Lake Superior
(original work created and written by Patricia and David
Emmert, based on the true story of the steamboat Superior
and the history of what occurred on October 29th, 1856)
The play begins with a single person onstage reading this
poem (character needs to recite it with an Irish accent, it would
be nice to have background music, whimsical in the
background)
POEM-How Long the Night (13th century)
“It is pleasant, indeed, while the summer lasts
with the mild peasants’ song….but now I feel the
northern winds blast-its severe weather strong.
Capt. Jones: Dear, I will return shortly. The lake ice will soon
clamp the lake and we will surely be closed by late November
Mabel: It’s only October, and I miss you terribly….. when you
are gone, I worry.
Jonathan: Father, I thought you had finished sailing for the
year?
Melissa: Yes Father, we heard you say it was getting too cold
to sail.
Capt. Jones: What? Too cold to sail? It is but the end of
October. I sailed up to the 12th of December in 1849.
(laughing)
Jonathan: We miss you when you’re gone.
Alas! Alas! This night seems so long! And I,
because of my momentous wrong
now grieve mourn and fast”
Capt. Jones: I’ll be back before the pelicans make roost (hugs
Mabel who has been distancing herself).
Scene 1: Captain Hiram J. Jones with wife and children
(dinner table-everyone is eating nothing is being said, and
finally, Capt. Jones says)
Capt. Jones: Aww, Melissa…
Capt. Jones: Your brisket is the best of the land
Capt. Jones: (looking over at Mabel) If your mother will
Mabel: (quietly) thank you, Hiram
Mabel: No…I’m
Melissa: (starts singing with Jonathan, then stops and turns to
her parents) Father, sing with us, oh, why don’t you and
mother sing together?
Melissa: It’s a small request
Melissa and Jonathan: PLEASE
Capt. Jones: I’ll start, “The Irish Rover” (and Mabel joins and
then children join in all huddled close holding one another-rest
of the cast joins in and sings)
Abigail: AJ, she was terrified of dying.
(English accents for the Fosters)
Abigail: Do we really know that?
Scene 2: Mr. A. J. Foster (survivor) with sister in a church
before their travels….
AJ: Of course, we know that!
A.J.: Abigail, Times have been difficult but I am pleased to be
together on this trip to see the city of Superior lake (awkward
silence).
AJ: She was suffering, and now she’s in a better place.
Abigail: Our mother was afraid of death, and I was not strong
enough to help.
AJ: What do you mean?
AJ: Perhaps this can be a time of healing?
Abigail: Well, I am just as terrified as she was; in fact, I might
even be more so.
Abigail: Yes Arthur, I hope it will be good. Things haven’t been
the same since mother (she stops abruptly and Arthur puts his
hand on her back).
AJ: Abby, you know we have followed a righteous path, and
that path leads us to heaven.
AJ: Abigail, you took the closest of care for Mother until her
end.
Abigail: You were absent. I was all alone! (ANGRY)
AJ: ……..(pause) Forgive me Abby,……………… I’m here
now.
Abigail: I cannot find who I am without her.
Abigail: Your faith is so strong; I have doubts and fears.
AJ: There is strength in doubt and fear, but one must also
have faith.
Scene change: a single person begins praying with
others joining:
Now I lay me down to sleep,
I pray the Lord my soul to keep,
AJ: Grief takes time.
His Love to guard me through the night,
Abigail: How long will these feelings and thoughts last?
And wake me in the morning's light.[1]
AJ: Weeks, Months, but we have much to look forward to in
our future (trying to cheer his sister).
Now I lay me down to sleep,
I pray the Lord my soul to keep,
thy angels watch me through the night,
And keep me safe till morning's light.[1]
Now I lay me down to sleep,
I pray the Lord my soul to keep,
If I should die before I wake,
Bless me Lord my soul to take.
[1]
Now I lay me down to sleep,
I pray the Lord my soul to keep.
Angels watch me through the night,
And wake me with the morning light.
Amen[2]
Now I lay me down to sleep,
I pray the Lord my soul to keep.
Guide me safely through the night,
Wake me with the morning light.
Kevin: I have maintained passes aboard the Superior; it sets
sail at 10 o’clock tomorrow.
Katherine: Kevin, I still feel as though we could have taken a
less expensive mode of travel.
