Memories of the American Girl, Stories about the Anderson Family Freighting Business

by Jim Anderson

Jim Anderson's memories of the 1950, 60s and 70s when he grew up in a family that operated the AMERICAN GIRL, a Washington Island freighting boat. His stories are poignant as well as humorous, and wonderfully entertaining. They also provide historical perspective on a much different era: of farming, fishing and the physical work it took to keep an island community supplied in necessities. (Forward by Editor, Richard Purinton)

83 pages, Paperback

Published August 1, 2016

Reviews

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

There is something about the Washington Island community that is not found elsewhere; it's hidden in the stories of days gone by, the generations of families that continue to return home to visit and the industrious people that did what they needed to do to make it all work. The author, Jim Anderson is part of the family that built the culture that city folks flee to escape to. Anderson worked alongside of his father, uncle and grandfather on the waters of Lake Michigan. Together they piloted the AMERICAN GIRL, in a time when navigation was a mere compass and wind-up alarm clock. She plied the waters of Washington Island to Green Bay, transporting fish, potatoes, cargo and pulling the OIL QUEEN barge with fuel for the growing island community. The men learned to read her, and the waters, which produced the adventurous stories recounted by Anderson for us to enjoy.