Thursday, November 17, 2011

Boaters Stranded On Lake

from the News-Standard, Friday, July 6, 1962

     The Tony Taberts and their two daughters, Christy and Paulette, with guests of colleen Tanneberg and Connie Adams, started out Sunday afternoon on a boating trip and picnic on Banks reservoir, and along the lake across from the "Million Dollar Cut" of the highway to CouleeDam they "debarked" for their picnic lunch.  a severe wind storm came up during the afternoon and the Taberts found it unsafe to start the return trip and remained on the west shore until about 5:30 Monday morning.
     When they didn't return at a reasonable time relatives became alarmed since the lake was becoming extremely rough and started a search for the boat.  It was sighted by the aid of field glasses and Perry Brown and Skip Conner taking Miles Adkins' Skagit 17, which was conveniently in the water, crossed the lake to make sure the boating party was not in trouble.  They found them tied up to shore and Tabert reported no motor trouble but that they had decided to wait out the storm before returning to Coulee City.  perry and Skip recrossed the lake near the "million dollar mile" where someone was waiting with a trailer to take their boat out of the water.
     Sheriff Cecil Gilman and Deputy Boyd Jenkins were in touch with the boat on the crossings by short wave radio.  so those on shore knew things were OK long before the rescue boat reached shore.
     With Coulee City residents usual concern for others, Jack Brown and Leonard Schultz drove up to the highest spot on the "million dollar cut" and blinked a light about every hour all night to let the Tebert party know they were being watched over.  Both parties returned home about 5:30 AM.
     The night was not as uncomfortable as it might have been as the taberts happened to have two sleeping bags and some beach towels for covering.  Fortunately the Tabert girls had overnight guests Saturday and two of the girls had decided to sleep in the boat in sleeping bags.  Mrs. Tabert, who is not an enthusiastic boatman, says she has had enough.

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