Governor facing new pressure to veto HB 231

Ohio Governor John Kasich is facing mounting pressure to veto a bill that would allow factories to withdraw far more water from Lake Erie than currently allowed. I hope he does.

The bill in question, HB 231, which I discussed in a recent post (Sad times ahead for Lake Erie), was intended to bring the state into alignment with the Great Lakes Compact. It passed the Republican-led state Legislature last month over the objections of two former Ohio governors and a former state natural resources director, as well those of newspapers across the state and a network of environmental organizations. Governors of the states of New York and Michigan are also expressing concern about the potential impact of HB 231. Kasich spokesman Rob Nichols said a decision will be announced today.

How Ohio's new governor handles this situation will tell us a lot about not only his future style of governance but also the way he views Lake Erie issues. Will he simply rubber stamp his legislative colleague's work and sign the bill? Or will he veto it and tell them to go back to the drawing board?

When he gave his brief remarks Monday in Port Clinton on the occasion of Fish Ohio Day, the governor came off as ill-informed about critical issues facing the lake. Or maybe he was just disinterested.

We'll see what happens today.

A Salute to Matthews Boats

1959 Matthews 42 Sedan Cruiser

There's nothing like a wood boat. Fiberglass and aluminum may be easier to build and maintain, but they don't come close to wood in terms of ride and aesthetics -- there are few things prettier in this world than a wood boat. A quality wood boat, if properly cared for, will hold its resale value and provide its owner with a lifetime of fond memories.

If you want to see a sampling of some of the finest wood boats ever made, come to the Port Clinton Yacht Club today where owners of boats by the legendary boat builder Scott Matthews will gather with their boats for the annual rendezvous of the Matthews Boat Owners Association Great Lakes Chapter. Members of the public will be able to view, photograph, and board the boats.

The Matthews Boat Company built quality wood (and in its last few years, fiberglass) boats from 1898 until 1974. The company was founded by Scott Matthews at his home in Bascom, Ohio. The company moved to Port Clinton in 1907.

One of my fondest teenage memories is of the tour I received of the Matthews company boat yard in Port Clinton in the mid-1960s. Within the confines of a huge building there were three boats in various states of production, all forty and fifty footers. At the dock there was a 42-footer, fitted out and ready for delivery. She sported twin 300+ horsepower Chrysler engines. Her decks and trim were teak, all beautifully finished. She sported a reel-to-reel tape deck, as ordered by the buyer. She was a thing of beauty lazily floating there at the dock.

Credit goes to the Matthews Boat Owners Association Great Lakes Chapter for the following history:

In 1890, an era of experiments on the "new" gasoline-powered engine and on sail and naptha-powered boats, the Matthews Boat Company was founded by Scott J. Matthews in the basement of his home in Bascom, Ohio. His venture quickly expanded to boat building at his father's sawmill, where, in 1898, he entered into an agreement with The Lozier Company in which Matthews built boats ranging from 16' launches to 45' cabin cruisers, all marketed under the Lozier name and shipped or run on their own bottoms to Plattsburgh, New York, where Lozier installed their engines. Lozier never built a boat-they were all Matthews built. By 1904, this arrangement ceased when Lozier turned to automobile engines. Bascom-built Matthews boats included the first Gold Cup Race winner, "Standard", an auto-boat marketed under the Lozier name; and "Onward", a 74' double ender that carried the Matthews family over 9,000 miles from Peoria, Illinois, down the Mississippi River, into the Gulf, around Florida, up the East Coast, and through the Erie Canal back to Ohio.

