We’ve had one of the longest fall seasons in recent memory and are still enjoying the sight of many leaves on the trees, especially in those places closest to the water.
These late fall days truly feel like a gift! As one of our favorite seasons, it never seems to last long enough.
Contrast the two photos, both taken on November 9. On the left, 2021 and on the right, 2018. This is not to say we don’t like winter, but instead are happy with the current weather conditions.
It has been 81 years since the “Big Blow of 1940”, the Armistice Day Storm of November 11, 1940. Not being a historian, I won’t delve into all the ramifications of the storm (you can find a synopsis of it at https://www.weather.gov/dvn/armistice_day_blizzard), instead, we’ll share excerpts of a story written by Jack Herschberger, Ann’s father, on his experience here on Washington Island.
The Big Blow of 1940 – November 11 & 12
“This is the story of the big blow up here at the old Island this week. Monday was a rainy, cloudy day with occasional hard rain squalls from the east and southeast. The barometer fell to a new low – practically the bottom – during the afternoon. At 3:30 pm I tied up my boat, the Spendrift (a 25′ wooden boat with a Straubel engine) to ride out the storm. At 5:15 the wind was blowing about 50mph and the water had come up about 3 1/2′ on the level. The seas at the end of the dock were 4′ high and the dock planks were off. The slip was filled with debris. By 7pm, it was still blowing a gale and the temperature had dropped to 25 and snowing hard. I sat up drinking coffee until 1 in the morning, but the wind howled on and on, and the temperature dropped to 15. Said a few prayers for the old boat as I could still see her mast swinging, and went to bed. The wind continued to howl through the night. The snow drifted in through all the windows in the south and west sides. Thoughts of the boat, the house and the bed shaking kept me awake about all night.”
“Got up at 5:30 am. Still blowing a gale out of the southwest with snow and very cold. It was just starting to get light enough to see, but I was so sure the boat was a wreck I didn’t look out, but cooked breakfast and finally looked to see where she was. The Spendrift was still up – still afloat but in bad shape. How the scene had changed since the night before. The dock and boat were covered with from six inches to a foot of ice, and the ground with snow. The harbor was the color of thick clay and a nasty sea was still coming in over the stern. The layer of ice on the rear deck was a foot thick, the steering wheel and the back of the cabin were coated about 8 inches, and the back stay on the mast was a foot or more in diameter. The spray felt like gravel on your face as it hit.“
“Taking a ride around the Island, trees were down by the hundreds. I saw three trees on houses and a couple did some damage. Telephone lines were down. The ferry didn’t go over at all and I heard the Bell Buoy was going all the way down under with the seas that were running outside.“
The Spendrift in calm waters 
After the storm
From the wild weather events of November 1940 to the quiet calm of early November 2021.
The last, best view of fall on Washington Island.
Detroit Harbor Road
It may be November, but we’ll soon start preparing for 2022 and a different season, the 44th season of Sievers classes!
Looking forward to next summer and our return to Washington Island and a wonderful class at Sievers!
Thanks for the lovely fall picture and the story about the storm.
Janet and Joe
Thanks, Janet! We’ll also look forward to seeing the two of you in 2022! Carolyn
Carolyn, Ann and Cindra: How kind you are to have shared such simply lovely photos of this particular fall on the island. And then of course, there is the sharing of the Big Blow story. Amazing to consider the island during and immediately following that storm. Congratulations on the completion of your 43rd season. I’ll be looking forward to hearing about the 44th and to Carolyn’s lovely photos. Maybe I’ll even see you again in person.
As always, my very best to you all. Mary Dow
Thanks, Mary! We love hearing from you and sharing our Island and Sievers news. We’d love to see you again! Hard to believe we’re up to 44 years. Thanks for being part of it all! Carolyn
When I moved to Minnesota in 1970, many of the people I worked with still spoke about the “Armistice Day Blizzard.” It was so interesting to see this first hand account.
And down here in Illinois, many leaves are still green.
Hi Carla, I’d read something about the duck hunters who went out in the balmy start of the day and ended up caught in the freezing conditions. Our November 11 this year was somewhat windy and rainy, so most of those last leaves are down. Take care, Carolyn
Carolyn – Your photos and commentary are always so perfect in describing the island…..even all those years ago. My husband and I are octogenarians but were so little way back in 1940 that we don’t remember the terrible Armistice Day Blizzard. Our parents told us how frightened they were and how many days it took to dig out from that terrible event. We loved the story that Ann’s father left for us to visualize. Our visits to the island have always been in the beautiful summer, the exact opposite of that blizzard.
Thanks for all you do to connect us to one of our favorite places on earth, Washington Island!
Thanks Karen, for sharing remembrances of that day in 1940. Weather is always a big topic on the Island, probably because it’s not only so changeable, but depending on the direction of the wind and how it affects the water around us, has such different consequences. Hello from everyone here at Sievers, Carolyn
Carolyn, what an incredible story. I could visually picture it in my mind! It has been a beautiful fall and love the pictures of the island. Thank you so much for sharing!
Thank you, Karen! It’s fun to make story and photo connections…Sievers-wise and Island-wise. Have a wonderful Thanksgiving! Carolyn
Carolyn your pictures are beautiful as always! The story was so interesting……I’ve never heard of it, but could feel the fear and maybe terror of living through it.
Thanks to Cindra for accommodating my little shopping trip Tuesday! Have the yarn on needles and plan to get all my gifts from Siever’s wrapped soon.
Thank you, Peg. Weather events are always big topics of Island conversations. The storm also affected Islanders in other locations, primarily those who sailed on the Great Lakes cargo ships at that time. There were some close calls. Thanks for stopping out and I’m sure the yarn is wonderful to work with! Happy Thanksgiving from all of us, Carolyn