
The stern of one of the gorgeous wooden boats handcrafted at the Coal Dock barn.
Photos of the Arnold Dock will be featured in the next posting.
In Discovered – The Cross of Lorraine, the main characters are often travelling
back and forth to Mackinac Island on the Star Line ferries.
A chapter in Book Two, Witnessed – Measures of Love (to be published in late summer)
explains a little about this ferry line’s fascinating boats.
Here’s a preview of the text:
“The ferry was pretty empty since the high tourist season begins Memorial Day weekend. Tawny and Takoda had the top deck to themselves. They waved hello to the captain and sat near the bow, close to the side rails, and looked on as the practiced crew flung the lines off the dock pilings.
The captain gunned the engines and quickly swung the boat around to face their destination, Mackinac Island. After they gained speed, he turned on the hydro pump that sucks up lake water, then shoots it out at the stern in a large plume of water.
Star Line is known for those towering “rooster tails.” Children and adults are all amused by the playful effect of the towering sprays.”
If you’re lucky enough to have “Scut” crewing (as seen on bow)
you’ll have great entertainment. This energetic wonder adds excitement to
the trip from St. Ignace to Mackinac and always gets folks laughing on the way back.
Mackinac Postings 