Matthews' endeavors were so successful that by 1906 he moved his company, at the invitation and with the financial support of the local businessmen, to Port Clinton, Ohio, where there was deep-water and East Coast access necessary to the building and marketing of larger boats. The company, now called The Matthews Company, continued to prosper, building nothing but quality boats that became world-renowned. In 1909, Matthews received a government contract to build utility boats for the U.S. Army; "Mahapa", an 85' cruiser, was built in 1910 for H. A. Parsons of Cleveland. In 1912, W. E. Scripps, Commodore of the Detroit Motor boat Club and President of Scripps Motor Company, contracted with Matthews for a 35' LOA, 10' beam vessel capable of crossing the Atlantic under gasoline power. The boat was an over-sized lifeboat, called a "trans-Atlantic liner" by Rudder, 1912. Captained by Thomas Fleming Day, editor of Rudder, the "Detroit" ran to New Rochelle, New York, where she began the cruise that would carry her over 4,000 miles in 21 days to Ireland, thence to St. Petersburg, Russia. Powered with a 16 horse Scripps engine and carrying a crew of three, she was the smallest gasoline powered vessel to cross the Atlantic.

The Ringling brothers of circus fame were frequent clients of Matthews, purchasing 6 different boats. Charles E. Ringling contracted for a special shallow draft 50' day cruiser to be used in Sarasota, Florida, in 1912. In 1913, Matthews built the 110' "Aeldgytha", the first all-American diesel-powered yacht. She was designed by John Wells and was the largest pleasure boat ever to be built by Matthews. "Marold", a 100' cruiser, America's highest powered yacht, was built in 1914 with 900 horse power engines that gave a cruising speed of 30 knots. In 1915, Matthews diversified. Unable to locate electric specialties for boats, Scott J. Matthews developed his own electric power capstan, automatic lighting and power plant, electric
pump, and hoists.

By 1916, Matthews changed its name from The Matthews Boat Company to The Matthews Company, expanded, and was a successful bidder for government contracts for World War I. The company built 110' sub chasers in 1917 and built a new shop to house 5 of these vessels at one time. Matthews also built airplane hulls during World War I, delivering them without wings to the East Coast. Following World War I, an economic depression forced Matthews to again diversify. The company manufactured towel racks, meat cutters, and talking machine cabinets in order to retain the men on the payroll. Although the 60' "Whitecap" was built in 1919, the plant had so little work it closed its manufacturing operations in August of that year. Scott Matthews invented the Ker-O-El, a lighting plant used primarily on farms, and a rope "chain" for car tires to prevent skidding during winter. These innovations provided work for the Matthews employees until 1922 when boat manufacturing once again was undertaken.

The company was successful with individual, business, and government contracts, building 50' passenger boats for an amusement park, rum chasers (speedboats) for the U.S. Government, and the 95' cruiser "Oswichee" for Mr. Joseph Williams of Cleveland. In spite of active business, Scott J. Matthews was concerned that economic slumps would again affect steady employment for his men. In 1924 he introduced a 38' "special", the first stock built boat in the industry. Past work had been entirely by individual contract and design; the new Matthews "38" would be standardized, allowing him to keep his employees busy during slack periods and preventing layoffs. The last custom boat ever built was the 99' "Irwin", completed in 1925, and delivered by water to its New York City owner. The stock built line included a 46 foot introduced in 1926, a 32' speed cruiser in 1928, and a 25' sailboat in 1934. By 1942, Matthews had again turned to war production, primarily building 36' and 38' landing crafts. Matthews 38's were built for patrol boats, many under the Lend-Lease Plan.

Matthews celebrated its 60th anniversary in 1950 and introduced the first modern-day double cabin in 1951, a 42' flying bridge model. Scott J. Matthews, now in advanced years, turned much of the plant operation over to his oldest son, Carl, who became President when the elder Matthews passed away in 1956. Carl introduced the first flush-deck double cabin in 1962. However by 1962, the two sons and two daughters of Scott J. Matthews were approaching retirement age; the sale of the company to Charles Hutchinson in October, 1964, was a family decision. Hutchinson celebrated Matthews' Golden Jubilee in 1965. By 1969, he had contracted with Halmatic of England to build 46' fiberglass hulls that were nearly identical in weight, appearance, dimensions, and performance to the Matthews 45' wooden hull. Halmatic hulls were shipped to Port Clinton where cabins, bridges, and interiors were built. The only fiberglass Matthews hull was the 56, first produced in 1971 in what was then the world's largest rotating mold. The 56 was available in several designs, including motor yacht, trawler, yacht fish, flush-deck double cabin, and s port fish. Production and sales decreased steadily in the early 1970's. The company closed its doors in December 1974, declaring bankruptcy six months later.

