SNIP "From the reading I have done about ships that got into distress and ended up on the rocks or shore the issue rarely seemed to be that they did not know where they were but that the conditions and vessel technology--- sails, low power engines, poor steering, etc.--- simply overcame them." I think that is a fairly accurate statement insofar as shipping on the Great Lakes was concerned in the first half of the 20th century. Under-powered ships were frequently blown onto rocky shores. However, on Lake Superior, in particular, with the iron deposits ashore and beneath the bottom, compasses go nuts and more than one vessel wound up in Davy Jones Locker because they did not know where they were until it was too late, especially during a N'easter and at night. David Sorenson Duluth, MN ____________________________________________________________ Save hundreds on an Unsecured Loan - Click here. http://thirdpartyoffers.juno.com/TGL2141/fc/BLSrjpTIqYwaB28dFSItB6RRBnNrPwe981erhY61ZfF8yAO3enh6r6PKkus/