Mo. M. M. 1C (L) Frank F. Petoski (Petosky) in his U. S. Coast Guard Uniform. Photograph was taken in 1932 while Frank was station at Jackson Park LSS. Photograph is Courtesy of Paul Petosky from his “Private Collection”
Stories Continued From the Front Page
Frank F. Petosky, Motor Machinist Mate First Class (L)
“Life In The U.S. Lifesaving Service & Coast Guard 1927 to 1939”
(Jackson Park LSS, “TYD,” Silver Bullion & Marquette USCG Station)
On the 26th day of May 1927 Motor Machinist Mate First Class (L) Frank Floyd Petoski (Petosky) assigned to Marquette Lifesaving Station has been transferred to Jackson Park Lifesaving Station. He will report for active duty at 10:00 a.m.
Frank’s transfer was authorized by “Letter 73-531” sent from Headquarters of the Eleventh District. Fred E. Stebbins (“Boatswain”) was the Officer-in-Charge of Jackson Park Lifesaving Station at the time. This particular lifesaving station was located in the Eleventh District along the shores of Lake Michigan, near the “City of Chicago.”
O.I. C. Stebbins assigned Frank “Watch No. 2.” He was assigned “Boarding Duty” from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. and had use of a “Private Skiff.” Frank F. Petoski (Petosky) enlisted for a year at Jackson Park Lifesaving Station. His papers were approved by the District Office on the 13th day of March 1927. Frank transfer from Marquette Lifesaving Station to Jackson Park Lifesaving Station (“LSS”) wasn’t officially confirmed until Saturday the 4th day of June 1927.
According to Paul Petosky, his dad spent time between Jackson Park LSS and a few other “Special Details” away from his primary station.
At right is Grand Marais Lifesaving Station” located in Grand Marais, Minnesota. Photograph is Courtesy of Paul Petosky from his “Private Collection”
Paul Petosky stated in an email to me there was a “Footnote” in his dad’s service records that stated: “Little Marais, Minnesota.” Paul wasn’t quite sure if his dad was on “Temporary Duty” (“TYD”) at Little Marais, Minnesota or if this location was actually “Grand Marais Lifesaving Station” located in Grand Marais, Minnesota?
Author’s Notes:
“Over the past few weeks I’ve looked at a few online documents that stated in the early 1930’s, “Grand Marais Lifesaving Station” was also known as “North Superior Lifeboat Station.” One of the online documents stated the lifesaving station had a fleet of twenty-five life and/or rescue boats.” I’ve also consulted with the Deputy Coast Guard Historian about this and I personally looked over the records at the National Archives in Chicago, Illinois. I can confirm this footnote was in Frank’s Service Records.”
History Note on Station No. 11:
“Jackson Park Lifesaving Station No. 11 once stood along the Lake Michigan shoreline in Jackson Park, Illinois. The station stood on west side of Yacht Harbor, 7¾ miles southeast of Chicago Harbor Lighthouse, and 2½ miles west of the Hyde Park Crib Light-Station. Jackson Park LSS was built for the “Columbia Exposition” in 1893. This particular station was replaced when the harbor was reconfigured in 1906. Jackson Park Lifesaving Station No. 11 was also known as “Coast Guard Station No. 279.
Right is U. S. Jackson Park Lifesaving Station No. 11. Photograph is Courtesy of Paul Petosky from his “Private Collection”
Apparently Frank chose Jackson Park Lifesaving Station over Marquette Lifesaving Station. On Saturday the 4th day of June 1927 Frank F. Petoski (Petosky) Surfman No. 2 was assigned to “Lookout Duty” from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. At 6:45 p.m. the station received a telephone call from a “Woman” at the foot of 78th Street, near the shoreline of Lake Michigan. A woman told “Boatswain-in-Charge” Fred E. Stebbins she had observed an object floating about a mile out in Lake Michigan. The woman assumed it was a “Skiff” set adrift. Stebbins and Surfman No. 2 Frank Petoski (Petosky) went out in “Motor Dinghy No. 1549” to see what was going on. As they got closer to the object adrift in the lake, they found themselves looking at a large wooden partially broken “Telephone Cable Reel” drifting towards shore. They secure the cable reel to the dinghy and towed it back to the station. Fred and Frank arrived back at Jackson Park around 7:45 p.m.
