HISTORY OF HOW WE ENDED UP WITH THE NAMEBOARD

By Bob Frisbie

-The nameboard is pictured here with Neil Barton former USCG Member, who was on duty that day 45 years ago 2003, Sept. 18th when the Ashtabula Carferry sank in the Ashtabula Harbor!

The Ashtabula Carferry was scrapped in the Ashtabula harbor. The nameboard was undoubtedly removed by someone here in Ashtabula and saved but by whom? How did it get from Ashtabula to a fellow named, “Franz” who is located up in Duluth Minn.? “Franz” was advertising the nameboard on e-bay. Ken Niemi, Reiss Recollections Maritime Museum, Port Huron, Michigan purchased it for trade material. He sometimes collects such items to trade with others for Reiss Brothers Steamship Company items he collects.

Brian Morgan a long time Ashtabula Marine Museum member from Massillon, Ohio was looking for a present this past Christmas for his father. He contacted “Bearco Marine Model Company” located in Madison, Ohio to commission them to build a model for his father. They asked Brian to provide a picture of the lake boat that would show how he wanted it built. Brian didn’t know exactly where to get such an item and was told to contact Ken Niemi. Instead of calling, Brian and his wife Christy being avid boat history people, drove to Port Huron, Michigan. While touring the museum Brian notice the “Ashtabula” nameboard hanging with others on a fence outside. He asked Mr. Niemi if he knew anything about the board. Mr. Niemi said he only had the board to use as trade material. He had tried to research it but was unsuccessful. Brian said he knew of a group that REALLY would probably like to have it. He left saying he would get back to him. Right away he called Bob Frisbie a trustee of the Ashtabula Marine Museum to ask if they would be interested. Bob’s answer was an emphatic “YES”!!!!!!! Brian asked if the museum had anything they would consider trading. After much discussion museum Director Betty Carnegie decided that we had a nameboard that he would really like to have so a trade was proposed to Mr. Niemi via Brain Morgan. Brian contacted Ken but never told him exactly what was being traded. Mr. Niemi agreed to meet Brian at a nautical show in Detroit before Christmas 2003, to turn over the “Ashtabula” nameboard to him. When Brian and Christy handed Ken the nameboard “J L Reiss” he almost cried. Ken felt that the nameboard “Ashtabula” was going “home” but more important to him the “J L Reiss” was too! Ken later told Mr. Frisbie that his father-in-law served as a Mate on the J L Reiss. It’s hull sits across the St. Clair River from Port Huron in Sarnia, Canada. It had been made into a breakwall. The J L Reiss had sunk there in 1972. It had been recovered after the sinking just under the Blue Water Bridge in the St. Clair River. The Steamer J L Reiss’ name had been changed to the "Sidney Smith, Jr." at the time.

Both boats had sunk and now both nameboards have returned “home” to be near the spot where they last floated!

On Sunday January 25th a picture in the Star Beacon newspaper showed the nameboard being presented to the Ashtabula Marine Museum by Brian Morgan. No story was provided at that time.

One of those accepting the “Ashtabula” nameboard was Neil Barton. Shown below is Neil Barton with the nameboard. The picture was taken in 2004 showing him in his 1957 – 1959 USCG uniform. He and the uniform saw the “Ashtabula” Carferry leave and return to Ashtabula harbor from Port Burwell, Canada many times. This time they both see it return “home” for the last time!!!

Accepting for the Museum was Betty Carnegie - Director, Bob Frisbie – Trustee and Neil Barton-Museum Member, past member of the USCG, and Ashtabula Lighthouse Principle Light keeper from 1957-1959.

Brian Morgan & Bob Frisbie gave a brief history of the artifact before the meeting was adjourned.