Tammy Raycraft,
Bruce Peninsula Press
A historic vessel that has called Tobermory home for years recently returned to the waters where its story began, reconnecting two Great Lakes communities separated by an international border.
The Dawn Light, a 135-year-old vessel originally built in 1891 as the Leroy Brooks, travelled from Tobermory to Middle Bass Island, Ohio, this summer with owner Dan Welsh and his son Glenn aboard.
For Welsh, the journey was years in the making.
After acquiring the vessel, Welsh was given two baskets filled with documents detailing its history, dating back to the day it was built.
“From that second on, I was hooked, totally!” Welsh said.
The records revealed the vessel’s connections to the Aburg, the Henry Stokes, the Dominion Sugar Company and, ultimately, the Leroy Brooks and its original owner, Count William Rehberg of Middle Bass Island.
Welsh said he soon wanted to take the Dawn Light back to Middle Bass Island, where the vessel was originally associated with the Rehberg family.
That goal became reality this summer.
The journey took Welsh and his son from Tobermory to Kincardine, Sarnia and through the St. Clair River, Lake St. Clair and the Detroit River before reaching Lake Erie and Middle Bass Island.
The vessel carried historic flags for the voyage, including a Canadian Red Ensign dating to 1891 and a 44-star American flag, representing the number of states in the United States when the Leroy Brooks was built.
As the Dawn Light approached U.S. waters. Welsh and his son encountered Jim and Sue Otton of Vermilion, Ohio, who were travelling to Middle Bass Island aboard their own vessel. The Ottons agreed to let the Dawn Light follow behind them as it crossed into U.S. waters for the first time since 1910.
Once in Middle Bass, Welsh and his son were welcomed by members of the community and descendants of the Rehberg family. Family members toured the vessel, while Welsh said the visit allowed them to experience places and history connected to the vessel’s original owner.
Welsh said the experience also highlighted the similarities between Middle Bass Island and Tobermory, as both are busy summer destinations with strong, longstanding families and communities committed to preserving their local history.
“The connection of the Dawn Light to Tobermory means to us, in short, everything!” Welsh said.
He also credited numerous people from Tobermory and the surrounding area for helping prepare the vessel for its historic voyage.
Welsh said the trip could become a biannual event, creating an ongoing connection between the communities.
“In a way, the Leroy Brooks, now the Dawn Light, are the connection between Middle Bass Island and Tobermory,” Welsh said.