Author’s Note:
“Weather conditions that evening were; winds out of the northwest at three knots, temperature was listed as 75 degrees and the surf condition was listed as: “Moderate.”
On Sunday the 5th day of June 1927 Frank was assigned to “Lookout Duty” from Midnight to 2:00 a.m., again from Noon to 2:00 p.m. and from 10:00 p.m. to Midnight. On Monday the 6th day of June 1927, Frank’s day looked quite different. He was assigned “Lookout Duty” from
8:00 a.m. to Noon. Once he completed his watch Frank next assignment was helping fellow crew members scrubbing the exterior of the “Northern” end of the station from 10:40 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Frank managed to fine time to grab some dinner that evening. He also had a couple of hours of downtime before he was back on “Lookout Duty” from 8:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.
Author’s Note:
“Frank was fortunate, while on “Lookout Duty” the only thing he had to participate in that morning was “Morning Colors.” He wasn’t required to participate in “Beach Patrol Drills” that took place from 8:00 to 8:40 a.m., “Semaphore Signal Drills” that was scheduled from 8:40 a.m. to 9:40 a.m. or “General Service Code” classes that was from 9:40 a.m. to 10:40 a.m.”
The next day started somewhat early for Frank. He had “Lookout Duty” from 6:00 a.m. to 8:00 a.m. After that he attended “Morning Colors,” went to classes on “Rules of the Road, Maritime Boat Law” and instruction on how to use a “Compass.”
The only drill scheduled that morning was from 9:40 a.m. to 10:40 p.m. Frank and the other crew members participated in “Pulling Surfboat Drills” under oars. The team of men rowed about a mile out in Lake Michigan and then rowed back.
Once back on land the entire crew was deployed “Painting” the exterior of the station from 10:40 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Frank was back on “Lookout Duty” from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Just after 5:45 p.m. the station received a call from the “Hyde Park Police,” informed them a young boy and a girl had fallen of the “Seawall” at Hammond just off 47th Street.
The possible drowning site is about 2½ miles north of the station. Four crew members went to scene in “Motor Dinghy No. 1549”. Once the men reached the scene, a young man approached the station crew. According to the man the two bodies were recovered by the “Hyde Park Police.”
He also said the police took them to the hospital for identification. According to a representative from the “Police Department” the children’s bodies had been submerged for an hour. The four of us returned to station at 6:40 p.m.
“Boatswain-in-Charge” Fred E. Stebbins returned to station at 10:30 p.m. that evening. Fred was coming back after being on “Regular Leave” for the day. On Wednesday the 8th day of June 1927 Frank was assigned “Lookout Duty” from 4:00 a.m. to 6:00 a.m. He left the station at 8:00 a.m. on “Regular Leave” and returned the following morning just before “Morning Colors.”
Author’s Note:
“Morning Colors” happen every day at 8:00 a.m. and everyone who was on duty was expected to attend.”
On Thursday the 19th day of September 1927 Frank received treatment for “Right Ear” problem. The following morning he left the station on “Regular Liberty” and was back on station the following morning before 8:00 a.m. Frank Petoski’s (Petosky) name was missing from the “Station Logbook” on Saturday the 1st day of October 1927. As I reviewed all the entries from that day, I couldn’t find any type of explanation on why his name was “Left Off.” I couldn’t tell if he was “On Station.
On Sunday morning the 2nd day of October 1927 Frank’s name was back in the “Station Logbook.” He was assigned “Lookout Duty” from Midnight to 2:00 a.m., “Left Patrol” from 2:00 a.m. to 4:00 a.m. and “Lookout Duty” from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. Frank completed his enlistment at Jackson Park Lifesaving Station on the 12th day of March 1928. He re-enlisted for two years and he was back “On Station” the very next morning.
On the 30th day of July 1930 Frank Floyd Petosky (Petoski) was on his way to make a “Border Crossing” between the United States to Canada.
