A great story about a rescued stern-steerer, via Chris Wolford:
I want to thank you and the contributors to the Hudson River Ice Yacht Club for publishing the recent articles on old ice yachts. It is fascinating to read about the races held as far back as 1898 and learn about the men who built these majestic ice yachts. Although there was ice yacht racing in Erie, PA, around that time, there were only a handful of boats, and they are long gone. Ice conditions like you have in Wisconsin are uncommon on Presque Isle Bay, so sailors here get frustrated, mostly because of the amount of snow we get, and the old boats end up in barn rafters and garages. But not all of them.
In the spring of 1986, while rummaging around the basement of the Erie Yacht Club (EYC), in a dark and musty corner, I noticed a couple of long planks leaning against the wall. I was curious, so I took a look and found that it was an old ice yacht. On the backbone was a plaque that read SNIPE, built for Annie Scott Strong in 1900. The car was badly damaged from years of neglect, and the backbone had a bit of rot. I couldn’t just leave it there, so I found the owner and convinced him to sell it to me. I bought it for the outstanding storage charge of $60.
Two iceboating buddies and I spent Monday nights for a year bringing her back to life. We sanded off red paint and found green and, finally, the beautiful wood grain. The runner plank, a little over 6″ thick, still had bark on it. Wrapped in an old sail, the spars and standing rigging were stuffed into the rafters. They were in decent condition, and we were surprised to find a dozen hand-forged brass blocks. We spent about $2000 rebuilding her and replacing the sails. The following winter, we proudly put SNIPE on the ice and renamed her BLACK ICE.  We sailed her for 35 years on Presque Isle Bay and made great memories for many people young and old.
In 2018, we were frustrated that we either had no ice or our seasons were so short that it was hardly worth getting her on the ice. And now, in our mid-60s, BLACK ICE started getting heavier. We decided to find a better home for her than the EYC basement, so we approached the Erie Maritime Museum to see if they were interested. The curator was thrilled, and we submitted paperwork to the Commonwealth of PA Museum Commission for approval.
While we waited, we did some research and learned that the yacht was built in the Hudson River Valley and brought here by rail in 1900. She was a birthday present for Annie Scott Strong from her husband, Charles. He was a prosperous businessman, an iron & coal magnate, and a railroad president. Annie’s father was also a railroad tycoon, the Mayor of Erie in 1866, and later served as a U.S. Congressman. We have no idea how long Annie sailed SNIPE, but we believe the boat sat outside for some years in the 1930s and then had several owners before us.
The Museum Commission unanimously approved accepting our gift. On April 26, 2023, BLACK ICE was displayed at the museum at a reception attended by 60 people. Many pictures and a rolling video are included in the display. It’s hard to say how long she will be on display, but we are told that the plan is at least 5 years because of its popularity. When eventually stored, BLACK ICE will be in good company amongst the spars of the tall ship U.S.S. Brig NIAGRA.
Does it get any more Wisconsin than this? Ice sailing, maritime history, a Green Bay Packers connection, and a cocktail named in honor of the Skeeter class?
Mike Peters and I will be presenting a program for their Think & Drink series on ice sailing at the Wisconsin Maritime Museum on Thursday, January 2nd at 6:30 pm. I’ll be joining via Zoom, and Mike will be there in person at the museum to share the history of ice sailing in Wisconsin.
The event is free and will be available both in-person and virtually. The featured drink of the night will be a Skeeter, a vodka cocktail named after the fastest iceboat in the world. Doors and the bar open at 6:00 pm, and the program begins at 6:30 pm.
This presentation is part of the Ice Boating: A Wisconsin Tradition exhibit at the Wisconsin Maritime Museum, which is on display from December 2024 through September 2025. The exhibit traces the history of ice boating in Wisconsin, spanning over 100 years, and showcases the evolution of iceboats and the culture surrounding the sport.
This program is made possible in part by a grant from the Green Bay Packers Foundation. For more info, check out the museum’s website.
Hope to see you there, whether in person or online!
WHAT TO KNOW Date & Time: Thursday, January 2nd, 6:30 pm (doors and bar open at 6:00 pm) Location: Wisconsin Maritime Museum, 75 Maritime Dr., Manitowoc, WI Cost: Free (both in-person and virtual) Virtual Access: Register here to attend via Zoom: Event Registration Link
UPDATE: The Wisconsin Maritime Museum has unveiled a signature drink for their Think and Drink presentation—a twist on the classic Sidecar, featuring vodka and blue curaçao. The Skeeter
2 oz vodka
1 oz blue curaçao
1 oz fresh lemon juice
1/2 oz simple syrup (optional, for a hint of sweetness)
Lemon twist or orange slice for garnish
Instructions:
Fill a cocktail shaker with ice.
Add vodka, blue curaçao, lemon juice, and simple syrup (if desired).
Shake well until chilled.
Strain into a chilled coupe glass.
Garnish with a lemon twist or orange slice.
Firs of all, welcome to all ice sailors competing in the 2023 E Scow Nationals on Lake Mendota. The MARY B appears ready to lift off at Marshall Park in Madison, WI, where she’s on display along with the famous Class A Skeeter INSANITY. The Mendota Yacht Club is hosting the 2023 E Scow Nationals 100 Year Celebration. The racing begins today. As of this morning, just a few boats shy of the 130 boat record from the 1999 E Scow Invitationals on Mendota are registered and will race in one line. Event website here.
Recently, Tim Bellerd from Wayfarer Boatworks in Ferrysburg, Michigan, organized an open house event where he showcased his Renegade boat. The windy weather kept the sail from being raised. If you are in the western Michigan area and are interested in building or repairing an iceboat, contact Tim.
Ritz the puppy is intrigued by the MARY B being assembled.
In addition to the autumn colors, apples, and pumpkins, fall in Four Lakes means setting up your iceboat to make sure everything fits. The MARY B group set her up in a Westport field on Saturday.. Daniel Hearn also took advantage of the beautiful day and the large area to set up his C Skeeter. If you’d like to see the MARY B, she’ll be up all week. Don Sanford sends the following:
Mary B is waiting for you! Have you ever wanted to get an up-close and personal look at the Mary B but just haven’t felt up to braving the cold and hiking out onto the ice?
Well, here’s your chance. Our volunteers set her up today and now you can even visit from the comfort of your car.
She’s waiting for you in a wide-open field near the intersection of Hwy 113 and County Hwy M.