The Boat House at the Sleeping Bear Point Life Saving Station was built in the mid 1800's when the volunteer Life Saving Service was developed. This service was developed because there were many shipwrecks in the passage. The people that volunteered used their own time after work to accomplish this job. In the beginning of the 20th century the volunteer service became a profession. A lighthouse was constructed to warn ships of dangerous waters and to steer them on the correct course. This job was now a 24 hour job, instead of something the men did in their spare time. The men working at the S.B. Life Saving Station also were making money for their efforts. When an accident occurred the men mobilized, getting the boats to the beach and casting off. The boats these men used were called surfboats. These boats were built to ride the big waves and to carry a lot of people. They were long, wide and shallow so people could stand up and not fall overboard. Another advantage to these boats was that they had self bailing systems. When water went into them, the boats used drain holes to let it out. When the wreck was within 300-400 yards of shore, another method of life saving took place. It was called the Breeches Buoy. A small cannon was used to shoot a line out to the wreck. The people on the ship would then tie the line around the mast of the ship. The Breeches Buoy was pulled back and forth, carrying people to safety. The breeches buoy was not a very good way to get people back, but it was better than nothing. The Breeches Buoy could only carry one person, so the rescuers had another method to use with the buoy. It was a little boat that could hold 5-6 people. The Boat House was the cleanest building in the station. The floors were kept squeaky clean, and everything was always in its place. Keeping everything in place was important because the lifesavers had to know where everything was when they were going to make a rescue.

CLICK FOR LARGER PHOTO The Boat House in Glen Haven. A Surfboat in the Boat House. A Life Saving Vessel in the rafters of the Boat House.

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