Today in Great Lakes History - September
Today in Great Lakes History - September 01
On 01 September 1891, EDWARD H JENKS (wooden propeller freighter, 119 foot
over all, 180 gross tons, built in 1882 at Port Dover, Ontario as the
passenger/package freight steamer E M FOSTER) was carrying limestone up the Detroit
River during a foggy night when she collided with GEORGE W MORLEY (wooden
propeller freighter, 193 foot, 1045 gross tons, built in 1888 at W. Bay City,
Michigan) in a misunderstanding of passing signals. Three were killed in the
collision and the JENKS quickly sank at Ballard Reef on the Detroit River. Her cargo
kept her in place until she was recovered the following month and rebuilt.
Tragedy struck four days after the launch of the AGAWA CANYON, September 1,
1970, when the ship was rocked by an engine room explosion killing one of the
crew and injuring seven more. The AGAWA CANYON entered service in November,
1970. New engines were fitted in 1975, equipped with four 10 cylinder, two stroke
cycle, single acting opposed piston diesel engines, built in 1970 by
Fairbanks, Morse (Canada), Kingston, Ontario. Total bhp 6,680. Rated service speed:
12 knots (13.8 mph).
The TEMPLE BAR (Hull#101G) was launched September 1, 1970 at Govan, Scotland
by the Govan Division of Upper Clyde Shipbuilders Ltd. for Lambert Bros.
(Shipping) Ltd., London, England. Renamed b.) LAKE NIPIGON in 1977 and d.) 1986,
c.) LAKETON in 1984 and d.) ALGONORTH in 1987.
Upon her arrival at Quebec City on September 1, 1962, the LAKE WINNIPEG was
the first vessel of the Nipigon Transport Ltd. (Carryore Ltd., mgr.) fleet.
The self-unloader B H TAYLOR (Hull#787) was launched September 1, 1923 at
Lorain, Ohio by American Ship Building Co., the third self-unloader built for the
Bradley Transportation Co., Rogers City, Michigan. Renamed b.) ROGERS CITY
(2) in 1957. Scrapped at Recife, Brazil in 1988.
From September 1, 1947 to September 15, 1959 the U.S.C.G.C. MESQUITE was
stationed at Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan
On 1 September 1854, ABIAH (2-mast wooden schooner or brig, 134 foot, 353
tons, built in 1848 at Irving, New York) was sailing light from Chicago, Illinois
to Oconto, Wisconsin when she capsized and sank in a squall about 10 miles
off Sheboygan, Wisconsin. The schooner L LUDDINGTON rescued her crew and 2
passengers.
The 135 foot wooden schooner JOSEPH E SPARROW was launched at Bangor,
Michigan on 1 September 1873.
On 1 September 1900, the Canadian steamer ADVANCE (wooden propeller package
freighter, 168 foot, 1178 gross tons, built in 1884 at St. Catharines, Ontario)
was placed in service. In August 1899, when she was named SIR S L TILLEY, she
had caught fire off shore, about 7 miles from Fairport, Ohio and was
destroyed. However, the hull was later recovered and used as the basis of the steamer
ADVANCE. She lasted in this role until 1903 when she burned again.
September 1, 1919 - A switchman was killed in the yard at Manitowoc,
Wisconsin while the ANN ARBOR NO 6 was being loaded. This caused a delay of four hours
in her sailing time.
September 1, 1931 - W.L. Mercereau retired as superintendent of steamships, a
position he had held since 1899.
Data from: Max Hanley, Joe Barr, David Swayze, Mike Nicholls, Father Dowling Collection,
James Neumiller, Jody L. Aho, Ahoy & Farewell II and the Great Lakes Ships We
Remember series
This is a small sample, the books include many other vessels with a much more
detailed history
Today in Great Lakes History - September 02
On 02 September 1902, the White Star Line’s TASHMOO (steel side-wheel
excursion steamer, 308 foot, 1344 gross tons, built in 1900 at Wyandotte, Michigan)
hosted President Theodore Roosevelt when he came to Detroit, Michigan to speak
to Spanish American War veterans. The vessel took the president and his party
on a sight seeing tour up and down the river while flying the president’s
blue and gold flag from the main mast.
The BROOKNES (Hull #1177) was launched on September 2, 1970 at Glasgow,
Scotland by Lithgows Ltd. for "Langra" Schiffahrsges G.m.b.H. & Co., Hamburg,
Germany. Brought to the Lakes in 1976, converted to a self-unloader and renamed
b.) ALGOSEA (1) and sails today as c.) SAUNIERE.
ROBERT KOCH's first trip was on September 2, 1977 up the Welland Canal bound
for Buffalo with cement.
The W F WHITE was one of the earliest ships built as a self-unloader on the
Great Lakes. On her maiden voyage September 2, 1915 the WHITE loaded coal at
Erie, Pennsylvania and sailed for Menominee, Michigan. She was the largest
self-unloading bulk carrier on the Lakes at that time with a cargo capacity of
10,500 tons.
The RALPH H WATSON departed light September 2, 1938 from Detroit, Michigan
upbound to load iron ore at Duluth, Minnesota. She was built as part of a fleet
modernization plan for the Pittsburgh Steamship Co., Cleveland, Ohio. of four
new "GOVERNOR MILLER' class bulk carriers, the other two were the JOHN HULST
and the WILLIAM A IRVIN. The WATSON was only the fourth steam turbine powered
vessel on the Lakes
HUBERT GAUCHER ran aground in the lower St. Lawrence on September 2, 1988. It
took three tugs to free her, repairs took place at Quebec City.
ZIEMIA TARNOWSKA lost her engine while docking at Pier 24 in Cleveland,
ramming the dock and caused about $100,000 in damage on September 2, 1988. The
Polish vessel had minimal damage to her bulbous bow.
On 2 September 1851, BUNKER HILL (wooden sidewheeler, 154 foot, 457 tons,
built in 1835 at Black River, Ohio) burned to a total loss at Tonawanda, New York.
The COLONEL ELLSWORTH (wooden schooner, 138 foot, 319 gross tons, built in
1861 at Euclid, Ohio as a bark) was beached on Whitefish Point in Lake Superior
the entire winter of 1895-96. She was repaired and put back into service late
in the summer of 1896. Then, on 2 September 1896, the newly rebuilt vessel
collided with the schooner EMILY B MAXWELL about 6 miles from White Shoals on
Lake Michigan and sank at about 4:00 AM. Her crew escaped in the yawl and was
picked up by the MAXWELL.
Data from: Joe Barr, David Swayze, James Neumiller, Jody L. Aho, Ahoy &
Farewell II and the Great Lakes Ships We Remember series
This is a small sample, the books include many other vessels with a much more
detailed history
Today in Great Lakes History - September 03
On 03 September 1899, the Great Lakes Towing company’s RED CLOUD (wooden
propeller tug, 62 foot, 40 gross tons, built in 1883 at Buffalo, New York) was
sailing on Lake Erie for Lorain, Ohio when a storm forced her to head for port at
Cedar Point, Ohio. However she was thrown on a reef and broke in two – a
total loss. The crew made it to Sandusky, Ohio.
On September 3 the BELLE RIVER (now WALTER J MCCARTHY JR) set a then Great
Lakes record for coal when it loaded 62,802 tons of coal at Superior Midwest En ergy Terminal on its maiden voyage. This record has since been surpassed many
times.
