As we enter the year 2020, it is crucial that we keep a watchful eye on the rise of witch hunts within society. While we may often associate witch hunts with the infamous Salem Witch Trials of the late 17th century, it is essential to recognize that this dangerous phenomenon continues to exist in modern times. A witch hunt can be defined as the persecution or harassment of individuals based on unfounded and often irrational beliefs or accusations. Historically, witch hunts were fueled by religious hysteria and a desire to root out perceived threats to the status quo. These hunts resulted in the wrongful torture and execution of countless innocent people, mainly women. However, the concept of a witch hunt has evolved over the years and can manifest itself in various forms.
The Mataafa continued into the night. But when the storm intensified to 60 mph winds, the ship could no longer make any forward progress. Captain Humble turned around to head back to Duluth.
She comes from the remote planet Mercury with a tragic backstory that we learn about from the prologue that was a banger that had no business going that hard. Throughout this first offering of episodes, Suletta goes on to battle the three heirs to the three branches of the Benreit Group Guel, Shaddiq, and Elan and it is a thrilling ride with all the teenage hormones and discoveries against a backdrop of angst caused by parents and political undermining.
However, the concept of a witch hunt has evolved over the years and can manifest itself in various forms. In 2020, we must be vigilant in identifying instances where an individual or group becomes the target of unjust scrutiny and condemnation. One aspect of modern witch hunts is the phenomenon of online "cancel culture.
The Witch of November 1905, Lake Superior’s Mataafa Storm
Lake Superior is notorious for deadly November storms. Perhaps the worst was the Mataafa Storm of 1905, when 36 lives were lost, and 29 vessels were damaged or destroyed.
“Witches” are the name mariners have for the autumn storms that frequently occur across the Great Lakes. A witch is a strong wind with much stronger gusts. These events are at their worst in November when the frigid arctic winds chaotically rush in to fill the low atmospheric pressure of the warmer Great Lakes. Gordon Lightfoot lyrically describes such a storm in The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald (I bet you can’t read the lyrics without singing the song in your head).
The wind in the wires made a tattle-tale sound
And a wave broke over the railing
And every man knew, as the captain did too
T'was the witch of November come stealin'
The dawn came late and the breakfast had to wait
When the gales of November came slashin'
When afternoon came it was freezin' rain
In the face of a hurricane west wind
As such, November has a cruel reputation on the Great Lakes, especially Lake Superior. The annual collision of high and low-pressure systems creates the potential for terrifying gales and precipitation, sometimes reaching hurricane force.
A storm had blown over Lake Superior on November 24, 1905, with 60 mph winds. Most ships were tucked safely away in their harbors, waiting out the blow. When the skies cleared, captains rushed to get their boats out for the final runs of the season. Weather forecasting was in its infancy, and in its place, maritime folklore determined that one storm would never follow on the heels of another.
The SS William Edenborn towing the barge Madeira had passed through the Soo Locks on November 26 and was headed west across Superior for a load of iron ore. But by suppertime the next day, Captain A.J. Talbot and his crew were battling 60 mph winds “with snow beating down so thick and so fierce that one could not hold his face to the storm a moment,” First Mate William Hormig would later say.
SS Edenborn aground after the storm. Credit: Wikipedia. Public Domain.
For the next 12 hours, they battled through the waves and wind, which gusted to 80 mph. Hurricane-force winds begin at 74 mph. In the blinding nighttime snow and absence of modern technology, the captain and crew overshot the safety of the Apostle Islands, located near the Wisconsin-Michigan border. At 3:30 am on November 28, a loud crack like a rifle shot was heard. The Edenborn suddenly lurched forward. The tow cable between the two vessels had snapped. The unpowered barge Madeira and its crew were adrift in the storm.
Captain Talbot would later testify that the snow was so thick they could see only half the length of the ship, and waves were “piling over her stern in volumes of solid water.” In 1905, primary communication between vessels was ship whistles and megaphones, useless in the howling winds. Given the danger of the powerful wind and waves and the proximity of the barge, Talbot traveled forward for an hour before giving the call to turn back for the Madeira. But just then, a tremendous sound was heard. The Edenborn had run aground at the cliffs on Minnesota’s shore. The wrecked vessel did not sink. One sailor lost his life falling into a damaged hold during the storm, but the rest survived.
The Edenborn’s barge, Madeira, drifted at the mercy of the storm until it also crashed headlong into Minnesota’s cliffs. As the barge repeatedly hit and broke against the high cliffs, death for the crew was imminent. However, one sailor put a coil of rope around him, and when the ship struck the rocks again, he jumped onto the wet and slippery cliff. With the storm still raging and in the dark of night, he scrambled his way up through the rock, ice, and snow. He lowered the rope to his mates. All but one were saved.
Stern view of the Mataafa broken in two. Credit: Go to Don. The UpNorth Memories Guy. Flickr. Creative Commons.