The legend lives on.

Governor says he's 100% committed to Lake Erie; so far his actions show otherwise

Gov. John Kasich pledged that he is “completely, totally, 100 percent committed” to Lake Erie and that he wants to see the lake and its attributes promoted aggressively, the Toledo Blade reports.
The governor's remarks about the lake came on Monday in Port Clinton where he was on hand for the 33rd annual Fish Ohio Day. In the morning, fifteen charter boats fanned out into Lake Erie, each with six anglers on board, guests of the Lake Erie Charter Boat Association. But these were no ordinary fishermen; they were public officials, being treated to a genuine lake fishing experience, while the fisherman got a rare opportunity to promote sports fishing in Lake Erie.
“What we have here is just magnificent,” Kasich said, in what the Blade characterized as a "somewhat disjointed" address during his short visit. He said some of the right things. He stressed the need to step up promotion of Ohio tourism and take commercial advantage of the lake. At one point, according to the Blade, he even said that the state “never has taken good advantage of this lake.”
We're not sure what the governor meant by that exactly. He is poised to sign House Bill 231, which would allow companies to remove five million gallons of water from the lake with zero oversight. If that what he means by "good advantage," the lake is in for a rough ride.
The governor made brief reference to two critical issues facing Lake Erie right now, the threat of Asian carp, which are poised to enter Lake Michigan, with Erie not far behind, and "dumping and dredging" being carried out by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers of the Toledo harbor  and other commercial waterways, which threatens to increase the already disastrous algae bloom on the lake.
Kasich said it is “a high, high priority” to maximize commercialization of business on Lake Erie, citing among other things tax credits for small businesses dealing with fisheries. In the same breath, according to the Blade, he took credit for “plugging an $8 billion hole [in the state budget] without tax increases,” thanks also to his “partners in the Legislature.”
After the governor's address, Rick Unger, LECBA president, was skeptical. “He thinks solutions are happening, and I don’t see solutions happening.”
Fish Ohio Day is sponsored by the Ohio Division of Wildlife and its parent Department of Natural Resources, LECBA, whose skippers donate boats and guidance, the Ohio tourism agency, and Lake Erie Shores & Islands.

Pic of the Week - Sunset Ski

Marblehead Lighthouse open again for tours

I was happy to read in this Port Clinton News Herald story that the venerable Marblehead Lighthouse has reopened after being closed when cracks were discovered. After an inspection from top to bottom, however, engineers declared that the cracks were cosmetic only and the lighthouse should stand for at least another hundred years.

This is good news for everyone. The light at Marblehead is the oldest operating light on the Great Lakes and and just a cool place to go. The waves roll in from the northeast uninterrupted for almost 200 miles. It's a great spot to watch the big freighters to come up the lake from parts east, headed for Marblehead or Sandusky. It's also a popular wedding spot. My niece and nephew were both married there (not to each other, in case you were wondering.).

And it's also a great place to just sit and think. We could all do a little more of that.

Sad times ahead for Lake Erie

It hasn't been a good week for Lake Erie. The Ohio legislature just passed, and Governor John Kasich is about to sign, House Bill 231, which was supposed to bring the state into compliance with the federal law known as the Great Lakes Compact. But some say the law will do exactly the opposite and two former Ohio governors, both republicans, spoke out against the bill, saying it could harm Lake Erie by allowing companies to draw too much water from the lake without any oversight.

