Entry #82: N44.47.707, W87.18.680
Friday, July 19th (Day 74) – I arrived in Manitowoc in heavy fog and I left Manitowoc in heavy fog. It was 7:15 am in the morning when I left harbor on Friday. Even though storms were being forecast, I needed to be a bit more aggressive if I was to make Sault Saint Marie by August 1st. I was well rested and hoped to make Sturgeon Bay (65 miles).
As the fog dissipated and the breeze filled in, a ‘severe storm watch’ was announced by the USCG over VHF Channel 16. Numerous lightning strikes and high winds had been hitting Duluth all day and they were heading directly towards me.
The sailing was difficult and progress was slow in the rains, winds and seas from the passing storms. I sent a text to the Chairman of this years’ Trans-Superior International Yacht Race (who happens to reside in Duluth) requesting him to stop sending these storms my way.
It was after 11 pm when I realized I wasn’t going to make the 65 miles to Sturgeon Bay. For the past hour, I had been unable to find either a port or safe harbor. The building seas and winds became a growing concern as another storm was on its way. I finally reached the mouth of the Sturgeon Canal but was unable to maneuver NTL to enter in the heavy seas. Exhausted, I decided to get as close to shore, anchor and ride it out.
The water depth was 10 feet where I anchored. In my cabin, I put my electronics into the oven in case NTL was struck by lightning. I sat trying to keep my balance as NTL rocked up and down in the heavy seas. It was 3 am when I heard a loud bang. At first I thought my radar deflector had crashed unto the deck. I got out into the blowing storm started NTLs diesel and went to my bow with the intention of pulling up anchor as I knew these conditions were not sustainable.
I have a guardian angel. To my horror, the bang I heard was not my radar reflector, it was the breaking of 2 out of 3 weaves of my anchor line. I was about to lose my anchor! Fortunately the anchor line was damaged near the bow and I was barely able to reach down and eventually grasp the unbroken portion of the anchor line. It took all my strength to pull the anchor up. Once I secured the anchor to the boat, I powered up the diesel and eventually was able to safely maneuver into the canal.
As a side note, I found it a reflection of the conditions seeing 35′ plus charter fishing boats going out into the lake and turning around to come back into the canal.
Never Too Late For 