.
At Lorain, Ohio keel laying ceremonies for the 437 foot bow section of the
ROGER BLOUGH (Hull#900) took place on September 3, 1968 and was float launched
December 21, 1968 less ballast tanks because the existing dry dock wasn’t wide
enough to accommodate her 105 foot width.
SOODOC (b) AMELIA DESGAGNES ) on her maiden voyage from Collingwood, Ontario,
she loaded salt at Goderich, Ontario on September 3, 1976.
The SEWELL AVERY was laid up for the last time September 3, 1981 at Superior,
Wisconsin.
The THOMAS W LAMONT was laid up for the last time at Duluth’s Hallett dock
#6A on September 3, 1981.
The H.H PORTER sailed on her maiden voyage for the Brier Hill Steamship Co.
(Pickands, Mather, mgr.) on September 3, 1920, light from Lorain, Ohio to load
iron ore at Two Harbors, Minnesota. Renamed b.) WALTER E WATSON in 1957 and
c.) NATIONAL TRADER in 1973.
On September 3, 1985, PHILIP R CLARKE plowed into the Drawbridge Cove Marina
in Lorain's Black River damaging 5-10 small craft and sinking one at the steel
dock. CLARKE managed to stop before hitting the Route 6 drawbridge.
On 3 September 1887, BULGARIA (wooden propeller, 280 foot, 1888 gross tons)
was launched at West Bay City, Michigan by J. Davidson (Hull #16).
September 3, 1910 - The MARQUETTE & BESSEMER NO 2 (2) (Hull#450) was launched
in Cleveland, Ohio by the American Ship Building Co. for the Marquette &
Bessemer Dock & Navigation Co..
On 3 September 1869, the 167 foot wooden propeller BOSCOBEL burned about two
miles below St. Clair, Michigan. Three lives were lost. The ship was only
about two years old and was in service of the New York Central Railroad, though
owned by the Peshtigo Lumbering Co. of Chicago. The burned hulk was raised in
1876 and rebuilt as a schooner-barge at Algona, Michigan. She lasted until 1909
when she sank on Lake Huron.
Data from Max Hanley, Joe Barr, David Swayze, Father Dowling Collection,
James Neumiller, Jody L. Aho, Ahoy & Farewell II and the Great Lakes Ships We
Remember series
This is a small sample, the books include many other vessels with a much more
detailed history
Today in Great Lakes History - September 04
On 04 September 1889, the new steamer CHEROKEE (wooden propeller freighter,
209 foot, 1002 gross tons) arrived in Port Huron, Michigan from M. P. Lester’s
yard in Marine City, Michigan for the Phoenix Iron Works in Port Huron to
installed the engine and boiler. Her outfitting was then completed by Carleton
and Cole of Port Huron.
Two favorites of many boatwatchers, entered service on August 4. The WILLIAM
CLAY FORD (1) entered service on August 4, 1953, and the EDWARD L RYERSON
entered service on August 4, 1960.
The ONTADOC (2) sailed to Holland with a load of bentonite from Chicago,
Illinois on August 4, 1979. ONTADOC sails today as the b.) MELISSA DESGAGNES,
renamed in 1990.
The E J BLOCK was laid up for the last time at Indiana Harbor, Indiana on
August 4 1984, the E J BLOCK was sold for scrap in late May, 1987.
The D M CLEMSON (2) left Superior on August 4, 1980 in tow of Malcolm
Marine's TUG MALCOLM for Thunder Bay, Ontario where she was dismantled.
The HOCHELAGA (2) (Hull#144) was launched August 4, 1949 at the Collingwood
Shipyards Ltd., Collingwood, Ontario for Canada Steamship Lines Ltd., Montreal,
Quebec.
On a foggy August 4, 1977 the POINTE NOIRE went hard aground near the
entrance to the Rock Cut in the St. Marys River and blocked the channel. After her
grain cargo was lightered by Columbia Transportation's crane steamer BUCKEYE,
the POINTE NOIRE was released on August 6th. She was reloaded in Hay Lake and
continued her downbound trip. Repairs to her bottom damage were completed at
Thunder Bay. Ontario.
On 4 September 1902, ALICE M BEERS (2-mast wooden schooner, 105 foot, 154
gross tons, built in 1864 at Algonac, Michigan) was light when she hove to off
the dock at Glen Arbor, Michigan in a gale. However, she slipped her anchor and
was driven onto the channel marker. She was holed and drifted ashore where she
later broke up. No lives lost.
On 4 September 1876, CITY OF PORT HURON, a wooden steam barge, sank a few
miles off shore near Lexington, Michigan at about noon. She was heavily loaded
with iron ore and sprang a leak at about 11 o'clock. Most of the crew managed to
get on top of the cabin while two were in the forward rigging as she went
down in 6 fathoms of water. The heavy seas washed over those on the cabin.
Captain George Davis and two others floated ashore on wreckage while a fish boat
picked up the five others. No lives were lost.
Data from: Joe Barr, David Swayze, Father Dowling Collection, Jody L. Aho,
Ahoy & Farewell II and the Great Lakes Ships We Remember series This is a small sample, the books include many other vessels with a much more
detailed history
Today in Great Lakes History - September 05
On 05 September 1898, the MONTGOMERY (wooden schooner-barge, 204 foot, 709
tons, built in 1856 at Newport [Marine City], Michigan as a passenger/package
freight steamer) sank in 21 feet of water on Lake St. Clair after colliding with
the whaleback barge 137 (steel barge, 345 foot, 2480 gross tons, built in
1896 at W. Superior, Wisconsin) which was being towed by the ALEXANDER McDOUGALL
(steel propeller semi-whaleback freighter, 413 foot, 3686 gross tons, built in
1898 at W. Superior, Wisconsin). The MONTGOMERY was raised and repaired.
She lasted another two years – breaking up in a storm in 1901.
On September 5, 1964, the 730-foot bulk freighter LEECLIFFE HALL sank after
colliding with the Greek ocean vessel APPOLONIA in the St. Lawrence River.
The CHI-CHEEMAUN completed her sea trials on September 5, 1974 and then
cleared the Collingwood shipyard on September 26th.
The BENJAMIN F FAIRLESS cleared Lorain on her maiden voyage September 5, 1942
for the pittsburgh Steamship Co..
The J P MORGAN JR returned to service September 5, 1948 after repairs
suffered in an accident in June.
The NEW QUEDOC arrived at McLouth Steel, Trenton, Michigan on her maiden
voyage September 5, 1960 with a load of Labrador iron ore.
The WYANDOTTE (2) was towed down the Welland Canal on September 5th & 6th on
her way to the cutters torch.
On 5 September 1905, ABERCORN (wooden propeller “rabbit”, 126 foot, 261
gross tons, built in 1873 at Marine City, Michigan) burned at the dock at
Goderich, Ontario While unloading coal. She reportedly caught fire from the explosion
of a signal lamp.
The schooner CALEDONIA, wrecked the previous autumn near the Fishing Islands
on Lake Huron, was raised and arrived in Port Huron, Michigan on 5 September
1882 under tow to be rebuilt.