Kevin: Katherine, don't worry so much. We have been through
a lot the past few years. It would be better to get to Superior
City before the weather becomes too harsh.
Patricia: I think I will enjoy this last leg of the trip tremendously.
Colleen: We are going to a new frontier, we know no one, and
we just arrived in a new country that I don't know. I am
apprehensive about starting our own business.
Patricia: Kevin has already traveled there and maintains that
the fur trade is viable and that seamstresses of our caliber are
non-existent.
Amen
Katherine: All of these things are true; I just worry about
spending what little money we have on expensive travel.
-The family will stand behind the people praying, with Kevin
entering….
Kevin: When mother and father passed, I was able to sell
enough of their land and possessions to secure safe travel and
start up this business of trade. We will do well for ourselves.
We will have to work hard, but we can do it.
(Mr. Minter and his four sisters: Katherine, Patricia, Colleen,
and Bridget are seamstresses, and they are emigrating from
Ireland to America. Their mother and father passed away in
Ireland. They are concerned about their financial future. They
know the fur trade.)
Patricia: Kevin, thank you for all that you have done to help us.
You have given so much of yourself by taking care of your
sisters.
Kevin: I am the one blessed. You four keep me alive.
(Looking curiously at Bridget.) Bridget, I cannot remember a
time when you were this quiet? Perhaps when you were in the
womb?
Bridget: Oh, Kevin, it appears your wit has no end.
Kevin: What is that in your hand?
Bridget: Just something I found.
Kevin: It seems as though it is a note.
During the scene change some kind of instrumental music that
is seaman like….playing in the background of most of the
scene-maybe even a sailor or man aboard the ship is playing
Scene 4: The boarding of the Superior at Sault Ste. Marie, at
the docks, Goodbyes to loved ones.
Boatsmen taking luggage, people hugging and waving,
boatsmen checking the rigging on the vessels
Bridget: It’s a poem that I've been memorizing; it reminds me
of Ireland and makes me think of the beautiful times with
Mama and Papa.
Kevin: Do my lovely sisters have everything?
Kevin: I did not know you were a strong reader?
Bridget: One day we will have men carrying trunks filled with
our petticoats and gowns that we didn't have to sew.
Bridget: Papa was able to spend some time with me in the
evenings and pass on some of his learnings. I am working on
learning new words and increasing my vocabulary. My
penmanship leaves much to be desired.
Kevin: Read us the poem, little sister, my smart little sister.
Bridget: An Irish Blessing: May the Irish Hills caress you
Colleen: We do not possess much, brother, so it’s truly not
hard to pack
Patricia: I do like your fantasies, Bridget.
Katherine: Come, let us board so that we can secure our
luggage.
Kevin: This will be a new beginning for us (all of them hug and
smile).
May the lakes and rivers bless you
May the luck of the Irish enfold you
As they are boarding, Mr. AJ Foster and sister start boarding.
May the blessings of St. Patrick behold
you
Patricia: That is a beautiful poem.
Abigail: AJ, this boat has seen many a trip.
AJ: Abby, you worry too much; all will be fine. Look! There is
the captain; perhaps he can calm your nerves. Captain, you
are an experienced sailor; my sister needs some reassurance
before the journey.
Capt. Jones: Madam, you have nothing to fear; it is late
October and the ship will sail late into November. Do not
worry the seas are still calm until early December.
Abigail: Have you lost any passengers?
Capt. Jones: No miss, I haven't, and I can assure you that you
are the most precious cargo on the ship.
(All passengers are in cabin; some are seated others are
playing musical instruments lightly in the background while
others are eating, unpacking whatever.)
(Stage right Mrs. Bennett and daughter are having a private
conversation while instrumentalist are behind them laughing
and singing.)
Mrs. Bennet: Are you comfortable?
Sue Bennett (daughter); Yes.
Melissa: Father!!! (runs up and hugs)
Mrs. Bennett: Are you hungry?
Capt. Jones: (To AJ and Abigail) Excuse me. (Turning to
Melissa and family.) What is this?
Sue Bennett: No.
Wife: We wanted to watch you set sail.
Jonathan: Father, here (Capt. Jones starts opening it). No
don't read it now; read it later.
Capt. Jones: Thank you for coming. I thought when we said
good bye last night that-
Mrs. Bennett: I have an apple.
