CAPTAIN BILLS' V-25:
With the possible exception of Vermilion’s Moes brothers (Moes Marine Inc.) both the art and craft required to construct and repair wooden boats is become a very rare - almost extinct - vocation about the Great Lakes. The first wooden vessel constructed in Vermilion on record was Captain William Austin’s schooner, "Friendship II” in 1812. The last, one may safely conclude, is yet to be built. But the heyday of shipbuilding in our pretty city faded toward the end of the 19th century, and virtually disappeared in the early years of the next - the 20th - century as the industry turned toward building larger vessels of iron and steel.
While the shipbuilding industry declined in Vermilion - for a time numerous commercial wooden craft would layover in the harbor during the winter months for repairs, etc. The point of the matter is that the craftsmen and materials needed to maintain the remaining vessels lingered in Vermilion for a number of years after the industry itself dissolved.
The artisans who lingered along the western banks of the river otherwise busied themselves with fabricating small skiffs and dinghies - some propelled by sails, and some by gasoline engines. One of the best known of them (historically) was George Goetz whose place once sat between the present day Waterworks and the Sail-Loft / French Restaurant. A younger, lesser known, fellow was William H. Daniels.
"Captain Bill", as Daniels came to be known along the waterfront was born in Berlin Heights, Ohio about 1904 (d.1992). Growing up near Lake Erie he had very early in life become interested in boats and boating. As a youngster he built several, and had also become a proficient sailor as a hobby. But by the time he came to Vermilion (about 1930) the "hobby" had become his profession.
Initially he worked repairing large vessels and built (as previously mentioned) several skiffs and dinghies. By 1935-36 he established his own business in the basement of the "Horton Building" at the foot of Ferry Street. [Note: This may refer the Sail-Loft building.]
By 1938 Captain Bill, along with his assistants William Eisenhauer (b.1902 - d.1978) and Mrs. Daniels - who made the sails, had built about 12 "Comet Class" sailboats for persons scattered about Ohio. In addition to this Daniels had dreamed of designing purely fresh water cabin yacht.
Noting that salt water craft vary somewhat in their lines; a concave bow and less free board than their freshwater counterparts; he envisioned that a design with a convex box and more free board (among some other changes) would be better adapted to the short choppy waters found on the inland lakes.
After making a model Daniels had local artist Dean Quigley draw up plans and the result was a boat (pictured with Captain Bill and William Eisenhauer) he called the V-25 (i.e. Vermilion 25 footer). The vessel in the bottom photo is the "Viking II" the fourth V-25 to be built. When the photo was taken Captain Bill had orders for 3 additional vessels and had been forced to refuse several more orders because of the limited production capacity of his shop.
The top photograph shows the first three V-25’s; "Mibett", "Sarane", and the "Pixie Too" on the east side of the river just across from the Sail-Loft in 1938. At the time of production the hope was that the V-25 would eventually join the "Comet" and the "Star" class boats as a popular racing vessel. Whether that ever became a reality is unknown [to this writer].
As a footnote it should be noted that Captain Bill’s dream boat was not entirely made of wood, but was entirely a product of Vermilion. Even the iron keel was cast here - at the old Nuhn foundry just west of the village.
And so it was. In just a yesteryear.
Ref: The Vermilion News, 7-28-1938; Pearl Roscoe Photo Collection, courtesy of the Vermilion Area Archival Society. Published in the Vermilion (Ohio) Photojournal 10-25-07.
William Basil Tarrant - Editor / Publisher
Vermilion News
BILL BASIL: Born on December 10, 1898 in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada Bill grew up in the "blurbs' of Portland, Maine, U.S.A. He would later recall clambakes with his friends at Old Orchard Beach, and the family cottage home replete with a fresh spring that ran through the fruit cellar year long; and days in his youth when apprenticed with a master printer in the city of Portland. But those days were fleeting.
At the outset of the "War To End All Wars" (WWI) he joined the U.S. Army and was almost immediately dispatched to France in an artillary unit. Although wounded in action while in France (he was a victim of mustard gas) he remained in the theater for the duration of the war. It was an experience (both the gassing and the war) that remained very much a part of him for the remainder of his days.
