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Orrin E. Langford (Story of)
Orrin E. Langford (Story of)
Wiarton Echo Feb 7 1935
Orrin E. Langford died Friday Last
The death of Mr. Orrin Edgar Langford eldest son of Mr. And Mrs. Josiah Langford of this town, occurred at his home here late Friday night following an illness of over the year. He had suffered from a slight stroke two years ago from which he appeared to have almost recovered when he had a second one last year ago last January, and although he was able to be around had for some time been almost invalid. He suffered a third stroke ten days ago, from which he never regained consciousness. The deceased was a member of the St. Paul’s Presbyterian Church and since moving back to his native town five years ago had been in charge of the local dry dock, which had been idle since his illness.
The diseased was a native of Wiarton, having been born here 47 years ago this February 8th. He spent his boyhood days in Wiarton , where he received his education. As a young man he sailed for a few years and later travelled for a firm of threshing machine manufacturers. About 25 years ago he moved to the Manitoulin Island at Gore Bay, where he made his home unit eight years ago, When he went the Buffalo. He was married the second time in Buffalo to Miss Myrtle Parker, of Wiarton, five years ago, just before returning to Wiarton;. Besides his widow , he is survived by his parents; Mr. And Mrs. Josiah Langford of Wiarton ; an only daughter by his first marriage, Mrs. D. Purvis, of Gore Bay; four brothers, Clayton, Regland, Beecher and Gordon, of Wiarton, and one sister , Mrs. Brett Henderson, of Wiarton.
The funeral, which was private was held from his late residence on Bay street on Monday afternoon, and was attended by his brother-in-law, Mr. William Parker and wife from Montreal’ and Miss Bertha Parker, of Detroit; also relatives from Tobermory and intimate friends of the family of this town. The floral tributes from Gore Bay, Montreal, Detroit, Buffalo, and also from his own home town, proved that he was held in very high esteem by his friends. The service was conducted by Rev. J.V. Mills of the St. Paul’s Presbyterian Church and the pall-bearers were; Mr. J. Macaulay, Capt. F. Davis, Mr. Cliff. Burgess, Mr. J. Chapman, Mr. Wm. Hatt and Mr. B. Dobson, after which the interment was made in Bayview Cemetery, Wiarton.
Story Grave of Unknown Sailor
Story Grave of Unknown Sailor
Vol. 110, #33 Wiarton Echo August 16 1989
Loons cry at grave dedication
“The loons cry is often described as haunting and “serie” as the sound echoes across a still lake.
Last Sunday a group of about 50 Oliphant residents and cottagers would certainly agree with those
Descriptions they were gathered at the Balsam Grove Cemetery to dedicate a permanent headstone for an
unknown sailor who was buried in the Cemetery 76 years ago.
The group sang Amazing grace and a prayer had just started when several loons flew overhead. Sandra
Dopp who was at the ceremony said that hearing the cry of the loon at just that time was very strange and
everyone there was affected by it. The grave dedication was for one of three sailors washed up on
Basswood Island off Oliphant following a fierce November storm in 1913. 13 ships were sunk on the
Great Lakes and more than 200 people were killed. Two of the bodies found on the were claimed but
nobody claimed the third man it is believed he might have worked on one of the two Chicago-based ships
wreaked off the Bruce Peninsula. Older residents knew of the unknown sailors but many didn’t so the
cemetery board decided to erect a stone on the grave. Reverend Ted Davy, was saying the final prayer
when the loons cry was heard. “There was something that happened in the last prayer” said cemetery
board members Helen Moore “We were all standing three or four loons flew over. You could just hear
their cries, It was serie almost,”
Mac McKenzie whose father and grandfather brought the storm victims ashore agreed. He said a strange
feeling came over the crowd when they heard the loons. “the loons represents the spirit of the deep” he
said “For it to fly over at that precise time, it was serie.” The November 8 th storm struck like a hurricane
and is still regarded as the worst Great Lakes blow on record. “
Every corner of the Great Lakes was affected by the storm 7-10 of November 1913.
