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From: PMCARFERRIES@EARTHLINK.NET
Category: Shipwreck Research
Date: 10 Nov 2005
Time: 20:46:02
Remote Name: 4.252.157.43
Hi Dave,
Thank you for the offer of the information, but I have all of what you describe. I sincerely appreciate your generosity. Regarding the oiling frequency of the shaft bearings - that is a good question. Since modern vessels are lubricated automatically, I'll have to talk with someone who worked on one of the old Robert Logan-designed car ferries. I'll let you know my findings. As for navigational courses in a given sea condition - this was left to the discretion of the captain. Car ferry captains were notorious for sailing in most weather conditions and often prided themselves in maintaining their schedules. Consequently courses were altered slightly or not at all in many instances. Captain Charles Robertson was known as Stormy Charlie and Rolling Charlie and Captain Bob McKay was known as Heavy Weather McKay and Bad Weather Bob. What course PM 18's Captain Kilty steered downbound toward Milwaukee is anyone's guess, because I've heard several different accounts. His course corrections are suspect as well when he made his turn toward Wisconsin once the water was discovered in the after compartmnts. Unfortunately, dead men are poor witnesses, no disrespect intended for these heroic officers and crew.
With kindest regards,
Art Chavez Milwaukee