This post is submitted to Sunday Photo Fiction.

“This ship was made to withstand this type of weather!” Captain McSorley exclaimed. He based his belief because the ship had made over forty voyages in its seventeen years of service taking ore pellets from Superior Wisconsin to the steel mills near Detroit.

First mate Pulcer wasn’t so sure. He had a bad feeling when they left the port at Superior Wisconsin. Leaving this late he knew they could encounter some bad weather. Some of the other 27 crew members shared his belief.

Two days out his nightmare was beginning  to become a reality.

Dawn came and the ship’s cook said “Boy’s it’s too bad out there to feed you mates. Captain reports winds of 35-50 knots and waves 3 meters high.”

Pulcer decided to join the Captain on the bridge. He knew that the captain had chosen the route that took advantage of the protection offered by the lake’s north shore in order to avoid the worst effects of the storm.

“Reduce speed,” said the captain.

“Do respect sir, but with full speed we can reach the safety of Whitefish Bay.”

“Negative First Mate, reduce speed.”

Every year a bell tools 29 times at the Mariners’ Church of Detroit.