How embarrassing for the captain of the steamer George M. Cox to run onto a reef near a lighthouse. He may not have been able to see the light in the fog, but the radio beacon and fog signal were operating. They should have told him where he was.

In May what might the temperature have been on Lake Michigan? What would it be like to spend the night outside on the deck above the foundation?

How many crew members would be on a steamer that held over 127 people? A dozen? And three keepers makes what? About 140 people all together? The two lower levels of the tower were filled with machinery and the watch room was reserved for the keepers, so 140 people tried to crowd into the common room and two levels of living quarters.