Gales of Superior

It was the second major storm of April and the first Blizzard to pound Western Lake Superior with a solid Northeaster. 50-60 mile an hour winds howled off the big lake with waves as high as 15 feet. Ten inches of wet snow blew in horizontally and brought winter back for an April Visit.

As I stood in the cold spray coming off the lake at Canal Park in Duluth, I was joined by dozens of "Storm Watchers" some of who drove many miles to experience the full brunt of a Superior Gale.

The giant waves crashing into the shoreline, were not unlike those that occurred nearly 103 years ago in 1905 when the 430ft Steamer Mataafa attempted to enter the canal in a fierce November storm. The Mataafa approached the Ship Canal in a desperate attempt to reach safe harbor. The steamer was slammed by the waves into the end of the North Pier, where it struck the breakwater. The captain tried to free the ship, but the attempt was futile against the huge waves. The Mataafa came to rest in front of the same spot that I was standing today and was pounded by the waves overnight in the freezing temperatures. Nine of the ship's 24 crewmen perished that night while literally thousands of Duluthians watched helplessly from the shore or from windows on the hillside.
The storm ended up destroying or damaging 29 vessels on Lake Superior, taking 36 seamen and causing property losses in the millions of dollars.

God mixes the elements together to stir up storms, and he also controls and calms them before our eyes. It is truly a show of force not only to display His mighty power, but also, to remind us of our helplessness before His mighty hand. When the inevitable storms of life swirl in on us, the same God that controls the weather is our only "Safe Harbor".

Some went off to sea in ships, plying the trade routes of the world.
They, too, observed the LORD's power in action, His impressive works on the deepest seas.
He spoke, and the winds rose, stirring up the waves.
Their ships were tossed to the heavens and plunged again to the depths; the sailors cringed in terror. Psa 107:23