At right is the crossing point from Detroit, Michigan to Canada in the 1930. Photograph is Courtesy of Paul Petosky from his “Private Collection””
According to an information found on this official government document: Frank Floyd Petosky (Petoski) age: “Thirty-two”, marital status: “Single”, spoke: “English,” occupation: “United States Coast Guard.” Frank was on “Annual Leaving.” He left “Chicago, Illinois” and was on his way to “Port Austin, Michigan” where he was supposed to cross over the “Canadian Border” into “Sandwich, Ontario” which is a neighborhood of “Windsor, Ontario, Canada.” The purpose of his “Border Crossing” was listed as: “Visiting John Joseph Petosky,” unfortunately Frank’s request was “Rejected” and “No Appeal” was allowed by the “Canadian Government.”
1932 Jackson Park Lifesaving Station Roster:
At right is U. S. Coast Guard Station (Jackson Park) #279. The Photograph is Courtesy of Paul Petosky from his “Private Collection”
Fred E. Stebbins, Officer-in-Charge, Conrad Olson, Boatswain First Class (L), Frank Floyd Petoski (Petosky), Motor Machinist Mate First Class (L), Richard G. Carlson, Surfman, K. E. Gibson, Surfman, H. E. Deneau, Surfman, H. E. Van Inger, Surfman, Anton Drabik, Surfman, J. H. Frankuecht, Surfman and C. J. Koloski, Surfman Frank Floyd Petoski (Petosky) arrived back at Jackson Park LSS after being on “Regular Liberty” from the 5th day of January to the 6th day of January 1932. Frank reported back to “Active Duty” at 4:00 p.m. By 5:00 p.m.
Frank received a “Temporary Transfer” to the Ninth District “Motor School,” located in Buffalo, New York. The authorization for his transfer came via “Telegram no. 1004-1520” from Headquarters of the Eleventh District.
The following morning the station logbook at Jackson Park listed Frank as “AOD” Ninth District. While stationed at Buffalo, Frank took classes at the “United States Coast Guard Motor School.” On Tuesday the 1st day of March 1932 Fred E. Stebbins returned from fifty days of leave. He reported back to Jackson Park Lifesaving Station just before 12:10 a.m. Motor Machinist Mate First Class Frank F. Petoski (Petosky) return from the Ninth District “Motor School” at 8:30 a.m. Frank spent the day in class, drilling, cleaning ceiling and walls in the “Drill Room” of the station.
Author’s Note: “The school is now called “U.S.C.G. National Motor Lifeboat School and is presently located in Yorktown, Virginia.” 
At right is Frank F. Petoski (Petosky) standing in front of U.S.C.G. Motor School Facility in Buffalo, New York. Photograph is Courtesy of Paul Petosky from his “Private Collection.”
During the early morning hours on Wednesday the 20th day of April 1932, Frank was assigned “Left Patrol” from Midnight to 2:00 a.m. and “Lookout Duty” from 2:00 a.m. to 4:00 a.m. After leave his watch Frank settled in to his rack until he reported for “Morning Colors” at 8:00 a.m. Right after that Frank and other crew members were off to “International Code Recitation” that lasted until 8:30 a.m. He had “Pilot Rules, Buoy and Signal Training” used on a “Wreck” until 9:00 a.m. “Onshore and Navigational Law” classes until 9:30 a.m. After that Frank was assigned to a detail that was responsible for painting legends on “Motor Surfboat No. 3718.” The surfboat was tied to the wooden pier near the station.
On Saturday the 11th day of June 1932 at 2:00 p.m. Office-in-Charge Fred E. Stebbins and Surfman No. 2 Frank Floyd Petoski left from Jackson Park Lifesaving Station in the newly painted “Motor Surfboat No. 3718.” Fred and Frank were “On Patrol” along the southern end of Lake Michigan near the “City of Chicago.” The two men were responsible for looking after the outboard racers who were participating in the “Century of Progress.” Fred and Frank were stationed at the foot of 20th Street, on the south end of the race course. They arrived at their
assigned point at 2:30 p.m.
Some thirty minutes later outboard motor boat no. “V-148” with its driver became swamped and was very close to 
Fred and Frank. According to the station logbook entry the man was rescued from the water. They took his motor boat in tow and landed it at the foot of 18th Street boat landing.