While in the service he befriended a fellow from Massachusetts. Together they formed plans to travel to Texas after the war. [Note: Their plan - as best I ever understood it - was to hunt alligators. One might assume that aside from adventure there must have somehow been some capital gains driving the quest. But who knows? Two young fellows fresh from a brush with certain death likely felt that after the war no danger was too great and no adventure too small.]
However; the point is rather moot. For after their return from France Bill's friend fell ill. And whilst the young adventurer did begin the journey to the south he never arrived.
Travelling by train on the first leg of the aforementioned quest the handsome young gentleman decided to stop in a place called Vermilion, Ohio to visit an uncle. That uncle was the Reverend H.C. Lynch the pastor of Vermilion's First Congregational Church.
The church was then located directly behind the Vermilion Newspaper printshop. Mentioning to his uncle that he had, before the war, been an apprentice printer in Portland the uncle suggested that he might want to visit the local printer - and perhaps inquire about a job.
It was 1919. Pearl and Bessie Roscoe's newspaper and printing business were thriving. Finding a person with printing experience was likely to them a very fortunate happenstance. And before the day was out alligators were put on the back-burner and Bill Basil had arrived in Vermilion, Ohio.
On the 28th of May in 1986 Bill died in the Old Soldiers and Sailors Home in Sandusky, Ohio. A full life was behind him. He had married the bosses' daughter, Ella. Together they had run the newspaper and printshop, raised a family of 8 children, and watched their grandchildren play in the yard of their home on Perry Street.
It surely was a good life. And he never forgot the clambakes at Old Orchard Beach; the cool spring that once ran through the fruit cellar of the family home in Maine; the Portland master printer who taught him the trade as a youngster; the desolation of the Argonne Forest during "the War to end all Wars"; nor did he ever forget the near adventure that led him some 67 years earlier to the little town in Ohio where he finally made his home - Vermilion.
Actual "Dedicatory Program" booklet from 1927
BY THOUSANDS WE SHALL THRONG...: From Ruthie (Bauman) Tanner comes this pristine copy of the "Dedicatory Program of the Vermilion High School" from October 7th and 8th in 1927. It was contained in the copy of the Vermilion Annual "Hi-Times" of the same year.
VHS Class of 1927:
Elsie Harris, Fredrick Hasenflue, Helen Hite, Harold Harber, Kathryn Kuhl, Bill Martinek, Virginia Krantz, Wesley Zorn, Dorothy Krapp, Almon Knittle, Thelma Bentley, Nina Blattner, Floyd Englebry, Margaret Becker, Ora Crum, Dorothy Kuhl, Irma Rothgery, Warren Mehnert, Mabel Neiding, Irmien Rossman, Martha Trinter, Bill Gergel, Edith Taylor, Edward Troxel, and Mayme Stipanovitch.
The service contained a rather lengthy Responsive Reading for the Public, School Officials, Principals, Teachers, and Pupils. The first two readings are quite interesting (and perhaps somewhat prophetic):
The City saith -
I have builded my children an
house
Fair rise its walls
And its doors stand open to all
Strength and truth are its
foundation
Beauty and order enfold it
about.
Response -
Unto thy house we come and
into its gates with rejoicing
Today and tomorrow and to-
morrow,
Down the long years we are
trooping,
The dew of morning on our
brows, the light of joy upon
our faces.
By thousands we shall throng
these halls, by thousands
drink here of the fountain
of knowledge.
There were a good number of speakers during the Friday and Saturday afternoon dedicatory ceremonies. The Vermilion High School Orchestra and the Sandusky High School Band provided music, and an informal tea / reception was held in the Home Economics Dining Room with the girls of the "Domestic Sciences Classes" acting as hotesses. On Saturday afternoon the VHS football team played a dedicatory game with the "Lightweight Team" from Lorain High School.