Bridget: We know many songs.
Sue Bennett: No, mother, this is nice just being here looking
out at the water and listening to the laughter.
Mrs. Bennett: Yes, it is….I just want you to be happy.
Wife: Shhhhh, I needed to see you. I love you, and I'm proud
of you. It is tough to be the wife of a captain, but I wouldn't
have it any other way.
Sue Bennett: I am mother; I am.
Capt. Jones: I love you too.
Passenger: This is God’s country.
Scene 5: Music and dancing (something Irish from Mr. Minter
and his sister’s singing)
Father Benedict: Yes, well, I believe all is God’s country.
---------Music, then stage left is F..Benedict and a passenger---------------------------
Passenger: Of course,
Father…………….pause…………….when I saw you on the
steamboat, I breathed a sigh of relief. It’s always safer to be
traveling with one of God’s chosen.
Davis: Nearly 4 miles, Captain
Captain. Where are the boilers running?
Father Benedict: All of us are God’s chosen, just listen to
those angels singing behind us.
Davis: We started at a third, and I believe we are at two thirds.
(Bridget: Singing Irish Song, louder now with her other sisters
and brother joining in, lots of laughter and maybe some
impromptu dancing and the scene ends on a high note!)
Captain Jones: We will land on the Lee of Grand Island and
wait out the storm; there will be no problem. The Superior has
seen taller seas.
The music transitions from delightful to eerie with added
sounds of a storm (wind and thunder)
Davis: The wind is not in our favor for a Southern approach.
Scene 6: Capt. Jones notices gale winds, storm clouds (look
for direct quotes) sends passengers to cabin
Capt. Jones: Men, there looks to be trouble up ahead. The
wind is at 15 knots out of the Northwest.
Davis: The Lake is picking up. The waves are capping, and
the clouds are turning grey.
Capt Jones: It’s late October, Davis. I’ve navigated this lake
for a dozen years. If it was November, we would be in for a
storm, but the lake is too warm for an early winter gale.
Black out (Noises of wind and water crashing into the boat,
thunder and lightning in the background)
Davis: The lake’s at least 8 foot seas, Captain. There is no
end in sight. The North wind is pressing us south. I can see
the shore when the rain opens.
Captain: How far to Grand Island?
Capt. Jones: I will manage the course. You head to the boilers
and alert the men that we need all the reserves that we can.
Fill the boilers and then fill them again. We’ll need everything
this boat has.
Black out noises persist. Captain Jones and Davis are joined
by another hand.
Captain Jones: The wind has changed to the west. the seas
are breaking over the bow. How much water is below deck?
Davis: Half a fathom, sir. A full fathom puts the boilers in
jeopardy.
Captain Jones: Davis, can you distinguish the shore?
Davis: No, sir. The West wind is encouraging, but the seas are
still driving the craft south.
Captain Jones: Charles, we need the cabin staff to move to
the foredeck.
Charles: All of the staff, sir?
Captain Jones: Yes, tell the passengers to make themselves
easy. Then, throw over the deck load. We need all the
Superior’s draft.
Sue: Sure, Mother.
Charles: All of the boat’s freight, sir?
Abigail: I feel ill; the waves seem to be growing larger and
larger
Captain Jones: Start with the heavy dried goods, then move
the salt and meats mid-ship. No more questions, gents; let us
keep this boat upright.
Father Bennedict: Our father, who art in heaven…
Sailor’s prayer for interludeNow I lay me down to sleep,
I pray the Lord my soul to keep,
His Love to guard me through the night,
And wake me in the morning's light.[1]
Now I lay me down to sleep,
I pray the Lord my soul to keep,
thy angels watch me through the night,
And keep me safe till morning's light.[1]
AJ: Abigail, you look unsettled?
Father Bennedict and passengers: Hallowed be thy name. Thy
kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.
(During this transition, the crescendo of chaos will be building,
under the scene is the Our Father and added to that is the
Irish Rover…then more)
Scene 8: Capt. Jones and crew and passengers go under with
the ship-Sometime within the scene Capt. Jones reads the
note given to him by his son….
Black out noises persist, deck hands are shouting and
throwing cargo over board. Then, the sound of wood cracking
and breaking.
Davis and Charles run into the pilot house.
Davis: The rudder.
