The Search for the Hovland Fishermen

Lake Superior can be beautiful and inspiring, but it also has its share of tragic stories. The commercial fishermen who made a living on the North Shore were particularly at risk - especially when caught in a storm offshore while checking their nets. 

The story of two Hovland fishermen still resonates after over 60 years. Their names were Carl Hammer and Helmer Aakvik. Carl was a second generation Hovland fisherman and Helmer was originally from Norway. Their lives were intertwined as neighboring fishermen, as well as the events of a November storm in 1958. 

This feature was produced by Martha Marnocha and the Cook County Historical Society in collaboration with WTIP and the Minnesota Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund.

For more photos and information on Carl Hammer and Helmer Aakvik, click on "Slideshow" above. Photographs and newspaper excerpts are from the Cook County Historical Society archives.