Black November author attends Bradley memorial

Ferris State University professor and author Andrew Kantar was in attendance Saturday at The Great Lakes Lore Maritime Museum?s bell ringing ceremony in honor of the SS Carl D. Bradley and her crew. Kantar recently published his book Black November, which is a non-fictional account of November 18, 1958 ? the day the Bradley broke in half and sank to the bottom of Lake Michigan, taking the lives of 33 crewmen.

KANTAR SAID he was attracted to the story of the Bradley because of its human element. ?As I combed through newspaper archives and library microfilm, what unfolded was a drama of unimaginable loss and grief,? said Kantar. ?(It is) a tale of courage and survival, and remarkable testimony to human endurance, and the resiliency of the human spirit.? The tragic loss of the Bradley impacted the community of Rogers City severely, with 23 of the 33 crewman calling Rogers City ?home.? In 1958, the story of the Bradley attracted full coverage from various media; however, it was soon ?forgotten.? ?I was amazed to discover that relatively little had been written on this incredible story,? said Kantar. ?Here was the largest ship to ever sink in Lake Michigan, and it took with it 33 lives. I was so touched by the pain the families endured, and was moved by the sheer magnitude of loss. It was indeed a powerful story of human tragedy.?

Because Kantar is not a nautical expert, he had local historian Mark Thompson read the transcript of Black November before publishing. As a self-proclaimed storyteller, Kantar said he took careful precautions when it came to writing a story based on factual events.

?SINCE THIS story is nonfiction, I must make sure what I write is historically accurate and technically sound from the nautical perspective,? said Kantar. ?When I tell the story, I?m always acutely aware of the sensitive terrain of human emotion?I want the families to feel their story was told fairly, sensitively, and with compassion.? Kantar said his experience with technical writing and young-adult literature enabled him to adapt t

his story to a broader audience. He first presented his idea to his editor at MSU Press more than two years ago. His editor told him to ?forge ahead,? and Kantar continued to write for about two and a half years. ?I suppose I would say I took a journalistic approach with my research,? said Kantar. ?Naturally, I gathered all I could from library microfilm, newspaper articles, numerous books and articles on the subject, as well as governmental reports. Perhaps most poignant for me?are the interviews with the families of those lost. I am always grateful when people are willing to talk to me about such painful memories.?

Besides Black November, Kantar also wrote 29 Missing: The True and Tragic Story of the Disappearance of the SS Edmund Fitzgerald, published by the MSU Press in 1998. He is currently working on his third book about the Daniel J. Morrell. Black November is available for purchase at major bookstores, and online at www.msupress.msu.edu. Or call (517) 355-9543.