A PEEK AT THE PAST...
Harbor of Refuge
by Leonard DeFrain

The site for a harbor at Sand Beach was selected in 1872 by the U.S. government. The location was chosen because Sand Beach was midway between Port Huron and Tawas Bay. A harbor, at this site, would provide a place of refuge for sailing vessels on Lake Huron when caught in heavy storm-tossed seas. Prior to this time, vessels had either to sail 60 miles south to the shelter of the St. Clair River at Port Huron or sail 55 miles north to the protection of Tawas Bay.

The work of construction was begun in 1873 by private contractors, Dale and Davidson, and called for the building and sinking of the first 10 cribs of the main, or middle, pier. Rectangular cribs of heavy hemlock square timber were built on shore, towed out to the survey line, filled with stone and sunk in place. Marine divers were employed to align the cribs to the proper position on the lake bed. The stones were supplied by many local residents who, with their small boats, gathered loads of stones along the shore. Also the local farmers gathered wagon loads of stones from the countryside; all being loaded on barges and towed to the crib site.

As work progressed, the government became dissatisfied with the expense and slow work of the private contractors. The firm of Hugo and Tims then took over the construction of the pier under government supervision. By the end of 1878, enough of the harbor had been completed to allow the first vessels to seek refuge from the storm. By 1883, the three piers were completed and comprised the breakwater of about 8,200 feet in length. Construction by that time required 1,210,000 pounds of iron, 15,400,000 feet of timber and plank and 48,000 cord of stone.

The lighthouse was completed in 1885. Lorn Trescott was the first lighthouse keeper and later was joined by his brother Alva Trescott. Later it was Andy Henderon. The last man was Otto Both when in 1939 the lighthouse operation was turned over to the Coast Guard, who then manned it by remote control. In 1899, 1,216 vessels used the harbor. From 1874 to 1899, 47,460 vessels used the harbor. The breakwall encompassed an area of 650 acres. The north pier length is 1,500 feet; the main pier, 4,575; and the south pier, 1,925; the north gap, 300 feet; and the main gap, 600 feet wide.