Data from: Joe Barr, Father Dowling Collection, Jody L. Aho, Ahoy & Farewell
II and the Great Lakes Ships We Remember series
This is a small sample, the books include many other vessels with a much more
detailed history
Today in Great Lakes History - September 06
On 29 August 1872, a storm struck Lake Erie. On 06 September 1872, nine days
after she set sail from Port Colborne for Detroit, the schooner J W SARGENT
was listed as missing in the Detroit newspapers – probably a victim of that
storm. Later on the same day that the newspaper announcement was published, the
SARGENT arrived in Detroit. Captain William Simms stated that the storm drove
him south to Erie, Pennsylvania where he sheltered for a few days. He sent a
telegraph message to the ship’s owner but the news was not relayed to
Detroit. The SARGENT only lasted another three months. In November 1872, a storm
got her on Lake Erie.
The BADGER was launched on September 6, 1952, at Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin. In
a christening ceremony that included the SPARTAN (launched earlier that year).
The BADGER was named in honor of the University of Wisconsin. The BADGER was
built by Christy Corporation, and is powered by two Skinner 4 cylinder Steeple
Compound Unaflow Marine Steam engines, developing over 7,000 horsepower. She
was the last of the large, coal-fired steamers to be built in the United
States, and the only ship of her type still operating on the Great Lakes. The
BADGER offers seasonal passenger service from Ludington, Michigan to Manitowoc,
Wisconsin from mid May to early October.
The BELLE RIVER began her maiden voyage when she loaded 56,073 long tons of
western coal at Superior, Wisconsin on August 31, 1977 and arrived at Detroit
Edison Co.'s Belle River power plant at Recors Point on September 6, 1977.
today sails as: b) WALTER J McCARTHY JR.
On September 6, 1992 the H LEE WHITE was in tow of the "G" tugs COLORADO and
LOUISIANA entering the Trenton Channel when she struck a section of the toll
bridge at Grosse Ile, Michigan knocking down a 150 foot span immediately east
of the main river channel. The WHITE was not damaged but a new section of the
bridge had to be installed at a cost of $1.7 million. The bridge was back in
service in late January, 1993. The U.S. Coast Guard investigated this casualty
and their report states that it was the failure of the bridge tender to operate
and open the bridge which caused this casualty. The Coast Guard found that
the master of the WHITE was operating his vessel in a prudent and lawful manner
including the use of whistle signals.
The CHARLES E. WILSON completed her sea trials in 1973. Renamed b.) JOHN J
BOLAND in 2000.
The GEORGIAN BAY collided with the steamer CHARLES HUBBARD in the fog-covered
lower St. Marys River September 6, 1955.
On September 6, 1989 the Twin Screw Rail Car Ferry GRAND RAPIDS left
Muskegon, Michigan in tow of the tugs ANGLIAN LADY and PRINCESS NO1 and arrived at
Port Maitland, Ontario on September 11th. Scrapping was completed in the fall of
1994.
On 6 September 1887, BLUE BELL (2-mast wooden scow-schooner, 84 foot, 122
gross tons, built in 1867 at Milwaukee, Wisconsin) was carrying lumber from
Wilt’s Bay, Michigan to Milwaukee when she missed the harbor entrance at Sturgeon
Bay, Wisconsin in a storm. She was driven ashore where she broke up. Her crew
made it to the beach with the aid of the local U.S. Life Saving crew. The total
loss was valued at $5,000.
On 6 September 1871, the wooden schooner ROSA STEARNS, loaded with coal, was
battling a storm for hours off Cleveland, Ohio. The ship was driven on the
stone breakwater about 1:00 AM and was pounded to pieces. The crew jumped onto
the breakwater and crawled to safety as the waves crashed over them.
Data from: Joe Barr, Jody L. Aho, Max S. Hanley, Ahoy & Farewell II and the
Great Lakes Ships We Remember series
This is a small sample, the books include many other vessels with a much more
detailed history
Today in Great Lakes History - September 07
On 07 September 1883, the COLORADO (wooden schooner-barge, 118 foot, built in
1866 at Fairport, Ohio) was in tow of the steamer DON M DICKINSON along with
the schooner-barge N P GOODELL in a gale on Lake Huron. As the gale worsened,
the string of vessels went to shelter in the harbor at Sand Beach (now Harbor
Beach), Michigan. The COLORADO broke loose as they entered the harbor.
Deckhand Abbot Way jumped on to the breakwater with a line to secure the COLORADO,
but the line broke as soon as it went taut. It broke three times and the
barge drifted out into the gale, stranding Mr. Way on the breakwater with six
foot waves washing over it. He managed to get to the harbor light at the end of
the breakwater and climbed up above the waves where he was stranded for two
hours until the crew of the Lifesaving Station got to him. COLORADO beached
herself with no loss of life. She was later recovered and lasted until 1902 when
she was abandoned.
On September 7, 1978 the ROGER M KYES lost all power in Lake St. Clair
requiring tug assistance from the Great Lakes Towing Co. tugs MARYLAND and MAINE
which escorted her to the Great Lakes Steel dock. Renamed b.) ADAM E CORNELIUS
in 1989.
The CADILLAC (4) was laid up on September 7, 1981 for the last time at
Toledo, Ohio. She was later transferred to a West coast marine operation in
preparation for conversion for a proposed container ship for service between Chicago,
Detroit and Quebec City. However these plans never materialized.
On September 7, 1921, the D G KERR pulled up to the ore dock at Two Harbors,
Minnesota to load exactly 12,507 gross tons of iron ore in the record breaking
time of sixteen and a half minutes. This was accomplished through the
cooperation of the dock superintendent, the dock employees concerned, the ship's
captain and crew and the Pittsburgh Steamship Co. as a means of "showing up" the
competition. Her time of arrival and departure to and from the dock took only
nineteen minutes. For comparison, a good average loading time at that time was
about three hours and forty-five minutes.
On September 7, 1975 on the St. Marys River loaded with iron ore pellets, the
WILLIAM G MATHER, forced out of the channel by a salt water vessel, struck
bottom. Upon proceeding further onto Lake Huron it was soon discovered that her
pumps were unable to cope with incoming water caused by the damage. She was
beached at Frying Pan Island (De Tour, Michigan) in 19 feet of water when it
became evident they couldn't make dock.
On 7 September 1883, LAURA BELL (wooden schooner, 138 foot, 269 gross tons,
built in 1870 at Toledo, Ohio) was carrying coal from Cleveland, Ohio to
Marquette, Michigan when she stranded off Shot Point, east of Marquette in Lake
Superior. Her crew spent 3 days in her rigging and all but one was rescued by a
tug from Marquette.
September 7, 1916 - The PERE MARQUETTE 3 ran aground 10 miles north of
Milwaukee.
September 7, 1996 - The American Society of Mechanical Engineers designated
the propulsion system of the BADGER a mechanical engineering landmark.
The launch of the 188' wooden schooner ELIZABETH A NICHOLSON was set for 4:00
PM on 7 September 1872 at E. Fitzgerald's shipyard in Port Huron, Michigan.
Just before 4:00 PM, a telegram was received at the shipyard from Capt.
Nicholson, the owner of the new vessel, which read, "Wait a while. We are coming."
The launch was delayed until another dispatch was received which said to go
ahead anyway. The boat Capt. Nicholson was on had broken down. The launch went
well. The vessel was painted deep green with her name in gilt. All present
cheered the sight, but there was no party afterwards. All of the food and beverages
for the celebration were with Capt. Nicholson on the disabled vessel.
