Great Lakes Lighthouse Keepers Association

Note: One in a series of stories on Michigan and Great Lakes lighthouses. For many more stories on amazing lighthouses of the Great Lakes, click here.

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Note: One in a series of stories on Michigan and Great Lakes lighthouses, with information supplied by the Great Lakes Lighthouse Keepers Association.



For many more stories on amazing lighthouses of the Great Lakes, click here.

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The Forty Mile Point Lighthouse, a stately 1896 white tower, has more than an unusual name. it has a 1905 shipwreck on the beach and in shallow waters below the tower, the wreckage of the Joseph S. Fay, a bulk freighter built in 1871.

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The lighthouse got its name because it is 40 miles southeast of Old Mackinaw Point, as well as about 40 miles northwest of Thunder Bay. It was constructed as part of a plan that ships sailing Lake Huron from Mackinaw Point to the Saint Clair River would always have a lighthouse in view.

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Video of the shipwreck

The starboard side of the ship remains on the beach. The Fay was one of the first Great Lakes freighters built for the iron ore trade.

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Here's the description of the Oct. 19, 1905 shipwreck by the Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary:

With the D.P. Rhodes in tow, the giant bulk freighter Joseph S. Fay encountered a strong gale in northern Lake Huron. Fay hit the rocks at 40 Mile Point, the towline parted and the Rhodes met a similar fate at Cheboygan. The Fay broke apart quickly and its lower hull still containing a load of iron ore sits in shallow water not far from shore. A large portion of the starboard side is located on the beach just up the shore from the lighthouse.

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The ship had been en route from Escanaba, Michigan, To Ashtabula, Ohio.

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Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary

How the shipwreck happened, according to the Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary: With the D.P. Rhodes in tow, the giant bulk freighter Joseph S. Fay encountered a strong gale in northern Lake Huron. Fay hit the rocks at 40 Mile Point, the towline parted and the Rhodes met a similar fate at Cheboygan. The Fay broke apart quickly and its lower hull still containing a load of iron ore sits in shallow water not far from shore. A large portion of the starboard side is located on the beach just up the shore from the lighthouse.

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Here's another account of the shipwreck from the 40 Mile Point Lighthouse Society :

The captain hugged the coast seeking some protection from the violent wind and savage waves. The wind shifted violently, whipping inland. The Fay was being swept to shore. The seasoned captain turned toward open water desperately trying to gain control of his ship. The straining towline tightened, pulling taut. The ships rolled in opposite directions and the Rhodes broke free taking a portion of the Fay's stern with her.

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"Suddenly free, the Fay gained some forward movement, but she was now sinking. Water rushed into the hull. The fires in the boilers would be extinguished leaving the boat powerless and adrift. Cold, wet and nearly frozen, the crew crowded into the forward cabin. The captain struggled to bring the Fay around and head to shore toward 40 Mile Point Light Station.

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"It was a close race, but the Fay made it. Her bow struck a sandbar and the entire forward cabin was torn off. The wheelhouse, deck, mate's and captain's rooms were ripped from the deck. Incredibly, huge waves lifted the structure and carried it to shore where it washed up on the sandy beach near the light station. The captain and 10 crewmen were safe inside.

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Julie Hoogland | jhoogland@mlive.com

"First Mate David Syze of Port Huron wasn't so fortunate. Clinging to the beached hull, Syze and two others ripped off a spar and used it to paddle to shore. Syze attempted to swim, but was overcome by the cold and was lost.

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The lighthouse keeper's log for Dec. 4, 1905 reads: “The assistant found a dead man on the beach about 1 mile up. We think it is the mate of the Fay.”

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Diving rules of the Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary:

"Enjoy diving the wrecks of Thunder Bay, but always respect the past. State and federal laws prohibit removing or disturbing artifacts. Please take only pictures and leave only bubbles."

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MLive file photo

The 40 Mile Point light has a 52-foot brick tower, painted white, which is integrated into a two-story brick duplex keepers’ house. Half of the duplex now houses a full-time caretaker; the other half contains a nautical museum.

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The still-active lighthouse makes use of a 4th order Fresnel lens to provide its light. The lighthouse is operated by the 40 Mile Point Lighthouse Society. The grounds are open to the public year round from 8 a.m. to sunset.

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To see this light: From Rogers City, take US-23 north for about 7 miles. The lighthouse is located in Presque Isle County Lighthouse Park. (Do not turn on 40 Mile Point Road). Continue north past the Lighthouse Park sign on US-23 approximately 100 yards to the entrance to the park.

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The lighthouse itself is open from 10 to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday, and noon to 4 p.m. on Sunday, according to www.40milepointlighthouse.org and The Lighthouse Facebook page.



The society has several special events at the lighthouse in 2017

--Historical Re-enactment, July 15-16, 2017

-- Rogers City Nautical Festival, Aug. 1-6, 2017

-- Night At The Lighthouse, October 6, 2017, 6:30-9 p.m.

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This lighthouse update is provided as a service to lighthouse lovers by the Great Lakes Lighthouse Keepers Association. For additional information, call 231- 436-5580, visit www.gllka.com.

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The lighthouse has a twin. Its plan is nearly identical to the one for the Big Bay Point Lighthouse on Lake Superior, which was constructed at the same time.

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