Scene 7: Passengers in cabin, A. J. Foster trying to calm the
women and children
Charles: We lost her, sir.
Bridget: Is everything alright?
Captain Jones: The helm is lost. (Silence)
Kevin: I’m sure the storm will pass.
Davis: Captain?
Mrs. Bennett: See, listen to the nice man; he looks like he
knows a bit about things.
Captain Jones: We struck a reef; we have no helm; we have
no rudder. We need to aim for the lee of Grand Island.
Charles: We are adrift, and the shore surely is approaching.
Black out noise persists. All staff is now in the pilot house.
Captain Jones: Charles, James, and Mark help the women
and children.
James: Help? The transom can’t take this abuse. She won’t
hold! The boilers are out. We are half sunk, and we all need to
abandon this boat.
Captain Jones: (Grabbing James) This crew stays with this
ship.
Charles: Sir, what are your orders?
Captain Jones. Help the women and their children. Inform
them the shore is close, and they must abandon ship. Davis
and Matthews stay with the safe, and if the boat heels hard,
move the safe. Chaps, we will stick to the wreck. All of the
crew stays with his ship.”
Black out- noise more yelling. Every passenger is on the main
deck. A large wave hits, and they think the boat is going over.
They all run to the opposite rail. The crew starts the
evacuation.
(This transition will be a combination of many things going on
at the same time-the sailors prayer will be heard, the Our
Father will be heard, the Irish Rover will be heard-it will be
chaotic and abstract with strobe like lighting….loud noises,
some yells, thunder, wind and beautiful movement with fabric-)
Scene 9: Ship goes down, not a lot of dialogue, music with the
visual image of the ship, some yelling, some creepy singing,
lighting, and lots of crashing of waves on rocks and thunder.
LINES THROUGHOUT THE SCENE:
PERSON: Our Father, who art in heaven…
PERSON: The Superior was 191 feet long and 28 feet wide.
Person: This crew stays with the ship!
Person: Now I lay me down to sleep, and pray to God my soul
will keep.
(Black out clear stage and then three people reading news
articles)
Scene 10:
NEWSPAPER REPORT READ
Newspaper articles:
Detroit Tribune reports on November 12, 1856 “The
steamer, Superior, with Capt. Jones, from Chicago to
Superior City and intermediate ports is lost. She passed
through the canal, bound up, Oct. 29th, and it is supposed
that she went down the next day or night, somewhere
near Grand Island, with all on board.”
(Fix these to suit our needs)
Final scenes for Lake Superior
Scene 11:
Mabel: Well, you look beautiful.
Capt. Jones: (as a ghost) She does look beautiful doesn't she?
Jonathan: Well, we sail next week. I believe I will not have to
even wash, as long as I can manage to stay away from any
clumsy drunks at the reception.
Melissa: There had better not be any drunks at the reception.
Melissa: Mom, thank you. I know it has not been easy.
Mabel: Today is about you, dear. You will start your life with
your husband today.
Melissa: Husband, it seems odd to think of Harold as my
husband.
Mabel: Well, Dear, here is something borrowed. It’s a pendant
your father gave me when I last saw him before Superior went
down.
Melissa: Mom, I cannot.
Mabel: It’s only borrowed. I get it back after the ceremony.
Jonathan: I was referring to the girl I have been courting. You
will get to meet her tonight, and she is rather nervous.
Mabel: Well, your father would probably have been a lot
tougher on her then I. I am sure she is delightful (Capt. Jones
shakes his head affirmatively behind her)
Melissa: Mom, I know how tough and humble you are, but I
would like to share something with you. Both Jonathan and I
are grateful for all that you have done for us. I do not know
how you were able to get through father's death and still
create such a loving home. I know I'm moving out and
Jonathan has his first sail, but we want you to know that you
have given us so much. We want you to come and stay with
Harold and me. We don't want you to be alone.
Jonathan: Knock, knock.....is the bride ready to be walked
down the aisle?
Mabel: I am not tough. I did what had to be done. You two
have been a blessing and have given me a reason to
live. Besides, I am not alone. Thank you for the offer, but I
have a modest place by the water that I enjoy. You will also
want me to have my own place to keep my grandchildren
when you are tired or pregnant.
Mabel: Your father would be proud to have you stand in for
him. You look great in your uniform.