On Lake Huron alone suffered with most loss of 8 ships and about 200 lives lost.
Total of 12 ships were lost while 40 others were damaged.
The Great Storm of 1913 was the single worse Marine disaster on the Great Lakes.
It is unknown at this time if any Wiarton area sailors were lost.
R. Lee 2026
Photo by R. Lee
History of the Wiarton Propeller Club
History of the Wiarton Propeller Club
History of the Wiarton Propeller Club.pdf"Captain Bullwinkle" Returns to Propeller Club After Theft
"Captain Bullwinkle" Returns to Propeller Club After Theft
In February 2014, the Wiarton Propeller Club's beloved painting, known as "Captain Bullwinkle," was anonymously returned to its home after being reported stolen. Joanne Lancaster had reported the theft of the iconic portrait, which had hung in the club for over three decades. The undamaged painting was found at the Chatsworth detachment by Grey County OPP officers and was promptly rehung on the Propeller Club stage wall.
The artwork had a unique history. It was initially accepted by the club in lieu of rent payment in 1982 after an artist who held a sale there didn't make enough money to cover the hall's rental fee. Club president Bill Ainslie had taken a liking to the painting and agreed to return it when the artist could fulfill the rent payment, which unfortunately never happened. Ainslie's wife, Nelda, affectionately nicknamed the painting "Captain Bullwinkle," a playful moniker that endured through the years.
Ross Turner, a member of the Propeller Club since its founding 65 years ago, was thrilled to have the painting back, especially as the club's 65th anniversary was approaching. The club was initially established for Great Lakes sailors living in the area and their wives, known as the Propellerettes. Turner himself had sailed the Great Lakes for 43 years and skippered the famous Maid of the Mist ferry at Niagara Falls for 16 years.
The return of "Captain Bullwinkle" brought joy and relief to the Propeller Club, as the artwork held significant sentimental value for its members and stood as a cherished symbol of their maritime heritage.
65th Anniversary By: Erma Bombeck
65th Anniversary By: Erma Bombeck
65 Years Page Combined.pdfA Sailor's Welcome Home Poem
A Sailor's Welcome Home Poem
A SAILOR'S WELCOME HOME POEM
In an era when sturdy vessels ruled the vast inland seas, a sailor's life was one of constant challenge and adventure. From Thunder Bay to Buffalo, through the ever-changing waters of the Great Lakes, these sailors faced trials and triumphs on each journey.
The ships were their steadfast companions, braving capricious winds and blinding snowstorms as they navigated through Erie, Huron, Superior, and more. The ship's fortune lay below, in its precious cargo, and every trip held the potential for both reward and peril.
One such peril was the tempestuous Huron, its tumultuous waves demanding unwavering attention from the captain. While ships raced through the Soo Locks under the veil of night, the newsboy's arrival was a beacon of hope, bringing letters from home, town papers, and a momentary respite from the challenges of the voyage.
As the ship sped forward, the endless expanse of Superior unfolded, resembling an ocean in its grandeur. Amidst the tossing waves, the sailors found solace in the camaraderie of the western breeze and the joyous welcome awaiting them at journey's end. Those were the days of a sailor's welcome home, where every voyage held a tale of resilience, determination, and the enduring bond between seafarers and the great inland seas.
Composed in 1928 by Captain Carman B. Harrison,
now of Shallow Lake, Ont.
Original Poem Documents by Captain B. Harrison, of Shallow Lake, Ont.
Sailors Welcome Home Poem Page 1.pdfSailors Welcome Home Poem Page 2.pdf 1974 - Burning the Mortgage
1974 - Burning the Mortgage
History of Wiarton and Shipping
History of Wiarton and Shipping
History of Wiarton and Shipping.pdfInteresting Facts about Sailing in the Good Old Day
Interesting Facts about Sailing in the Good Old Day
Interesting facts about sailing in the good old days.pdfReport abuse