The Huron Lightship is a fixture in Port Huron, but the historic high-water levels have given the community a bit of a scare as the ship has looked like it might float away. That was never a real concern, as the ship is buried deep into the ground next to Pine Grove Park, but water was indeed touching the ship for the first time since 1972.
The raising of the seawall to ensure that the National Historic Landmark remains undamaged is wrapping up. Andrew Kercher, spokesman for the Port Huron Museums, told us that the community had “come out of the woodwork” when he broached the issue of needing to raise the seawall. The threat of damage from impending ice floes was not far from his mind, as sandbags were not cutting it. The Acheson Foundation alone put $20,000 toward the effort. The City of Port Huron has paid the remainder of the more than $30,000 total bill, with help from Thumb Welding, to pump out the water and raise the sea wall.
The Lightship has national designation and will be celebrating its 100th anniversary soon, but its protection and preservation falls on local municipalities and organizations.
