Captain Henry was said to have been one of the best divers Bayfield, Wisconsin had ever seen.
So, it was no surprise when he was later said to be the best ship captain, too. He often joked
that he even found his ship during one of his many dives. He and his crew had been sailing for
years, and he knew the ebb and flow of Lake Superior like the back of his hand. However, this
evening was different from any other Captain Henry had ever seen. The sun had already
dropped below the horizon and the last remnants of daylight were fading. He squinted his eyes
as he peered into the distance, watching the looming clouds grow darker.
He pushed his hat higher on his head and said, “Looks like a big storm is headed this way, and
it’s coming in fast.”
Suddenly, lightning slashed across the sky in a bright white zigzag. A sailor nearby cried out in
surprise when thunder boomed just seconds later. The wind picked up and would’ve blown the
captain’s hat off had he not clapped his hand down just in time. The water was getting rougher
by the minute, and the ship’s wheel began to spin on its own. Captain Henry channeled all his
strength into the steering wheel, trying desperately to regain control of the ship. The mammoth
waves crashed onto and over the boat, filling the deck with angry water. Captain Henry yelled
to the crew to scoop out the water that was weighing down the ship, but the sailors could not
work any faster.
"We’re sinking! We’re sinking!" they shouted.
Captain Henry looked down at the deck and realized the water was already up to his shins. He
knew they were in trouble and would have to abandon the ship. With little time to spare, he
grabbed the radio and made an urgent call for help to his older brother Luke. Coincidently,
Luke was also the strongest, bravest, and most dedicated Coast Guardsman in Bayfield.
Captain Henry had relied on him all his life, and Luke was more of a father figure than a
brother. From cuts and scrapes to broken bones, Luke had always been there for him. Captain
Henry hoisted a bucket of water over the side of the ship, doing his best to buy them some
time.
“Come on, Luke,” he said under his breath. “Hurry.”
With Lake Superior just north of Bayfield, he hoped Luke would rescue them soon. Another
crack of lightning lit the night sky, and an enormous wave slammed into the side of the ship.
Captain Henry fell over, grabbing the rail to steady himself. The storm was getting worse,
rocking the boat from side to side with each powerful wave. He desperately flashed the
emergency lights so his brother could find him.
“There!” a sailor shouted from behind him. Almost immediately, Captain Henry saw it, too. A
boat was cutting through the waves toward them, flashing its lights and tooting its horn. It
was Luke! He threw a rope to Captain Henry’s crew and quickly pulled them to safety.
“Your turn, little brother!” Luke shouted above the storm.
Once Captain Henry was sure that all his sailors were safe, he snatched the rope and boarded
the rescue boat. Luke pulled him aboard, swirling a blanket around his soaked shoulders.
Captain Henry gave him a brief but meaningful hug before turning his attention back to his
sinking vessel.
They stood there for a moment without speaking, as they watched Captain Henry’s beloved
boat sink into Lake Superior. The wind and waves were finally dying down, as if the storm was
now content with its prize.
“I really loved that ship,” said Captain Henry sadly.
Luke squeezed his brother’s shoulder and leaned over the rail, peering into the darkness of the
lake.
“Well,” he said. “Tomorrow should be a good day for a dive. After all,” he smiled. “You fished
that ship out once…you can do it again.” Luke winked at his brother, and they both smiled as
they headed back to shore, relieved that everyone was safe