Robert Ryan

Robert Ryan was a lock tender.

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Adirondack Daily Enterprise Weekender, April 2, 1985

Evolution of the locks joining the Saranac River Locks

"...A lock tender was on duty during the boating season.

During the 1930's Robert "Poker" Ryan served in this capacity and among his many regulars was the team of Fred Rice and Martha Reben on their treks to Weller Pond which resulted in Martha's best seller The Healing Woods. Ryan remembers their initial trip when Martha had to be transported on a mattress while reclining in Fred's boat. In her book she tells of her miraculous recovery..."

...The same "Poker" Ryan, who was stationed at the upper locks some 35 years earlier, was now lock tender at the lower locks: One day during Ed Lamy's tenure as a lock tender a wealthy lady passenger in a boat being locked through somehow managed to drop a valuable diamond ring overboard. She begged Ed to find it. Ed feared that if he opened the wickets to drain the lock, the ring might be washed downstream and lost forever, but by keeping both gates and wickets closed the ring would surely remain in the confines of the lock.

In another boat waiting to enter the locks were a couple of young men whom Ed knew. He enlisted their services to dive for the ring. After repeated dives the boys brought up a book, three watches, a set of false teeth and finally the missing diamond ring.

Ed later claimed that he lived all winter on the generous reward received from the grateful lady."

For the full story, see Saranac River Locks.