The day before, on November 27, at 5:00 pm, the SS Mataafa left Duluth, Minnesota, with a load of iron ore, towing the barge, James Nasmyth. An hour later, already strong winds increased to 44 mph sustained winds.
The Mataafa continued into the night. But when the storm intensified to 60 mph winds, the ship could no longer make any forward progress. Captain Humble turned around to head back to Duluth.
Like the other ships' captains that night, Humble was sailing blind for hours. By a stroke of providence, a brief reprieve in the storm revealed Duluth’s harbor lights. As the two vessels approached the harbor, Humble realized it would be impossible to navigate both vessels through the harbor’s narrow entrance canal in the high waves. He cut the Nasmyth and its crew loose, leaving them to the mercy of the storm. Humble then tried to bring the Mataafa into port, a disastrous decision. With the lack of modern communications, Humble couldn’t have known two ships had already attempted to “shoot the chute” with catastrophic results.
Now in the early light of day, Humble charged the canal at full speed, perhaps thinking speed would give him control in the turbulent sea. Instead, the waves lifted and turned the Mataafa from its course, crashing it into the north pier. Undeterred, Humble tried again and struck the pier again. The waves now dragged the disabled vessel back out to sea. Humble called to let go the anchors. They did not set, and the ship beached 700 feet offshore. The ship’s hull had cracked open, and the crew was forced on deck in the storm as the Mataafa settled into the water.
Humble shouted through the megaphone for help, but his words were lost in the storm. Even if he had been heard, the life-saving crew was busy with one of the earlier wrecks. The 24 men had no choice but to wait until rescuers could reach them.
Crowds gathered from the news of multiple ship wrecks. On photographer caught the Mataafa striking Duluth Harbor’s north pier. Credit: Go to Don. The UpNorth Memories Guy. Flickr. Creative Commons.
That day, an estimated 10,000 onlookers crowded the shoreline as rescue efforts were carried out for the Mataafa. Fifteen crew members were rescued. Five of the nine who perished were frozen to the deck. One had to be cut out of the ice. The notoriety of the Mataafa rescue is how the storm was named. The barge, James Nasmyth and its crew, that Humble had cut loose, survived the storm. The Nasmyth continued its service until it was scrapped in 1984.
In the Mataafa Storm of 1905, the witch of November crashed eleven vessels into the 47-mile stretch of Minnesota cliffs between Split Rock and Duluth. The SS Ira H. Own and its 14 crew members disappeared without a trace near the Apostle Islands. Some have reported sighting it as a ghost ship. Thirty-six sailors lost their lives in the Mataafa Storm, and some 29 vessels were damaged or destroyed.
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" This phenomenon involves the public shaming and ostracism of individuals who are deemed to have made inappropriate or offensive remarks. While it is essential to hold people accountable for their actions, it is also crucial to distinguish between genuine instances of wrongdoing and moments of speech that may be taken out of context or misconstrued. Another form of witch hunt that we must be mindful of in 2020 is the defamation of character based on political or ideological differences. With the rise of social media and the echo chambers it creates, individuals are increasingly targeted for expressing opinions that go against popular sentiment. This form of witch hunt stifles free speech and inhibits meaningful dialogue. To combat the witch hunts of 2020, we must foster a culture that values critical thinking, empathy, and open-mindedness. It is essential to challenge assumptions and question the motives behind accusations and condemnations. By advocating for fairness and justice, we can create an environment that is less prone to witch hunts and more conducive to the growth and progress of society. In conclusion, as we venture into the new year, we must remain vigilant to the threat of witch hunts in 2020. By recognizing and challenging instances of unjust scrutiny and condemnation, we can help build a society that values fairness, justice, and open dialogue. Let us not repeat the mistakes of history and instead strive for a more enlightened and inclusive future..
Reviews for "False Memory Syndrome and the Witch Hunt in 2020"
- James - 2 stars - While the concept of "Keep watch over the witch hunt in 2020" seemed intriguing, I found the execution lacking. The plot was confusing and poorly developed, making it difficult to fully understand what was happening. Additionally, the characters were flat and uninteresting, making it hard to connect with them on any level. Overall, I was disappointed with this book and wouldn't recommend it.
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- Michael - 2 stars - I couldn't get into "Keep watch over the witch hunt in 2020". The pacing was slow and the narrative was convoluted, making it difficult to stay engaged. The writing lacked polish and finesse, with awkward sentence structures and repetitive phrases. Additionally, the themes explored in the book felt forced and contrived, failing to make any meaningful impact. Overall, I was disappointed by this novel and wouldn't recommend it to others.
- Emma - 2 stars - "Keep watch over the witch hunt in 2020" had an interesting premise, but it failed to deliver. The story felt disjointed and confusing, with plotlines that never fully came together. The characters lacked depth and their motivations were unclear. The writing style was also awkward and detracted from the overall reading experience. I had high hopes for this book, but sadly, it fell short for me.