One hundred five years ago, the “Great Lakes Storm of 1913”, also called the “Big Blow”, “Freshwater Fury”, or the “White Hurricane” grew into a blizzard with 90 mile per hour gusts and sustained winds of 60 miles per hour. This event or “weather bomb’ shattered the Great Lakes Basin from November 7 through November 10, 1913. Twenty ships sank and 21 were beached or heavily damaged. More than 250 people lost their lives. All of this occurred under the watchful eye of the Fort Gratiot Lighthouse which was close to being swept away herself.
On December 15th, 2018, the Port Huron Museum debuted a music video aimed at passionately drawing attention to this storm. In this video, 19-year-old Paige Elizabeth tugs at the heart strings of her listeners. Her emotional voice and haunting demeanor metaphorically represent the soul of the 189-year-old Ft. Gratiot Lighthouse. The lighthouse cries out to those sailors knowing her light may be their last glimmer of hope before they succumb to the hellish conditions of the violent lake. Paige holds her arms out and sings, “Come to the Light” giving hope, warmth and love to those in peril.
You will see a merchant mariner, played by Jim Fisher bid farewell to his dear Michelle before departing on his last voyage. In the aftermath, he walks out of the lake and then ascends to heaven through the base of the Fort Gratiot Lighthouse. Price Smith, the producer/ song writer and Justin Jahn, the director anticipate that this song and video will draw attention to this rich maritime history of Port Huron. Please subscribe, like and share the Price Drew Smith YouTube Channel if you like this video. More songs and videos are forthcoming.
