Navigating the
nation's coastal waters, whether the oceans or the Great Lakes,
has always been a risky business. Courageous volunteers performed
most of the early rescues, but often their efforts were hampered
by inadequate training and poor equipment. As the nation grew
in the post-civil War era, shipping also increased. On the Great
Lakes, both sailing vessels and steamers were numerous, carrying
cargoes of lumber, grain, iron ore and other products.
During the severe winter of 1870-71, 214 people lost their lives in shipwrecks on the Great Lakes. Shipwrecks were common along the Atlantic Coast. The need for professional rescue crews was evident, and in 1871 Congress appropriated money for this purpose. The U.S. Life-Saving Service was the government agency charged with carrying out rescues from shore.
Each station had
a keeper, often called "Captain," who had overall responsibility
for the station. He was chosen for his skill as a boatman coupled
with his ability to read and write. The keeper supervised a crew
of six to eight surfmen hired from the local community. The main
qualification for a surfman was the ability to row an open boat
in a storm. The surfmen were ranked by skill, the best man being
#1, while the least experienced would be #6, #7 or #8, depending
on the size of the crew. The men worked their way up through the
ranks. On the Great Lakes, the surfmen worked during the shipping
season from April to mid-December, while the keeper worked year-round.
The Sleeping Bear Point Life-Saving Station
By the turn-of-the-century, there were about sixty life-saving stations along the Great Lakes. This included one at Point Betsie, about 19 miles southwest of Sleeping Bear Point, and one on North Manitou Island about 15 miles north of Sleeping Bear Point.
The Manitou Passage, the channel between the Manitou Islands and the mainland, was a heavily-used shipping lane. Ships traveling between Chicago and the Straits of Mackinac favored the Manitou Passage over the open waters of Lake Michigan because of the shorter distance and access to the harbor-of-refuge on South Manitou Island. However, the waters of the Manitou Passage could be treacherous and shipwrecks occurred frequently. In 1901, two identical life-saving stations were constructed to guard the Manitou Passage, one on South Manitou Island and one at Sleeping Bear Point.
Over
the years, technological developments such as radios, radar and
helicopters reduced the need for many life-saving stations. The
Sleeping Bear Point Coast Guard Station closed during World War
II and stood idle until 1971 when it served briefly as the visitor
center for the newly-established Sleeping Bear Dunes National
Lakeshore. For several summers rangers led tours in the empty
station, interpreting the U.S. Life-Saving Service and Great Lakes
maritime history. Then in 1982 and 1983 the site underwent historic
restoration. The grounds and the buildings were restored to their
1931 appearance, except for the interior of the boathouse and
the crew's bedroom which were restored to the way they looked
in the early 1900s, during the first few years of the station's
existence. In the spring of 1984 installation of exhibits and
furnishings was completed and the former Coast Guard station re-opened
as a maritime museum. The official dedication took place with
a gala ceremony on Coast Guard Day, August 4, 1984.
As you browse throught the museum, you will learn the historic use of each of the rooms.
The life-saving stations played an important role in local communities, assisting in many ways beyond their official functions. The surfmen became folk heroes, freatly respected for their courage and skill. Neighbors often came by to watch their drills, especially the boating practice. This involved not only rowing in the surf, but also intentionally capsizing the boat and then righting it. The constant practice payed off in a crisis. From the time of its establishment in 1871 until it became part of the U.S. Coast Guard in 1915, the U.S. Life-Saving Service rescued over 178,000 people. Its success rate was an astounding 99%.
The Maritime Museum is open seasonally (Memorial Day through Labor Day) from 10:30 am to 5:00 pm. It is staffed by knowledgable volunteers who truly enjoy interpreting the life-saving era for our visitors.
During season, there is also a daily re-enactment of the breeches bouy rescue drill utilizing Raggedy Ann & Andy as our shipwreck victims. Needless to say, this particular program is especially enjoyed by children, who are encouraged to participate in the drill exercise.
School groups or other large groups may make arrangements prior to their visit for a ranger to guide them through the museum and boathouse. Please call park headquarters at 231-326-5134 for more information.
Last updated: 8/1/2006
Http://www.nps.gov/slbe/SLBE_MM.htm