Data from: Max Hanley, Joe Barr, Tin Stackers - The History of the Pittsburgh
Steamship Company, Father Dowling Collection, Ahoy & Farewell II and the
Great Lakes Ships We Remember series
This is a small sample, the books include many other vessels with a much more
detailed history
Today in Great Lakes History - September 08
On 08 September 1868, HIPPOCAMPUS (wooden propeller, 152 tons, built in 1867
at St. Joseph, Michigan) stranded in a storm off St. Joseph, Michigan and was
pounded to pieces. 36 of the 41 passengers were lost. Litigation continued
until 10 November 1884 when the owner was held innocent of blame in the U. S.
Court at Grand Rapids, Michigan.
The GEMINI (Hull#745) sailed on her maiden voyage in August, 1978 from
Levingston Shipbuilding Co., at Orange, Texas, to load fuel oil at Baytown, Texas,
for delivery at Detroit, Michigan. Passing upbound the next month on September
8th through the Welland Canal, GEMINI became the largest U.S. flagged tanker
on the Great Lakes with a capacity of 76,000 barrels.
The W E FITZGERALD (Hull#167) was launched September 8, 1906 at Wyandotte,
Michigan by Detroit Ship Building Co. for the Chicago Navigation Co., Chicago,
Illinois (D. Sullivan, mgr.).
The bulk freighter HENRY A HAWGOOD was launched September 8, 1906 at
Cleveland, Ohio by the American Ship Building Co. for Minerva Steamship Co. (W.A. &
H.A. Hawgood, mgr.), Cleveland. Renamed b.) C RUSSELL HUBBARD in 1912 and c.)
W W HOLLOWAY in 1935.
The RADIANT departed the shipyard September 8, 1913 light on her maiden
voyage bound for Montreal, Quebec.
September 8, 1970 - The MILWAUKEE CLIPPER made her last run from Milwaukee,
Wisconsin.
On September 8, 1985 the downbound the Panamanian NORCHEM collided with the
upbound CANADIAN PROSPECTOR near Kanawake, Quebec. PROSPECTOR had little damage
but NORCHEM was ripped open near her port anchor.
On 8 September 1885, ADVANCE (wooden schooner, 119 foot, 180 gross tons,
built in 1853 at Milwaukee, Wisconsin) was carrying wood when she became
waterlogged and capsized in a gale and blinding rain near Port Washington, Wisconsin in
Lake Michigan. All but one of her crew of 7 drowned when her yawl capsized in
the surf.
On 8 September 1871, the schooner MORNING LIGHT was sailing from Kelley's
Island on Lake Erie with a cargo of stone for Marquette, Michigan in heavy
weather. Trying to enter the Detroit River, the crew miscalculated their position
and ran the ship aground on Pointe Mouille, just below Gibraltar. The crew scuttled the vessel in the shallow water to save her from harm. The following
day, the tug GEORGE N BRADY was sent out with steam pumps and hawsers and the
MORNING LIGHT was raised and towed to Detroit for repairs.
Data from: Max Hanley, Joe Barr, Al Miller, David Swayze, Father Dowling
Collection, James Neumiller, Ahoy & Farewell II and the Great Lakes Ships We
Remember series
This is a small sample, the books include many other vessels with a much more
detailed history
Today in Great Lakes History - September 09
On 09 September 1886, GENERAL WOLSELEY (wooden side-wheel steamer, 103 foot,
123 tons, built in 1884 at Oakville, Ontario) caught fire on her way to Dyer’s
Bay, Ontario. She was run ashore for the crew to escape near Cape Croker on
Georgian Bay and burned to the water’s edge.
The WOLVERINE (4) (Hull#903) was launched September 9, 1974 at Lorain, Ohio
by American Ship Building Co. for the Union Commerce Bank (Ohio), Trustee
(Oglebay Norton Co., mgr.), Cleveland, Ohio.
DETROIT EDISON (2) (Hull#418) was launched September 9, 1954 at Manitowoc,
Wisconsin by Manitowoc Ship Building Co. for the American Steamship Co. (Boland
& Cornelius, mgr.) Buffalo, New York.
The Steamer PERE MARQUETTE 18 sank on September 9, 1910 with a loss of 29
lives. No cause for the sinking has ever been determined. The PERE MARQUETTE 17
picked up 33 survivors, losing 2 of her own crew during the rescue.
The first of two fires suffered by the Grand Trunk carferry GRAND RAPIDS
occurred on September 9, 1980. The cause of the fire was not determined.
On 9 September 1929 the ANDASTE (steel propeller self-unloading sandsucker,
247 foot, built in 1892 at Cleveland, Ohio) was probably overloaded with gravel
when she “went missing” west of Holland, Michigan. The entire crew of 25 was
lost. When built, she was the sister of the “semi-whaleback” CHOCTAW, but
was shortened 20 feet in 1920-21 to allow her to use the Welland Canal.
On 9 September 1871, Captain Hicks of the schooner A H MOSS fired the Mate, a
popular fellow, in a fit of anger the same time that a tug arrived to tow the
schooner out of Cleveland harbor. The crew was upset to say the least, and
when the tow line was cast off and Capt. Hicks ordered the sails hoisted, the
crew refused to do any work. The skipper finally raised the signal flags and had
the tug towed his vessel back into the harbor. When the MOSS dropped anchor,
he fired the entire crew then went ashore to hire another crew.
The M.V. ROY A JODREY (Hull#186) was launched in 1965 at Collingwood, Ontario
by Canadian Shipbuilding & Engineering Co. Ltd. for Algoma Central Railway
Ltd.
Data from: Max Hanley, Joe Barr, David Swayze, Father Dowling Collection,
Ahoy & Farewell II and the Great Lakes Ships We Remember series This is a small sample, the books include many other vessels with a much more
detailed history
Today in Great Lakes History - September 10
On 10 September 1884, the 137 foot steam barge HENRY HOWARD was sailing
upbound with the schooner-barge GEORGE WORTHINGTON in tow when she caught fire near
Harsen’s Island at the mouth of the St. Clair River. The fire broke out near
the HOWARD’s engine room and spread rapidly. The vessel was beached on the
island but the WORTHINGTON ran against her and was thus scorched. No lives
were lost. The HOWARD was valued at $5,000, but only insured for $3,000 by her
owners, B. Hoose and Julia Miner.
The METEOR (2) was towed from Manitowoc, Wisconsin by the tug JOHN ROEN IV to
Superior, Wisconsin on September 10, 1972.
The HARRY COULBY b.) KINSMAN ENTERPRISE turned 75 years old on September 10,
2002. When she entered service on this date in 1927, the 631-foot bulk
freighter was the third largest on the Great Lakes.
While upbound in the Welland Canal on September 9, 1986 it was noted that the
port anchor of the J W MC GIFFIN was missing, her chain was almost touching
the water.
On 10 September 1909, COLUMBUS (wooden propeller bulk freighter, 136 foot,
439 gross tons, built in 1874 as the tug JOHN OWEN) burned to a total loss at
her dock at Gargantua, Ontario in Lake Superior. She was cut loose and allowed
to drift out into the bay where she sank. The top of her engine reportedly
still shows above the water.
September 10, 1979 - The SPARTAN was laid up.