Vermilion Mayor, H.R."Squire" Williams was among the dignitaries in attendance. Members of the Vermilion Board of Education at the time were:
A.G. Summerell, President
Mrs. Bertha White, Vice President
George Naegele
Mrs. Margaret Parsons
C.A. Trinter, Clerk
The color of the photo copy of the cover of the pamphlet was corrected to illustrate the original because the paper has a tendency to yellow in time. It, as well as the "Hi-Times" booklet in which it was contained were printed by W.B. Tarrant at the Vermilion News printshop.
And, thus, by thousands did we "throng" down the halls of this building. And, thus, by thousands do we continue...
HELFRICH'S / MCGARVEY'S: This is an unusual picture of the Helfrich Restaurant along the Vermilion River. Tis unusual because there are very few pix of the restaurant taken from this particular angle (looking northwest down the Vermilion River from the proximity of the river bridge), and also because it is a snapshot photo. It is also one of those "things' that was sitting in someone's closet for years waiting to be rediscovered. (In this case the pic belonged to Vermilionite John Trinter.)
Charle McGarvey bought the restaurant sometime in 1938. However; the name (at least on the outside of the cafe) wasn't immediately changed to reflect his ownership. Ergo; the photo is really hard to date.
What I note is that most folks are so enamored by the "McGarvey" name and reputation (even after McGarvey no longer owned nor operated the place) that the Helfrich name - the founders of the restaurant - has been nearly forgotten.
It's rather interesting to note that the buiding pictured was actually the same building that was eventually razed to make way for the "Red Clay on the River" and the Vermilion Port Authorities very attractive "McGarvey's Landing". Although it had been renovated a good number of times over the years (constant flooding made this altogether necessary) it was always the very same building.
This pic is a real keeper for Vermilion history fans.
Podcasts - "forever under construction..."
"A snippet from the clippet..."
PODCAST #79: This week the Vermilion Views Podcast #79 offers further readings from Betty Trinter's book "The Way It Was" 1917 - 1919 along with some historical pix to facilitate the reading."
Also note that this is an "MP4" podcast done in the "Quicktime" format.
Stay with me on this project. Things will get better. (I pro-mize.)
NOTE NOTE:Past podcasts are no longer available in the on-line archive. They just take up too much disk space. But if one really, really, really wants to acquire a copy of a past cast it can be had by contacting moi - and I will place it on a disc and send it to ye for a minimal fee.
LOCAL ANNOUNCEMENTS: Looking for the latest information about VHS Class Reunions, The Vermilion Area Archival Society, Eden Valley Enterprises events, and Hope Home in Kenya. Follow the link to the Vermilion Locals page. Something new (mit a few new pix added) for your enjoyment. Always
Incidentally, "Viewer" Larry Hohler who is a big part of the Hope Home in Kenya wants folks to know that the children they are assisting are safe - midst the turmoil raging around them in that country. Methinks all "Viewers" should take a good look (go to the links section of "Views" for a virtual tour) at how the project really, really helps underprivileged children in this 3rd world nation. It is sincerely a worthwhile effort. And if ye can spare a few bucks it can certainly go a long way.
The Beat Goes On: The page is generated by the dreaded Macintosh Computer and is written and designed by (me) Rich Tarrant. It will change weekly ~ usually on Saturday. Bookmark the URL (Universal Resource Locater) and come back at your own leisure. Send the page to your friends (and enemies if you wish). If you have something to share with those who visit this page, pass it on. And if you see something that
is in need of correction do the same. My sister, Nancy, is a great help in that respect. It only takes me a week to get things right. And follow the links. You might find something you like. If you experience a problem with them let me know. Also, if you want to see past editions of this eZine check the new archives links below.
If you're looking for my old links section (pictured) I've replaced it with a pull-down menu (visible in the small box next to the word "Go"). If you're looking for links to more Vermilion history check that menu.
How the old links menu looked
For Persons who would like to donate to the cause (to keep these "Views" on-line you can send whatever you would like to me at the following address. And THANKS to everybody who has already donated to the cause. I doth certainly appreciate it):
Rich Tarrant
1041 Oakwood Drive
Vermilion, Ohio
44089
Telephone: 440-967-0988 - Cell: 440-522-4459
"Never complain about the weather... Whimper, but don't complain."-Snoopy
Vol.6, Issue 12, June 7, 2008
© 2008 Rich Tarrant