Fred Stebbins and Frank Petoski raced immediately back to their position.Around 4:00 p.m. outboard motor boat no. “V-251” capsized a little further away from them. They went immediately out and rescued the driver from the water. They towed the motor boat to the foot of 18th Street.
We again raced back to our position at 20th Street. Some thirty minutes later a “Dodge,” make: “Runabout” motor boat no. “S-517” with two men aboard capsized near us. We rescued both men and took this runabout motor boat in tow off 18th Street. Unfortunately out tow line broke and “S-517” sank. We left the scene and went straight to “Old Chicago Lifesaving Station.”
On the left is “Old Chicago” Coast Guard Station. Photograph Courtesy of Paul Petosky from his “Private Collection.”
We borrowed their small “Dock Scow” and towed it to where the boat sank. We secured a new line to the sunken craft. We had to use our hand crank and some muscle to raise her to the surface. We secured her to the “Dock Scow,” towed near shoreline. Once we getting closer to shoreline, we pulled our “Dock Scow” alongside the much larger “Derrick Scow.”
The crew from the “Derrick Scow,” the two of us passed lines under the bow and stern of the “Runabout.” We managed to raise her onto the scows deck that sat just above the waterline.
Once the “Runabout” was on deck we bailed the water out of her by pail. Once she was pretty empty we turned the boat back over to its owner: Mr. Daniel Jaffer who resided at 2331 East 67th Street.
At 7:30 p.m. “Unknown Man” came into the lifesaving station and reported that a “Boy” had drowned just off the 39th Street pier. We immediately left the station and made our way down the lake. We arrived on scene shortly after 7:45 p.m. We setup our dragline and proceeded to drag the area until 8:00 p.m.
Shortly thereafter we received some information that the boy hadn’t drowned, however someone did observe a “Body” bobbing up and down out in lake. After we searched that area for about forty-five minutes we assumed the winds and strong tides
must have push the unidentified “Body” further out into Lake Michigan.
Officer-in-Charge Fred E. Stebbins and Surfman No. 2 Frank F. Petoski abandoned the search and returned to Jackson Park Lifesaving Station at 8:55 p.m. The two men stowed their gear, wrote up the reports on each incident and Frank Petoski called it a night just before he went to sleep. Officer-in-Charge Stebbins made his final inspection of the station, completed his final report for the day and turned in for the night.
On Tuesday, the 6th day of September 1932 Frank left the station on “Annual Leave.” He departed Jackson Park LSS at 9:00 a.m. By 2:00 p.m. the other nine members still “On Station” were sawing large cords of driftwood for kindling. The cut wood was used as fuel for the station furnace. Around that same time the owner of the motor boat “Susie” telephoned the station. The man on the phone line told us he had accidently ran out of the channel and his boat was now grounded in the mud in the inner portion of the harbor.
The four crew members from Jackson Park LSS left the station right away and proceed out into the lake. They took the motor lifeboat. Once they arrived on scene, they found two men aboard the motor boat.
After an hour’s of steady work by the crew men of Jackson Park and the men aboard the motor boat, it was successfully pulled from the mud and towed back into the channel. We continue our tow until we placed “Susie” back at her usual lake mooring buoy.
Fred Stebbins and his crew returned back to Jackson Park Lifesaving Station at 3:00 p.m. The remainder of the day was quiet and uneventful. Frank F. Petoski (Petosky) returned to station at 10:30 a.m. from twenty days of “Annual Leave” on the 27th day of September 1932.
On the 2nd day of May 1933 tragedy stuck the Petosky household. Frank’s mother Mary A. (Dudack) Petosky passed away in Port Austin, Michigan at the age of eighty-six.
In 1933 Frank Floyd Petoski (Petosky) was promoted to the rank of “Boatswain’s First Class (L).” It’s now Wednesday the 2nd day of August 1933 Frank was assigned “Lookout Duty” from 4:00 a.m. to 6:00 a.m., he spent the morning hours drilling, taking classes and doing some cleanup work around the station. Sometime before 1:30 p.m. Frank left the station on a “Five Day Emergency Leave.”