The barge N MILLS was launched at P. Lester's yard in Marysville, Michigan on
10 September 1870. Her dimensions were 164' x 30' x 12'.
Data from: Max Hanley, Joe Barr, David Swayze, Father Dowling Collection,
Jody L. Aho, James Neumiller, Ahoy & Farewell II and the Great Lakes Ships We
Remember series
This is a small sample, the books include many other vessels with a much more
detailed history
Today in Great Lakes History - September 11
On 11 September 1883, EXPLORER (2-mast wooden schooner, 48 foot, 33 gross
tons, built in 1866 at Chatham, Ontario) struck rocks and went down on Stokes Bay
on the outside of the Bruce Peninsula. Her crew was visible from shore
clinging to the wreck until the vessel broke up. All five were lost.
The GEORGE M HUMPHREY (1) was patched and refloated on September 11, 1944.
She had sunk in 80 feet of water after a collision with the steamer D M CLEMSON
(2) off Old Point Light, on June 15, 1943. On May 6, 1944 the barges MAITLAND
NO1 and HILDA were employed as pontoons for the salvage operation positioned
over the sunken hull. cables were attached to the HUMPHREY's hull and to the
barges. The hull was raised through a series of lifts which allowed it to be
brought into shallower water. Partial buoyancy was provided by the HUMPHREY's
ballast tanks which were pumped out to about 25% of capacity. The HUMPHREY was
patched and refloated on September 11, 1944. She was taken to the Manitowoc Ship
Building Co. first for an estimate of repairs which totaled $469,400, and
then was towed to Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin for reconditioning which was completed
at a reported cost of $437,000. Captain John Roen's Roen Transportation Co.
assumed ownership on September 18, 1944 and the next year the ship was renamed
b) CAPTAIN JOHN ROEN. She re-entered service on May 1, 1945 chartered to the
Pioneer Steamship Co. on a commission basis. Renamed c.) ADAM E CORNELIUS in
1948 and d.) CONSUMERS POWER in 1958. Scrapped at Kaohsiung, Taiwan in 1988.
September 11, 2001 the former Bob-Lo boat STE CLAIRE was towed from Detroit
to Toledo.
On September 11, 1987 while in lay-up at Point Edward, Ontario, the FORT YORK
caught fire which gutted her bridge.
Carrying cargoes off the Lakes, the CANADA MARQUIS departed Halifax bound for
Philadelphia with a cargo of grain. The HON PAUL MARTIN departed Halifax the
same day on her way to Tampa with a load of gypsum.
The HORACE JOHNSON sailed on her maiden voyage light from Lorain, Ohio on
September 11, 1929 bound for Two Harbors, Minnesota to load iron ore.
On 11 September 1895, S P AMES (2 mast wooden schooner, 61 foot, 43 gross
tons) was driven ashore at Pointe Aux Barques, Michigan in a storm. She was
quickly stripped before she went to pieces. She had been built in 1879 at Montrose,
Michigan, in farm country, well inland, on the Flint River by Mr. Seth Ames.
He wanted to use her to return to sea, but he died the day before her hull was
launched.
On 11 September 1876, the schooner HARVEST HOME sank on Lake Michigan while
bound from Chicago for Cleveland with a load of scrap iron. She was about 26
miles off Grand Haven, Michigan. The crew were taken off by the schooner GRACIE
M FILER just as the boat was going down.
Data from: Joe Barr, David Swayze, Father Dowling Collection, Jody L. Aho
James Neumiller, Ahoy & Farewell II and the Great Lakes Ships We Remember series This is a small sample, the books include many other vessels with a much more
detailed history
Today in Great Lakes History - September 12
On 12 September 1902, EXPERIMENT (2-mast wooden schooner, 65 foot, 50 gross
tons, built in 1854 at St. Joseph, Michigan) was carrying fire wood in a storm
on Lake Michigan when she went out of control in the harbor at St. Joseph,
Michigan after swerving to miss an unmarked construction crib. She wrecked and
was declared a total loss. Her crew was rescued by the Lifesaving Service.
Three days later she was stripped and abandoned in place.
The ROGER BLOUGH was laid up at Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin from September 12,
1981 through 1986 because of economic conditions.
CANADIAN PIONEER was christened at Port Weller Drydocks Ltd. on September 12,
1981 by Mrs. Louise Powis, wife of the Chairman and President of Noranda
Mines for Upper Lakes Shipping Ltd..
CARTIERCLIFFE HALL was towed by the tug WILFRED M COHEN to Collingwood,
Ontario for repairs from a June 5th fire and arrived at Collingwood Shipyards Ltd.
on September 12, 1979.
Canadian Shipbuilding & Engineering Limited at Collingwood, Ontario closed
the yard on September 12, 1986 after 103 years of shipbuilding. She was famous
for her spectacular side launches. 214 ships were built at Collingwood.
While unloading steel in South Chicago from the CANADA MARQUIS on September
12, 1988, a shoreside crane lifting a payloader into the hold, collapsed onto
the ship. CANADA MARQUIS had a hole in her tank top and damage to her hatch
coaming.
On 12 September 1900, ALBACORE (2 mast wooden schooner, 137 foot, 327 tons,
built in 1872 at Port Dalhousie, Ontario) had a storm blow out her sails,
driving her into the seawall at Fort Bank just east of Oswego, New york where she
broke up. The tug J NAVAGH tried unsuccessfully to save her. Her crew of 7 was
rescued by the U.S. Lifesaving Service.
After an extremely dry summer, forests were burning all over the Great lakes
region in the Autumn of 1871. The smoke from these fires affected navigation.
Newspaper reports stated that on 12 September 1871, 38 ships and four strings
of barges anchored near Point Pelee on Lake Erie due to the restricted
visibility caused by the smoke from the forest fires.
On 12 September 1900, the schooner H W SAGE was raised by the Mc Morran
Wrecking Company and was then towed to Port Huron for repairs. She had sunk near
Algonac, Michigan in a collision with the steamer CHICAGO on 30 July 1900.
Data from: Joe Barr, Dave Swayze, Father Dowling Collection, James Neumiller,
Ahoy & Farewell II and the Great Lakes Ships We Remember series This is a small sample, the books include many other vessels with a much more
detailed history
Today in Great Lakes History - September 13
On 13 September 1872, the wooden schooner RAPID left Pigeon Bay, Ontario
bound for Buffalo, New York with 5000 railroad ties. While on Lake Erie, a storm
blew in and Capt. Henderson decided to turn for Rondeau. While turning, the
vessel capsized. Annie Brown, the cook, was trapped below decks and drowned.
The seven other crew members strapped themselves to the rail and waited to be
rescued. One by one they died. Finally, 60-hours later, the schooner PARAGON
found the floating wreck with just one man, James Low, the first mate, barely
alive.
The EDMUND FITZGERALD's sea trials occurred on September 13, 1958.
The HOFFMAN (United States Army Corps of Engineers Twin Screw Hopper Dredge)
collided with the Japanese salty KUNISHIMA MARU at Toledo, Ohio, September 13,
1962. Reportedly the blame was placed on the pilot of the Japanese salty.
Apparently the damage was minor.
On September 13, 1968 the AUGUST ZIESING grounded in fog two-hundred yards
above the Rock Cut in the St. Marys River. The grounded vessel swung into the
shipping channel blocking it until September 15th when lightering was completed.
September 13, 1953 - The PERE MARQUETTE 22 made her second maiden voyage
since she was new in 1924. She was cut in half, lengthened, had new boilers and
engines installed.
