posted 01-21-1999 12:15 PM            

As some of you may know from my previous posts, The Saginaw River Lightstation was built in 1839 and served as a USCG station from 1938 to the mid eighties. It was vacated when the USCG built a new station across the Saginaw River from the old lighthouse. Of course the light has long been extinguished.

This light is landlocked by Dow Chemical and is very difficult to get close photographs of it unless you have access to a boat, or an aircraft. (Just ask Rod Watson as he visited the light last summer)

(Enter the ice adventure) Wintertime, ice, access problem solved! I do not recommend the following unless you are very sure of the local conditions and understand the risks involved.

The Saginaw River up until a few years ago did not freeze do to contamination. Since then, the river is becoming cleaner, and we are getting better ice conditions. So, I decided to walk down the river to the lighthouse and get some photos. Armed with my camera and cell phone for safety, (in hindsight I guess a cell phone wouldn't work very well underwater) I set out across the ice. It is approx. a half mile walk which isn't too bad, until you run into deep slushy snow. At times, the snow was above my knees and the water on top of the ice, above my boots. Determined, I pushed on.

Reaching the lighthouse, It became clear just how neglected she had been over the years. Since the Coasties moved out, no maintainence has been done and the tower and quarters are beginning to fall into disrepair. Doing some research, it seems the light is now privately owned, but Dow is not allowing any access across their property, preventing the current owners from doing much in the way of upkeep.

I got some great shots, despite an overcast sky and cold, wet feet. I wanted to wait for a sunny day for my trek, but with all the recent warm weather and rain, ice conditions were deteriorating and I didn't want to take that big of risk.

If you have read this far, thank you for listining to my babble. I promise I won't make it a habit.

-Todd

posted 01-27-1999 12:58 AM            

www.HarbourLights.com/galleries/index.htm

Then click on the first photo on the page. Otherwise you'll only see one of many great pictures

posted 01-27-1999 11:16 AM            

If I would have been thinking, I would have borrowed one of our Mustang Cold Water Survival suits from my F.D., a "Gumby" suit as we call them.

As of 1-26-99, most of the river is now wide open due to copious rain and warm temps. I am glad I made my trip when I did. Thank you all for the kind words about the story and the photos, and a special thank you to John, for posting them.

posted 01-17-2000 04:38 PM            

Thanks for saving this thread from obscurity Rod!