On Monday the 7th day of August 1933 Frank F. Petoski (Petosky) returned back to “Active Duty.”
On Tuesday the 8th day of August 1933 was a very different day at Jackson Park LSS. Frank took “Recruiting Classes” from 8:00 a.m. to 8:30 a.m., participated in “Pulling Surfboat Drill” until 9:30 a.m. Frank spent the remainder of the morning and part of the afternoon with the crews making repairs on the “Lifeboat Carriage” and “Cleaning Up” around the station. They finished right around 2:00 p.m. Once the sun fade away and the night set in the crew participated in “Flash Light Signal Drills” from 7:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Events of “Old Chicago Coast Guard Station Fire:
On Sunday, the 27th day of August 1933 at 7:30 p.m. Surfman Anton Drabik was on “Lookout Duty.” He reported the “Old Chicago Coast Guard Station” was “On Fire!!!” O.I.C. telephoned the station, however no one picked the phone. We launched our motor lifeboat right away, while we were launching the lifeboat the station received a telephone call from an “Unknown Man.” The man stating that a small sailboat off 37th Street appears to be in trouble.
Above is “Old Chicago” Coast Guard Station #280 after the “Fire” Photograph is Courtesy of Paul Petosky from his “Private Collection”
We changed directions and cruised along the shoreline as far South as 22nd Street, but found no trace of the sailboat. We proceeded to “Old Chicago Coast Guard Station.”
We arrived there at 8:30 p.m. and assisted the “Chicago Firemen” and the “Chicago USCG Station” crew ferrying ladders, hoses and firemen across the “Chicago River” to the burning Coast Guard Station. We continued to assist until the “Fire” was extinguished.
We left for our own station at 10:30 p.m. We arrived just after 11:30 p.m.
Over the next three days Richard G. Carlson, Surfman No. 3 was detailed to assist the “Old Chicago Coast Guard Station” crew. His main responsibility was to make repairs to the “Chard Roof Structure and Roof.” Carlson arrived every morning at 8:30 a.m. and arrive back “On Station” at 7:30 p.m.
On Wednesday the 30 day of August 1933, Frank Floyd Petoski (Petosky) Mo. M. M. 1C (L) saw the devastation first hand. He left the station at 8:00 a.m. on “Regular Liberty” and returned back to station the next day at 9:00 a.m. While on liberty Frank took a close look at the “Old Chicago Coast Guard Station” that was ravaged by “Fire” a few days earlier.
Author’s Note: “The interior and parts of the exterior of the Old Chicago Coast Guard Station were completely destroyed by the “Fire. The damage was so extensive the entire structure was torn down and rebuilt from the ground up. The only structure that survived the ragging inferno was the “Boathouse.” Estimates to completely rebuild the new “Cape Cod Style” Lifeboat Station ranged anywhere from $125,000 to a little less than $100,000. According to the station logbooks all activities from the time of the “Fire” till the new station was commission were conducted out of “Old Boathouse.” The new lifeboat station was completed in 1936.”
1935 Jackson Park Lifesaving Station Roster:
Fred E. Stebbins, Officer-in-Charge, Frank F. Petoski (Petosky) B. M. 1C (L), C. S. Canfield, Surfman No. 2, Richard G. Carlson, Surfman No. 3, H. E. Deneau, Surfman No. 4, Anton Drabik, Surfman No. 5, J. L. Twiest, Surfman No. 6, Louis Zak, Surfman No. 7, R. J. Sonnenschein, Surfman No. 8, E. M. Holzle, Surfman No. 9, N. Wall, Surfman No. 10 and F. P. Heldman, Surfman No. 11
Author’s Note:
“On the 1st day of January 1935 Frank F. Petoski (Petosky) was Acting Officer-in-Charge for Fred E, Stebbins who was out on “Annual Leave.” Fred returned to Jackson Park LSS on the 19th day of February 1935 at 9:30 a.m.”
Frank F. Petoski (Petosky) and Howard E. Deneau left Jackson Park LSS at 12:35 p.m. Both men were scheduled to take “Small Firearms” training over at the “Old Federal Building.” Frank and Howard returned back on station at 3:30 p.m. They spent the next nine days in training. On 27th day of February 1935 both men qualified in “Small Arms.”