On 13 September 1875, CITY OF BUFFALO (wooden schooner, 91 foot, 128 tons,
built in 1859 at Buffalo, New York as a propeller canal boat) beached and sank
after striking a rock in the St. Mary’s River. The tug MAGNET worked for days
to release her before she went to pieces on 19 September. No lives were lost.
On 13 September 1871, the bark S D POMEROY was anchored off Menominee,
Michigan during a storm. Archie Dickie, James Steele, John Davidson and James Mechie
were seen to lower the yawl to go to shore. Later the empty yawl drifted
ashore and then the bodies of all four men floated in.
Data from: Max Hanley, Joe Barr, David Swayze, James Neumiller, Ahoy &
Farewell II and the Great Lakes Ships We Remember series
This is a small sample, the books include many other vessels with a much more
detailed history
Today in Great Lakes History - September 14
Captain Albert Edgar Goodrich died on 14 September 1885 at the age of 59 at
his residence, 1474 Michigan Avenue, Chicago, Illinois. He was a pioneer
steamboat man and founded the Goodrich Transportation Company, famous for its
passenger/package freight steamers on Lake Michigan.
The J J SULLIVAN (Hull#439) was launched September 14, 1907 at Cleveland,
Ohio by American Ship Building Co. for the Superior Steamship Co. (Hutchinson &
Co., mgr.). Renamed b.) CLARENCE B. RANDALL (2) in 1963.
On 14 September 1871, R J CARNEY (wooden barge, 150 foot, 397 gross tons) was
launched at Saginaw, Michigan.
The 203' wooden schooner KATE WINSLOW was launched at J. Davidson's yard in
East Saginaw, Michigan on 14 September 1872.
The steamer ASIA sank in a storm off Byng Inlet on Georgian Bay September 14,
1882. Over 100 people lost their lives with only 2 people, a man and a woman
being rescued. ASIA was built in St. Catharines, Ontario in 1873 and was bound
from Collingwood, Ontario to the French River and Canadian Sault.
Data from: Clive Reddin, Joe Barr, Dave Swayze, Father Dowling Collection,
James Neumiller, Ahoy & Farewell II and the Great Lakes Ships We Remember series This is a small sample, the books include many other vessels with a much more
detailed history
Today in Great Lakes History - September 15
On 15 September 1886, F. J. KING (wooden schooner, 140’ foot, 280 tons, built
in 1867 at Toledo, Ohio) was carrying iron ore from Escanaba, Michigan to
Chicago, Illinois. She sprang a leak and sank in a heavy southwesterly gale
three miles off Rawley Bay, Wisconsin. Her crew reached shore in the yawl. Her
loss was valued at $7500.
The A H FERBERT (2) was towed out of Duluth by the Sandrin tug GLENADA
September 15, 1987, they encountered rough weather on Lake Superior and required the
assistance of the another tug to reach the Soo on the 19th. On the 21st the
FERBERT had to anchor off Detour, Michigan after she had run aground in the St.
Marys River when her towline parted. Her hull was punctured and the Coast
Guard ordered repairs to her hull before she could continue. Again problems
struck on September 24th, when the FERBERT went hard aground at the Cut-Off
Channel's southeast bend of the St. Clair River. Six tugs, GLENADA, ELMORE M. MISNER,
BARBARA ANN, GLENSIDE, SHANNON and WM A WHITNEY, worked until late on the
26th to free her. The FERBERT finally arrived in tow of GLENSIDE and W N TWOLAN
at Lauzon, Quebec on October 7th.
The str. WILLIAM A. AMBERG (Hull#723) was launched September 15, 1917 at
Lorain, Ohio by American Ship Building Co. for the Producers Steamship Co. (M.A.
Hanna, mgr.). Renamed b.) ALBERT E HEEKIN in 1932, c.) SILVER BAY in 1955, d.)
JUDITH M PIERSON in 1975 and e.)
FERNGLEN in 1982. Scrapped at Port Maitland, Ontario in 1985.
On September 15, 1925 the JOHN A TOPPING left River Rouge, Michigan light on
her maiden voyage to Ashland, Wisconsin to load iron ore for delivery to
Cleveland, Ohio.
September 15th lightering was completed on the AUGUST ZIESING, she had
grounded above the Rock Cut two days earlier blocking the channel.
September 15, 1959 was the last day the U.S. Coast Guard Buoy Tender MESQUITE
was stationed at Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan.
MIDDLETOWN suffered a fire in her tunnels on September 15, 1986. 2nd & 3rd
degree burns were suffered by two crewmembers.
In 1934 the ANN ARBOR NO 6 collided with the steamer N F LEOPOLD in a heavy
fog.
September 15, 1993 - Robert Manglitz became CEO and president of Lake
Michigan Carferry Service after Charles Conrad announced his retirement and the sale
of most of his stock.
On 15 September 1873, IRONSIDES (wooden propeller passenger/package freight
vessel, 220 foot, 1123 tons, built in 1864 at Cleveland, Ohio) became disabled
when she sprang a leak and flooded. The water poured in and put out her fires.
She sank about 7 miles off Grand Haven, Michigan on Lake Michigan. Reports of
the number of survivors varied from 17 to 32 and the number lost varied from
18 to 28.
On 15 September 1872, A J BEMIS (wood propeller tug, 49 tons, built in 1859
at Buffalo, New York) caught fire while underway. The fire originated under her
boiler. She ran for shore but sank 3⁄4 mile short, about 6 miles from Alpena,
Michigan. No lives lost.
Data from: Max Hanley, Joe Barr, David Swayze, Father Dowling Collection,
James Neumiller, Ahoy & Farewell II and the Great Lakes Ships We Remember series This is a small sample, the books include many other vessels with a much more
detailed history
Today in Great Lakes History - September 16
On 16 September 1893, HATTIE EARL (wooden schooner, 96 foot, 101 gross tons,
built in 1869 at South Haven, Michigan) was driven ashore just outside the
harbor of Michigan City, Indiana and was pounded to pieces by the waves. No
lives were lost.
At about 8:30 a.m. Sunday, September 16, 1990 the inbound motor ship BUFFALO
passed close by while JUPITER was unloading unleaded gasoline at the Total
Petroleum dock in the Saginaw River near Bay City, Michigan. As the BUFFALO
passed the dock's aft pilings broke off and the fuel lines parted which caused a
spark and ignited the spilled fuel. At the time 22,000 barrels of a total of
54,000 barrels were still aboard. Flames catapulted over 100 feet high filling
the air with smoke that could be seen for 50 miles. The fire was still burning
the next morning when a six man crew from Williams, Boots & Coots Firefighters
and Hazard Control Specialists of Port Neches, Texas arrived to fight the
fire. By Monday afternoon they extinguished the fire only to have it re-ignite t hat night resulting in multiple explosions. Not until Tuesday morning on the
18th was the fire finally subdued with the assistance of the U.S. Coast Guard's
BRAMBLE and BRISTOL BAY. The tanker, which was valued at $9 million, was
declared a total constructive loss, though the engine room was relatively untouched.
