Quite often you will find that I reference stories about my dad. This usually means I couldn't think of anything else to write for the day and he has supplied me with a vast treasure of interesting and/or humorous anecdotes over the years.
You may be a bit incredulous after reading the title of today's post, but I assure you, it is quite possible. Even though it took place before I was born, I was able to confirm this little escapade by talking to actual participants as well as reliable witnesses. The story unfolds thusly:
My dad, his brother in law, and another fellow were all in a boat fishing up at Lake Dubbonnet (French pronunciation, rhymes with, trebuchet.)near Traverse City. Other family member were fishing from shore and were witness to the spectacle that was soon to follow.
Deciding to move the boat, my dad went to start the outboard motor. After several futile yanks on the starting cord, he deduced that they were out of gas. No problem. He opened her up, poured in some gas, spilled a bit all over the motor, and set the gas can at his feet. He then put the cap back on the motor and gave the cord another yank or three. When the spark from the motor ignited the gas, he staggered back and knocked over the gas can.
Well, anyone that understands fire knows what is about to happen. My dad is one of these people. He tried to quickly re-position himself somewhere else in the boat that didn't contain gasoline that was about to burst into flames. (Onlookers would describe this as a mad dash towards the bow.)
It doesn't take a physics major to understand that adding an extra man to the front of a fourteen foot boat is going to change the displacement properties of said boat. As this displacement change took place, gasoline (being a liquid) proceeded to follow the new downward slope presented to it. This sequence of events, which took place in the span of a few short seconds, has been compared to a classic gag from Looney Tunes. Specifically, where Yosemite Sam leaves a trail of gunpowder behind him which Bugs Bunny lights and it chases him down.
My dad, seeing this parallel in person, decided the only logical course of action is to flip the boat over so the water would put out the flames. He quickly leaps up onto the gunnels of the boat which, in fact, caused it to flip. (The fact that the other two guys were hopping around like fleas on a hot griddle probably assisted him somewhat.)
So now all three guys and their gear are in the water. One of the other guys made it known that he had "saved" the anchor.
My dad then swam over to hold onto the boat until another boat could come to their aid. He basically tried to flop up on the boat. He wasn't able to stay there long though as the gasoline continued to burn on top of the water inside the inverted boat. He flung himself back off the boat and did his best to tread water until another boater picked them up. I honestly don't know if they ever recovered any gear besides the anchor.
Many of you are probably beginning to understand just how I came to be the person I am today.
Related Links
Some more good fish stories.
Funny if you're a physics major.
The right way to do fire on a boat.