On Wednesday the 15th day of May 1935 at 12:35 p.m. Frank F. Petoski (Petosky) left for the “United States Public Service.” This “TYD” assignment was per “Letter no. 113” that Fred E. Stebbins received from the Eleventh District Office.
The following morning Frank was absent and listed as: “In the Hospital.”
On Monday the 17th day of June 1935 Frank return to “Active Duty” after spending a little more than two months in a “Marine Hospital.” Frank reported to Officer-in Charge, Fred E. Stebbins just before 3:30 p.m. On Thursday the 17th day of October 1935 Frank left the station at 7:00 a.m. He was granted thirty days “Annual Leave.” On Friday the 18th day of October 1935 Frank F. Petoski (Petosky) B. M. 1C (L) return to Jackson Park Lifesaving Station and returned to “Active Duty” at 11:00 a.m.
1937 Jackson Park Lifesaving Station Roster:
A. E. Kristofferson Officer-in-Charge, Frank Floyd Petoski (Petosky) Mo. M. M. 1C (L), Cecil S. Canfield, Mo. M. M. 2C (L), Richard G. Carlson, Surfman No. 3, Howard E. Deneau, Surfman No. 4, Herbert J. Pleck, Surfman No. 5, Charles M. Holzle, Surfman No. 6, John Vandenberg, Surfman No. 7, Lloyd E. Cornell, Surfman No. 8, George K. Hans, Surfman No. 9, Franklin P. Coleman, Surfman No. 10 and Howard R. Engle, Surfman No. 11. 
On Wednesday that 20th day of January 1937 the crew was employed at 4:00 a.m. “Cutting Ice” in the Yacht Harbor. The weather conditions while the men were cutting ice: Winds out of the
southeast at six knots, surf out in the lake was light, it was snowing and the temperature was listed as thirty degrees
At right is Frank F. Petoski standing in front of Motor Lifeboat # 3705. He was loading supplies into the boat prior to its departure. Officer-in-Charge A. E. Kristofferson would be the one to trailer this boat and drive to Evansville, Indiana. Photograph is Courtesy of Paul Petosky from his “Private Collection”
. The crew would haul the ice blocks out using motor “S-B Surfboat No. 3718.” The blocks were being loaded onto military trucks that were headed towards Evansville, Indiana. The crew stopped cutting ice just before 6:00 a.m. A few minutes later Cecil Canfield was recalled from “Regular Liberty” and was order to Evansville on “Flood Relief Duty.” Canfield’s departure date had not been assigned, but he was on list.
Fred Stebbins stated in the logbook that: “Drills omitted on account of standing by to leave!”
At 2:30 p.m. Frank Floyd Petoski (Petosky) Mo. M. M. 1C (L) left Jackson Park Lifesaving Station on “Flood Relief Duty.” He received his verbal orders for the District Commander. I’m going to stop here so you can get a feel of what happen along the “Ohio River.” 
Background on Evansville, Indiana Flooding:
At right is one of the flooded streets in Evansville, Indiana. Photograph is Courtesy of Paul Petosky from his “Private Collection”
“Before we move forward, I’m going to give you a quick timeline of how the devastation that began on the 9th day of January 1937. The “Ohio River” reaches flood stage in Evansville, Indiana. Weather as unseasonably warm, but over the day temperature dropped into the mid 40’s. According to public record on the 10th day of January, Evansville endures one of the worst ice storm in more than thirty years. During the day heavy rains fell. Temperatures were warmer than normal and the snow began to melt at a rapid rate. This set the city up for one of the worst “Natural Disasters” in its lifetime. The devastation from the “Ohio River” stretched from “Pittsburg, Pennsylvania” all the way to “Cairo, Illinois.” By the 31st day of January the “Ohio River” finally crested and was some “Nineteen” feet above “Flood Stage.” On the 24th day of January 1937 the United States Federal Government deployed four thousand “Work Progress Administration (WPA)” workers to Evansville, Indiana to assist local authorities with their ongoing rescue operations. You had soldiers standing guard on Franklin Street. All schools, churches, businesses and other government offices were closed. The governor of Indiana “Clifford Townsend” declared the “City of Evansville” is now under “Martial Law.”
