http://gildartphoto.com/weblog/2006/08/06/kayaking-to-the-wreck-of-the-francisco-morazan Glimpses From Bert & Jane Gildart's Travel Adventures Tue, 06 Jan 2009 15:07:29 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6.1 http://gildartphoto.com/weblog/2006/08/06/kayaking-to-the-wreck-of-the-francisco-morazan#comment-28480 Fred Kramer Sun, 07 Dec 2008 20:53:42 +0000 http://gildartphoto.com/weblog/archives/66#comment-28480 I was one of those two young men that swam out to the Morazan. The young man who died was named Ronald Riker, whose parents owned and operated the last farm on S. Manitou. Ron had turned 18 just two days before his death. At the time, a section of the hull on the sea-ward side of the ship had broken open, providing entry to the stern hold. The wind had been from the SW, and there was a 2-3 foot sea runing from that direction. Ron and I swam to the stern, where a cable hung down to the water from above. Ron was confident that he could make it safely into the hold, reach the ladder there and make his way up to the deck. I was not that confident, and left him. I swam back to shore, and he was killed by the wave action inside the ship. I lost a very good friend that summer, and I shall never forget the incedent. If spirits haunt that ship, his is one. A life cut short by a bad decision. F. Kramer Still living in northern lower Michigan I was one of those two young men that swam out to the Morazan.
The young man who died was named Ronald Riker, whose parents owned and operated the last farm on S. Manitou.
Ron had turned 18 just two days before his death.
At the time, a section of the hull on the sea-ward side of the ship had broken open, providing entry to the stern hold.
The wind had been from the SW, and there was a 2-3 foot sea runing from that direction.
Ron and I swam to the stern, where a cable hung down to the water from above.
Ron was confident that he could make it safely into the hold, reach the ladder there and make his way up to the deck.
I was not that confident, and left him. I swam back to shore, and he was killed by the wave action inside the ship.
I lost a very good friend that summer, and I shall never forget the incedent.
If spirits haunt that ship, his is one. A life cut short by a bad decision.
F. Kramer
Still living in northern lower Michigan

]]> http://gildartphoto.com/weblog/2006/08/06/kayaking-to-the-wreck-of-the-francisco-morazan#comment-29 Pete Voss Sat, 19 Aug 2006 15:39:28 +0000 http://gildartphoto.com/weblog/archives/66#comment-29 8/19/06 Just saw the Morazan last week, camping on S. Manitou for a night, albeit without kayaks. Would love to bring kayaks out and explore there, probably via the ferry. Safety well worth the extra $29 to tote the kayak via the ferry. Great article. Pete 8/19/06
Just saw the Morazan last week, camping on S. Manitou for a night, albeit without kayaks. Would love to bring kayaks out and explore there, probably via the ferry. Safety well worth the extra $29 to tote the kayak via the ferry.
Great article.
Pete

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