Michigan City's worst nautical event took place in 1933. The day after the community had been gifted with a white Christmas, the holiday atmosphere turned to mourning as the result of a harbor accident that claimed the lives of four commercial fishermen. About 6:30 a.m., when the four-year-old, 45-foot tug Martha set out for the lake, there was a dead calm - not even enough wind to blow the snow off the pier. After the boat was out in the lake a terrific blow - estimated at 60 miles an hour - developed. Barometers had not indicated the approaching storm and it later was described as "a freak blow." Capt. Walter Biddle operated the tug on shares and ran the business independently of the Ludwig Fish Co., owner of the 45-foot gas launch. Other crew members were Anthony Gaytka, William Kelmmeek and Walter Markowski. Capt. David Furst, then in charge of the Michigan City Coast Guard station, reported: "We first sighted the boat about 11 o'clock when she was coming out of the northeast. She was about 300 to 400 feet off the entrance of the harbor when she passed behind the lighthouse and was out of sight for a minute. "I don't suppose the real cause of the accident will ever be known. (Source: http://www.mclib.org/lakefron.htm)
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FOUR PERSONS DROWN WHEN FISHING BOAT GOES DOWN IN LAKE
Michigan City, Ind. Dec 26 - (AP)

Four men were drowned in Lake Michigan shortly afternoon today when a fishing tug suddenly sank as it entered the harbor here.
Names of those who perished aboard the boat were not available at once but it was believed Walter Biddle, captain of the tug, was among them.
The lookout in the coast guard tower said he saw the tug some distance away and that it appeared to be in distress. He said it appeared to stop and then suddenly sank. The boat was under water before the coast guard rescue squad reached it.
The coast guard authorities expressed the tug may have struck a breaker or some ice and that part of its side was ripped away.
The tug was owned by the Ludwig Fishing company of Michigan City. (Source: Kokomo Tribune, Kokomo, Indiana, Vol XLVI - No. 79. Tues Dec 26, 1933, Page 1)
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EIGHT LIVES LOST AS TUGS SINK IN LAKE
South Haven, Mich., Dec 26 (AP)

Whipped into a fury by the worst storm in years, the waters of eastern Lake Michigan claimed eight lives today as two fishing tugs foundered, carrying their crews to their deaths within sight of the shore and safety.
First to capsize was the "Martha," which sank off the Michigan City, Ind. lighthouse. Four men perished.
A few hours later the tug "Bremen" sank 300 rods from shore south of the South Haven breakwater. By the time Coast Guardsmen who saw the Bremen founder could put out their boat, the high seas had left no trace of the craft nor her crew of four.
The men who went down with the Martha were: Tony Gaytke, 21; Walter Biddle, 60; William Klemick 23, and Walter Markowski, 20, all of Michigan City.
Those who perished with the Bremen were Albert Balow, 40, the master and owner; his son Frank, about 19; Erwin Carter, 40, and Harry Stevens, 40, all of South Haven.
Coast Guardsmen here reported that the Tuscarora, another fishing tug, was beached late today 20 miles south of South Haven. The crew of three swam ashore through icy breakers, and were taken to Benton Harbor, five miles south. (Source: Kokomo Tribune, Kokomo, Indiana, Vol XLVI - No. 80. Weds Dec 27, 1933, Page 10)
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Find Victim's Body
Michigan City, Ind., Aug 20. (AP)

The body of Captain Walter Biddle, who drowned last December 26 with three other men when their fishing tug capsize in Lake Michigan during a storm, was washed ashore here today. One other body, that of Walter Klemick of Michigan City, has not been recovered. (Source: Kokomo Tribune, Kokomo, Indiana, Vol XLVI - No. 293. Mon Aug 20, 1934, Page 8)