Melissa: I wish Father was here to share this moment. I love
Capt. Jones places his hands on her shoulders, and Mabel
touches them.
you both so much.
Mabel: Oh, he knows.
Jonathan: Yes, I can feel him when I'm out on the water.
(Everyone hugs, and Jonathan starts to lead his sister out of
the room.)
Jonathan: I think I hear the wedding music start up.
Buffalo Daily Republic reports on Saturday November 15,
1856 “The Loss of the steamer Superior, in Lake Superior,
is but too true. The dispatch says that she was wrecked
off Pictorial Rocks and 35 lives were lost. Only 19 saved,
among whom the only officers were the mate and the
engineer.”
Scene 12:
Kevin, Bridget and Patricia at the four sisters fur trade
Kevin: Patricia, did you complete the Smith order?
Melissa: I think I'm ready.
Patricia: Yes, they should be done today. The furs are in that
box, and the total sale purchase is on the ticket in the box.
Jonathan: Yes, sis. You look beautiful, but that is the last time I
will say it, so enjoy the moment.
Kevin: Thank you.
Capt. Jones: You will be a beautiful grandmother.
Mabel: Thank you.
Bridget: Kevin, I need to get some more supplies. @e are
running low. Is there anything I can get for you?
(The two stop and turn.)
Kevin: I am sure I need something. Give me a minute to think.
Melissa: Mom did you say something.
Bridget: Kevin, I would like to leave soon.
Reporter:
Kevin: Certainly, perhaps if you were unwilling to wait the
polite amount of time for me to collect my thoughts, then you
had no intention of picking up anything for me?
Two gentlemen walk in.
Customer 1: This is the coldest it’s been in November since as
long as I can remember. The Lake has been violent with its
storms.
Customer 1: Good morning to you.
Customer 2: We had a pick up for Smith.
Kevin: Yes, here it is.
Customer 1: How long have you been in business?
Kevin: 8 years and 4 months.
Bridget: I think about 9 years ago was the coldest and most
violent on record.
Customer 1: I don't know about that.
Bridget: Well, I do.
Kevin: I am sorry. The Lake was rather cruel to our family 9
years back aboard the Superior. We lost two of our sisters on
our way here.
Customer 2: I find the name endearing, "The Four Sisters Fur
Trade." Are the four sisters all in the sewing trade?
Customer 1: I am so sorry.
Bridget: They all were. (awkward silence)
Customer 2: So sorry.
Customer 1: (pause) The weather we are having is frightful.
(The two dead sisters are standing behind Bridget trying to
calm her.)
Customer 2: These furs will keep us alive as we travel.
Patricia: We love America, and we have had our tragedies but
we have been blessed with lots of work to keep our hands
busy. Idle hands are the sins of the mind.
There were many who sacrificed so that we could live here
Kevin: Yes, it is cold.
and be rewarded for our hard work. When things become
tough to handle, we think about that.
Buffalo Commercial Advertiser reports on January 31
1857 “Steamer Superior, cargo and supplies and
passengers, lost rudder and drifted ashore on Lake
Superior, in a severe gale, total loss 35 lives.”
st
Scene 13:
(AJ Foster is old and having a difficult time moving. He is
coughing and feels as though he is going to die.)
AJ: Abigail, I am so afraid. I have spent my life trying to do
right by the death of mother and you. I was absent for
mother's death, and I was unable to save you. I am afraid. I
do not want to die. I do not want to be alone.
Abigail: AJ, you are not alone. You have never been alone.
Bringing everyone together at the end…spotlights on
vignettes, everyone who has passed…something like
that…fading in and out with lights and layers of
talking/singing/ending with a song in 4-part harmony
When peace, like a river, attendeth my way,
When sorrows like sea billows roll;
Whatever my lot, Thou hast taught me to say,
It is well, it is well with my soul.

Refrain:
It is well with my soul,
It is well, it is well with my soul.
Don’t Forget your old ship mate
Or create an original, acapella
AJ: I have become delusional in my final stages.
Abigail: AJ, you are not imagining this. I am here, and you are
ready. We are both here.
Scene 14: ABSTRACT (combination of
lines/songs/storm/newsarticles/prayers/blessings/poem)
EVERYONE singing “It is well with my soul” and slowly the
lights go out on everyone with just a few singing alone and
then just one singing…………..