This continues a series adapted from the book, “A Port Oneida Collection,” Volume 1 of the twopart set, “Oral History, Photographs, and Maps from the Sleeping Bear Region,” produced by Tom Van Zoeren in partnership with Preserve Historic Sleeping Bear. Here we continue with the Baker Farm at the north end of Port Oneida Road, focusing on the wreck of the Rising Suns.
In the fall of 1917 the Rising Sun, a 133-foot wooden steamship owned and operated by the House of David religious sect of Benton Harbor, was moored by High Island in the Beaver Archipelago of Northern Lake Michigan. Members of the House of David believed that their leader, known as King Ben, was, as he claimed, God. They did not believe in cutting their hair or beards.
As the ship was being loaded with potatoes and lumber, a gale blew in with a heavy earlyseason snowstorm. Unable to maintain a mooring in that exposed place, Captain Charles Morrison headed his ship and 32 passengers south, seeking protection.