On Saturday the 23rd day of January 1937, Ruben K. Kinnumen B. M. 2C (L) was now the “Acting Officer-in-Charge” of Jackson Park Lifesaving Station. O.I.C. A. E. Kristofferson was also detailed to Evansville, Indiana on “Flood Relief Duty.” His authorization to Evansville was by several verbal orders that came from the “USCG Commander (Chicago Division.)”
At right is Frank Floyd Petoski (Petosky) Motor Machinist Mate 1C (L) holding the St. Joseph Lifeboat rudder. We believe Cecil S. Canfield, Motor Machinist Mate 2C (L) is on his right and Officer-in-Charge, A. E. Kristofferson is on his left & Police Officer Adrian Fleming is standing behind Frank and Cecil. Photograph is Courtesy of Paul Petosky from his “Private Collection”
Kristofferson was ordered to load up S-B-Motor Surfboat on a truck equipped with a trailer and drive it down to the relief efforts. A. E. Kristofferson received his orders at 3:05 a.m. At 5:30 a.m., Howard E. Deneau, Surfman No. 4 and John Vandenberg, Surfman No. 7 departed Jackson Park at 5:30 a.m. for Evansville, Indiana on “Flood Relief Duty.” The two surfmen also received their verbal orders from the “USCG Commander.” At 9:30 a.m. Thursday morning the 27th day of January 1937 Cecil S. Canfield, Motor Machinist Mate 2C (L), Richard G. Carlson, Surfman No. 3 and Franklin P. Coleman, Surfman No. 10 received their verbal orders to report to “Flood Relief Duty” in Evansville, Indiana. They left the station at 9:45 a.m. Three days later Herbert J. Pleck(Surfman No. 5) was now the “Acting Officer-in-Charge” of Jackson Park Lifesaving Station.
Frank Floyd Petoski (Petosky) Motor Machinist Mate 1C (L), Cecil S. Canfield, Motor Machinist Mate 2C (L) and Officer-in-Charge, A. E. Kristofferson were assisting business owners and families that were devastated by the flood waters that ripped through Evansville, Indiana. Frank, Cecil, and Kristofferson were from time-to-time standing in the lifeboat at the foot of “Locust Street” along with Police Officer Adrian Fleming.
The four men were in the lifeboat and docked at the “Loading Platform” that was built onto “Locust Street.” This long wooden loading platform was used to carry supplies, people or types of baggage from the barges that were docked along the “Ohio River.” The United States Coast Guard had “Cutters” dock at McCurdy’s along with numerous “Coast Guard Lifeboats.”
At right is one of the flooded streets in Evansville, Indiana. Here you see several lifeboats with Coast Guardsmen aboard and supplies being loaded aboard. Photograph is Courtesy of Paul Petosky from his “Private Collection”
Frank and his fellow “Coast Guardsmen’s” were working with the “Red Cross” workers rescuing those that were stranded by the raging flood waters.
Author’s Note:
“There were 100,000 people in Evansville Indiana that were left homeless. Water levels began receding in Evansville on the 4th day of February 1937.”
It’s now Monday morning the 15th day of February 1937 Cecil S. Canfield, Motor Machinist Mate 2C (L), Richard G. Carlson, Surfman No. 3, Franklin P. Coleman, Surfman No. 10 and Officer-in-Charge A. E. Kristofferson return from Evansville, Indiana to Jackson Park Lifesaving Station just before 10:00 p.m. Two days later William R. Ives, Surfman and John P. Juley were “TYD” to Jackson Park left for “South Chicago Lifesaving Station” at 9:00 a.m.
At 2:30 a.m. on the 16th day of February 1937 Frank Petoski (Petosky), John Vandenberg and Howard Deneau return to Jackson Park LSS aboard the Motor Surfboat that was trailered to Evansville, Indiana. The men reported in, stowed their gear and called it a night.
