As we shuttled back and forth our supply of potable water ran low, and we were informed that we could not run up the lake to take on fresh water. Normally fresh water from the lake was run through the ship's filtration system, but certain areas were so polluted that the ships were not allowed to take on water. The southern end of Lake Michigan was one of those. As the potable water got low we could not shower and were limited to one basin of water a day for washing. The water supply to the toilets was turned off, so we had to drop five-gallon buckets over the side and get scummy, oily water out of the river for flushing. It was a filthy job, and we went for weeks without a shower.
After three awful weeks in this filth we finished the job and laid the Mather up as best we could. The ship was a mess and I pitied the poor guys who would fit her out next spring. Once we docked for layup hoses were run up from shore and we had fresh water for washing and could take a blessed shower.
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