Unfortunately the fire claimed the life of one crew member who drowned
attempting to swim ashore. As a result the Coast Guard closed the river to all
navigation. On October 19th the river was opened to navigation after the Gaelic
tugs SUSAN HOEY and CAROLYN HOEY towed the JUPITER up river to the Hirschfield &
Sons Dock at Bay City (formerly the DeFoe Shipyard) where a crane was erected
for dismantling the burned out hulk. Her engines were removed and shipped to
New Bedford, Massachusetts for future use. The river opening allowed American
Steamship’s BUFFALO to depart the Lafarge dock where she had been trapped
since the explosion. JUPITER's dismantling was completed over the winter of
1990-91. Subsequent investigation by the NTSB, U.S. Coast Guard and the findings of
a federal judge all exonerated the master and BUFFALO in the tragedy.
P & H purchased all nine of the Soo River's fleet on September 16, 1982 for a
reported C$2.5 million and all nine returned to service, although only four
were running at the end of the season.
NORISLE went into service September 16, 1946 as the first Canadian passenger
ship commissioned since the NORONIC's commissioning in 1913.
On September 16, 1952, the Cason J Callaway departed River Rouge, Michigan
for Duluth, Minnesota on its maiden voyage for the Pittsburgh Steamship Co..
On 16 September 1895, ARCTIC (2 mast wooden schooner, 113 foot, 85 gross
tons, built in 1853 at Ashtabula, Ohio) was rammed and sunk by the steamer CLYDE
in broad daylight and calm weather. ARCTIC was almost cut in half by the blow.
The skipper of CLYDE was censured for the wreck and for his callous treatment
of the schooner’s crew afterwards. Luckily no lives were lost.
On 16 September 1877, the little tug (46 foot) RED RIBBON, owned by W. H.
Morris of Port Huron, Michigan, burned about 2 miles below St. Clair, Michigan.
Capt. Morris ran the tug ashore and hurried to St. Clair to get assistance, but
officials there refused to allow the steam fire engine to go outside the
city. The tug was a total loss and was only insured for $1,000, half her value.
She had just started in service in May of 1877 and was named for the reform
movement that was in full swing at the time of her launch.
On 16 September 1900, LULU BEATRICE (2-mast wooden schooner, 72 foot, 48
gross tons, built in 1896 at Port Burwell, Ontario) was carrying coal on Lake Erie
when she was wrecked on the shore near the harbor entrance at Port Burwell in
a storm. One life was lost, the captain’s wife.
Data from: Joe Barr, Dave Swayze, Father Dowling Collection, Jody L. Aho,
James Neumiller, Ahoy & Farewell II and the Great Lakes Ships We Remember series This is a small sample, the books include many other vessels with a much more
detailed history
Today in Great Lakes History - September 17
On 17 September 1898, KEEPSAKE (2-mast wooden schooner, 183 foot, 286 gross
tons, built in 1867 at Newport [Marine City], Michigan) was carrying coal from
Ashtabula when she was struck by a terrible storm on Lake Erie. Her rudder
was damaged, a sail torn away and her bulwarks were smashed. The CITY OF ERIE
saw her distress signals at 3:30 a.m. and came to help. With the CITY OF
ERIE’s searchlight shining on the doomed schooner, a huge wave swept over the
vessel taking away everything on deck and snapping both masts. The crew, some only
half dressed, all managed to get into the lifeboat. They rowed to the CITY
OF ERIE and were all rescued. Three days later, the other lifeboat and some
wreckage from the KEEPSAKE were found near Ashtabula by some fishermen.
GRIFFON (2) (Hull#18) was launched September 17, 1955 at St. Catharines,
Ontario by Port Weller Drydocks Ltd. for Beaconsfield Steamship Ltd., Montreal,
Quebec. Renamed b.) FRANQUELIN in 1967, c.) EVA DESGAGNES in 1987. Sold
foreign in 1989, renamed d.) TELCHAC, scrapped at Tuxpan, Mexico in 1992.
On September 17, 1985, PATERSON suffered a crank case explosion as she was
bound for Quebec City from Montreal. She was repaired and cleared on September
21.
On 17 September 1830, WILLIAM PEACOCK (wood sidewheel steamer, 102 foot, 120
tons, built in 1829 at Barcelona, New York) suffered the first major boiler
explosion on Lake Erie while she was docked in Buffalo, New York. 15 - 30 lives
were lost. She was rebuilt two years later and eventually foundered in a storm
in 1835 near Ripley, Ohio.
On 17 September 1875, the barge HARMONY was wrecked in a gale at Chicago,
Illinois by colliding with the north pier which was under water. This was the
same place where the schooner ONONGA was wrecked a week earlier and HARMONY came
in contact with that sunken schooner. No lives were lost.
On 17 September 1900, a storm carried away the cabin and masts of the wrecked
wooden 4-mast bulk freight barge FONTANA. The 231-foot vessel had been
wrecked and sunk in a collision at the mouth of the St. Clair River in the St. Clair
Flats on 3 August 1900. She had settled in the mud and gradually shifted her
position. She eventually broke in two. After unsuccessful salvage attempts,
the wreck was dynamited.
Tragedy struck in 1949 when the Canada Steamship Lines cruise ship Noronic
burned at Pier 9 in Toronto, Ontario. By morning the ship was gutted, 104
passengers were known to be dead and 14 were missing. Because of land reclamation
and the changing face of the harbor, the actual site of Noronic's berth is now
in the lobby of the Harbour Castle Westin hotel.
Data from: Joe Barr, Dave Swayze, Father Dowling Collection, James Neumiller,
Ahoy & Farewell II and the Great Lakes Ships We Remember series This is a small sample, the books include many other vessels with a much more
detailed history
Today in Great Lakes History - September 18
On 18 September 1855, SEBASTOPOL (wooden side-wheel steamer, 230 foot, 863
tons, built in 1855 at Cleveland, Ohio) was sailing on Lake Michigan in a gale.
Her cargo included copper, tin, lead and iron ingots, safes and general
merchandise. Her skipper misread the shore lights while she was coming in to
Milwaukee and she stranded 500 feet from shore, broadside to the storm waves which
pounded her to pieces. Most of the crew and 60 passengers were saved with the
help of small boats from shore, but about 6 lives were lost. This was the
vessel’s first year of operation. Her paddlewheels were fifty feet in diameter.
On 18 September 1679, GRIFFON, the first sailing ship on the upper Lakes,
left Green Bay with a cargo of furs. She left the explorer Robert Cavelier, Sieur
de la Salle, behind. GRIFFON never reached her planned destination.
The E J BLOCK returned to service on September 18, 1946 as the first large
bulk freighter powered by a diesel-electric power plant and one of the first
equipped with commercial radar on the Great Lakes.
On September 18, 1959 the HENRY FORD II ran aground in the St. Marys River
and damaged 18 bottom plates.
On September 18, 1958 the BEN MOREELL (2) collided with and sank the car
ferry ASHTABULA in the harbor at Ashtabula, Ohio. Captain Louis Sabo was in
command of the ASHTABULA.
LAKE WINNIPEG was the first vessel to enter the Nipigon Transport fleet. She
loaded her first cargo of 22,584 gross tons of iron ore clearing Sept Îles,
Queec on September 18, 1962 bound for Cleveland, Ohio.
The Pere Marquette carferry CITY OF MIDLAND 41 (Hull#311) was launched on
September 18, 1940, at Manitowoc, Wisconsin. She was built by Manitowoc
Shipbuilding Corporation at a cost of $2 million. She was named after Midland, Michigan
for one of the Pere Marquette Railway's biggest customers, Dow Chemical Co.