At 10:00 a.m. O.I.C. Kristofferson sent three men to “Keith’s Boat Yard” to unload Motor Lifeboat No. 3705 and return it by 2:15 p.m. to Jackson Park Station LSS. Kristofferson wrote up a damage report as he looked over the Lifeboat No. 3705. Here is what he recorded:
“Motor Lifeboat No. 3705, slight dent in metal stem received while on “Flood Relief Duty.” Blades on one propeller were bent in ice when leaving the harbor on the 27th day of January 1937. The bilge keel is worn off from forward end to the first bolt.”
John Vandenberg and Howard Deneau left on “Regular Liberty” at 9:00 a.m. the following morning they returned to Jackson Park. Once the two men reported “On Station,” Frank left on “Regular Liberty” around 12:15 p.m. Frank was aboard “Motor S-B Surfboat No. 3718” for his return trip back to Jackson Park and reported for duty at 11:45 a.m..
Author’s Note:
“The logbook entry list Frank F. Petoski (Petosky) rank as B. M. 1C (L)”
On Saturday the 20th day of February 1937 Frank was assigned “Lookout Duty” from Noon to 2:00 p.m. Office-in-Charge, E. Kristofferson visited the “Lookout Tower” at 12:15 p.m. and the “Left Patrol” limits just after 2:00 p.m. He found the tower in order and post’s, chains and keys at the far limit of the patrol in good condition. He completed his inspection and was back in his office by 4:00 p.m. What makes this event important is Frank F. Petoski (Petosky) typed up the station logbook report for Saturday. Kristofferson and Frank both signed off on the events that occurred that day. On Monday the 21st day of June 1937 Frank Floyd Petoski (Petosky) B. M. 1C (L) left in his own car for “Marquette Coast Guard Station.” He was transfer was approved to Marquette at 8:00 a.m. Prior to his departure Frank picked up his pay check from O.I.C Kristofferson for the first half of June 1937.
Before leaving Jackson Park Lifesaving Station Frank typed the logbook entries up to the time he departed for Marquette, Michigan and Officer-in-Charge A. E. Kristofferson signed off on it just before Frank walked out the door. Frank couldn’t leave right after “Morning Colors” because O.I.C. A. E. Kristofferson hadn’t return to station from his two day “Leave of Absence.”
At right is Frank F. Petoski (Petosky) standing next to one of the trucks used to carry the “Silver Bullion. He is hold a “Thomason Sub Machine Gun” and the “Government Vault” is just behind him. Photograph is Courtesy of Paul Petosky from his “Private Collection”
Frank F. Petoski (Petosky) was assigned “Temporary Duty” at Marquette United States Coast Guard Station on the 2nd day of July 1938 and would remain there until 20th day of February 1939.
Frank F. Petoski (Petosky) reported for “Guard Duty” on the 21st day of February 1939 and remained at the depository until the 11th day of March 1939. Frank’s rank at that time was listed as “First Class Coast Guardsman.” He was there on “TYD” and was responsible for guarding the “West Point Bullion Depository.” Back then the depository was a storage facility for the “Silver Bullion.”
Author’s Note:
“The depository was constructed in 1937 and at that time it was called: “West Point Mint Facility” sometime later it was nickname “The Fort Knox of Silver.”
The depository stands close to “United States Military Academy at West Point, New York.” Frank Floyd Petoski (Petosky) was responsible for guarding huge shipments of “Silver Bars” that were in route from New York to the “Government Vault” at West Point. Frank took his job very seriously as he watched workers load each truck. Back then the “Silver Bars” were loaded on the truck by hand. Each bar was placed on the truck one at a time and there were always two guards present. Frank F. Petoski (Petosky) was assigned “Temporary Duty” at Marquette United States Coast Guard Station on the 12th day of March 1939 and he remained there until 14th day of May 1939.
What’s On Tap For Next Month
The last installment of Frank Floyd Petoski (Petosky) story will be in the next addition of the newspaper. What you can expect to read in this “Final Installment:”
“We will find out what Frank’s next assignments were, what changes he experiences while stationed at numerous Lifesaving Stations and Coast Guard Stations along Lake Superior. We will also look at Frank’s recruiting days and his life just before he retires from “Active Duty” on the 1st day of June 1947.”