Sea Stories

After only ten years driving truck, Captain Richard Metz was drawn to the Great Lakes. He had always enjoyed watching the boats and ships moving seemingly effortlessly on the water going places he could only dream. With very little encouragement, Capt. Metz decided to try for a job working on the Great Lakes ships. He started working on the boats in 1964 as a deckhand. He knew right away that life aboard a laker was what he wanted to do all the rest of his life. He worked his way through the ranks to become a Great Lakes Sea Captain in 1980. Captain Metz enjoyed every minute of his career and continues to enjoy remembering and writing about his life on the lakes, even today. In 2003, Capt. Metz wrote his first book, Sea Stories. That book talked about his experiences in a clear and conversational manner offering his fascinating insight into the world of Great Lakes shipping. Capt. Metz’s second book, Life Aboard a Laker from 1964 to 1999, followed in this same vein, detailing the start of his career through his different positions on lakers, his studies, and what his choice of career meant to him. This book expands on Capt. Metz’s previous work, and includes additional stories, full-color photos, and a question-and-answer session with Capt. Metz.

Introduction:

How It Used to Be

Map

Greenhorn

Moving Up

Steering by the Stars

Never Forget the Woodrush

Wrong Side of the Buoy

Me? A Tugboat Captain?

Are You Trying to Kill Us?

Across the Border

November 10, 1975

Aboard the Heimbecker

My First Ship as Captain

The Longest Trip

New Captain, Old Ship, November Gales

A Short Toot

Silent Night

Shore Leaves

S.S. Judith M. Pierson

Beating the Storm

Make Love to That North Shore

Becoming a Willowglen-er

Relief Captain

Full Astern

The Anchor

The Cadet

First in Port, Twice in a Year

Time to Let Go the Anchor

Glossary

Nautical Directions

Ask the Captain

Captain Metz’s Ships

Ranks Aboard

Great Lakes Vessels

About the Author