The bill would require a permit only if the operator in question drew more than 5 million gallons of water a day from the lake, more than 2 million from rivers or groundwater, or more than 300,000 from designated "high quality streams." It would give Ohio the dubious distinction of have the most generous water-use regulation of any state in the compact.

Former Governor George Voinovich said the bill prevents the state's natural resources department from using scientific standards to determine if increased water usage has a harmful impact. He urged lawmakers to add protections "to ensure that this resource is available for future generations." Lawmakers ignored him.   After all, future generations don't fund the next election, do they?

Sam Speck, a former Republican state legislator who also headed up the Ohio Department of Natural Resources from 1999 to 2006, said the changes would give Ohio "the weakest water supply protection of all of the Great Lakes states." In a letter to Senate members, Speck named at least six areas in which the Ohio law would violate the compact.

The bill's primary sponsor, Republican Lynn Wachtmann, accused those who raised concerns about damage to Lake Erie of "fear mongering." Wachtmann owns a water bottling company and sits on the board of Culligan.

There was time in this state when, on critical issues like this, when it really counted, politics would get left at the door and the good of the state was all that mattered. Sanity ultimately prevailed.

But that was then, this is now. Now it's about doing the most for your friends who helped get you elected.

Sanity has left the building.

65 years ago today - Port Clinton's unforgettable fireworks display

Thursday, July 4th, 1946. It was a near-perfect day on Lake Erie, much like it is today. On this post-war holiday, vacationers filled the beaches and roads around Port Clinton, Ohio, the center of one of the midwest's premier vacation spots. The Convict Ship Success, which had been a local topic of conversation - and gossip - since being brought here the previous August, lay almost unnoticed offshore as the holiday revelers focused on swimming, picnics, fishing, and other activities. Holiday vehicle traffic was heavy.

Sometime in the late afternoon (no one knows exactly when), someone glanced out from shore and noticed a column of dark smoke rising up from somewhere near the center of the grounded ship. As more and more onlookers took notice, the beginnings of a fire took hold and began to lick at the dry wood and in a fairly short time the read third of the vessel was fully ablaze. Like moths to a flame, boat large and small were pulled to the scene and began circling. A number of people on shore who had boats rushed to them so they could witness the fire up close. Some grabbed still or movie cameras to document what was was happening. And not only boats: At least one airplane did a flyover to check out the scene.

On shore, meanwhile, traffic was jammed along nearby roads as motorists stopped to watch the blaze, finding any place they could to pull over. And what a show it was, as the conflagration gradually consumed the entire vessel. The heat was intense, fanned by a stiff evening breeze. As Port Clinton had no fire boats, no attempt was made to put out the blaze.

The fire continued on into the night. No one knows exactly how long it took but, before it ended, the famous old ship had burned to the waterline, nothing rising above the lake's surface more than a foot or so save for a blackened section of the middle mast.

The water was sprinkled with debris from the ship, which washed ashore for days afterward. Local residents, eager for a souvenir, scoured the beaches for anything they could find, and many a local garage, attic, or curio box still contains a charred piece of wood from the ship. It was well known that the ship had been built of teak, so even a small chunk of the prized wood was considered a lucky find. Many of these pieces were cut or carved into souvenirs. (I own a letter opener that someone had whittled from a piece of teak.)

After the fire there were many rumors circulating about the cause of the fire. There was no question that it had been arson. The only question was, who had done it? The most obvious theory was that it had been local youths acting on a dare or as a holiday prank. But others suggested a more sinister motive; that the ship's owner, Walter Kolbe, had had someone destroy the ship, supposedly because he was catching heat from the local coast guard. Some years ago I attempted to verify this but was informed by the coast guard that records from that era were no longer kept. So unless someone steps forward to reveal some personal knowledge of what happened that day, we will likely never know. I for one would like to have a conversation with that person.

Of course, it would be just between us.

(This article has been cross-posted from my sister blog: A Century at Sea.)