She was christened by Miss Helen Dow, daughter of Willard H. Dow, president of
Dow Chemical Co. Converted to a barge in 1998, renamed PERE MARQUETTE 41. .
On 18 September 1871, E B ALLEN (wooden schooner, 111 foot, 275 tons, built
in 1864 at Ogdensburg, New York) was carrying grain when she collided with the
bark NEWSBOY and sank off Thunder Bay Island in Lake Huron.
On 18 September 1900, the large steamer CAPTAIN THOMAS WILSON was taken from
her launch site on the Black River in Port Huron out to the St. Clair River.
The tug HAYNES was at the bow and the tug BOYNTON at the stern. It took an hour
and a half to maneuver through the various bridges. Newspapers estimated that
a couple thousand persons watched the event. Once the WILSON made it to the
St. Clair River, she was towed to Jenks Shipbuilding Company where she was
completed and received her machinery.
Data from: Joe Barr, Dave Swayze, Max Hanley, Father Dowling Collection, Ahoy
& Farewell II and the Great Lakes Ships We Remember series
This is a small sample, the books include many other vessels with a much more
detailed history
Today in Great Lakes History - September 19
At Rush Street in Chicago, Illinois, a hand-operated ferry carried
pedestrians across the Chicago River. The ferry operator would pull on a rope, hand
over hand, to move the ferry across the river. At a signal from schooners, the
rope was dropped and the schooner would sail over it. On 19 September 1856,
the rope was dropped but the impatient passengers picked it up to move the ferry
themselves. The incoming schooner snagged the rope and the ferry was spun
around and capsized. 15 people were drowned.
When SATURN (4) entered service and made her first trip to Toledo, Ohio on
September 19, 1974, she became the first of three tankers built for the fleet's
modernization program.
The EDGAR B SPEER departed the shipyard on her maiden voyage for U.S. Steel
on September 19, 1980 bound for Two Harbors, Minnesota where she loaded her
first cargo of taconite pellets.
The GRAND HAVEN (Twin Screw Rail Car Ferry) was laid up in the spring of 1965
at the old Pennsylvania Dock at Cleveland, Ohio and later at dockage on the
Old River Bed where she sank on September 19, 1969.
September 19, 1997 - officials at Lake Michigan Carferry, Inc. announced that
the CITY OF MIDLAND 41 would be converted to a barge.
On 19 September 1893, SAMUEL BOLTON (wooden schooner-barge, 150 foot, 330
gross tons, built in 1867 at Bangor, Michigan as a schooner) was loaded with
lumber and being towed in fog in Lake Huron. She got lost from the tow and drifted
ashore near Richmond, Michigan where she broke in two and was then torn apart
by waves. She was owned by Brazil Hoose of Detroit.
On Saturday, 19 September 1891, at 11:00 AM, the whaleback steamer CHARLES W
WETMORE left Philadelphia, Pennsylvania loaded with the materials to build a
nail mill, iron smelter and shipyard for the new city of Everett, Washington.
Her skipper was Captain Joseph B. Hastings and she had a crew of 22.
On 19 September 1900 the Great Lakes schooner S L WATSON foundered off Cape
Cod, Massachusetts. She had been sent to the Atlantic the previous autumn by
her owner J. C. Gilchrist of Cleveland.
Data from: Joe Barr, Dave Swayze, Max Hanley, Father Dowling Collection, Ahoy
& Farewell II and the Great Lakes Ships We Remember series
This is a small sample, the books include many other vessels with a much more
detailed history
Today in Great Lakes History - September 20
John Jonathon Boland was born on 20 September 1875 in New York. Along with
Adam E. Cornelius, he formed the partnership of Boland and Cornelius in 1903
and was one of the founders of the American Steamship Company in 1907. He died
in 1956.
On September 20, 1986, vandals started a $5,000. fire aboard the laid up
NIPIGON BAY at Kingston, Ontario where she had been since April, 1984.
GEORGE A STINSON's self-unloading boom was replaced on September 20 1983. The
boom had collapsed onto her deck due to a mechanical failure on the night of
April 19, 1983 at Detroit, Michigan. No injuries were reported. She continued
hauling cargoes without a boom until replacement.
On September 20, 1980, the EDGAR B SPEER entered service for U.S. Steel.
The CHARLES E WILSON sailed light on her maiden voyage from Sturgeon Bay
September 20, 1973 bound for Escanaba, Michigan to load ore.
The CHARLES M WHITE was christened at Baltimore, Maryland on September 20,
1951.
On 20 September 1873, W L PECK (2 mast wooden schooner-barge, 154 foot, 361
gross tons) was launched at Carrollton, Michigan.
On 20 September 1856, COLONEL CAMP (3-mast wooden bark, 137 foot, 350 tons,
built in 1854 at Three Mile Bay, New York) was carrying wheat to Oswego, New
York when she collided with the wooden steamer PLYMOUTH and sank in just a few
minutes. No lives were lost.
Data from: Joe Barr, Dave Swayze, Ahoy & Farewell II and the Great Lakes
Ships We Remember series
This is a small sample, the books include many other vessels with a much more
detailed history
Today in Great Lakes History - September 21
On 21 September 1892, the whaleback steamer JAMES B COLGATE (steel propeller
whaleback freighter, 308 foot, 1713 gross tons) was launched by the American
Steel Barge Co. (Hull #121) at W. Superior, Wisconsin. She only lasted until
1916 when she foundered in the "Black Friday Storm" on Lake Erie with the loss
of 26 lives.
ALGOWAY (2) left Collingwood on her maiden voyage in 1972 and loaded salt for
Michipicoten, Ontario on Lake Superior.
On 21 September 1844, JOHN JACOB ASTOR (wooden brig, 78 foot, 112 tons, Built
in 1835 at Pointe Aux Pins, Ontario but precut at Lorain, Ohio) was carrying
furs and trade goods when she struck a reef and foundered near Copper Harbor,
Michigan. She was owned by Astor’s American Fur Company. She was reportedly by
the first commercial vessel on Lake Superior.
On 21 September 1855, ASIA (2-mast wooden schooner, 108 foot, 204 tons, built
in 1848 at Black River, Ohio) was carrying corn from Chicago for Buffalo when
she collided with the propeller FOREST CITY off the mouth of Grand Traverse
Bay. ASIA went down in deep water in about 10 minutes, but her crew just had
enough time to escape in her boat. The schooner HAMLET picked them up.
Data from: Joe Barr, Dave Swayze, Ahoy & Farewell II, Historical Collections
of the Great Lakes, B.G.S.U. and the Great Lakes Ships We Remember series This is a small sample, the books include many other vessels with a much more
detailed history
Today in Great Lakes History - September 22
On 22 September 1942, the tug JOHN ROEN (steel propeller tug, 100 foot, built
in 1895 at Camden, New Jersey for the Army Corps of Engineers) was towing the
barges TRANSPORT (iron pulp-wood barge, 254 foot, 1397 gross tons, originally
built as a car ferry in 1880 at Wyandotte, Michigan; converted to a barge in
1933) and CITY OF ST. JOESPH (steel barge, 254 foot, 833 gross tons,
originally built in 1890 at W. Bay City, Michigan as a side-wheel passenger/package
freight steamer; converted to a barge in 1938), both carrying pulpwood, in a
severe storm on Lake Superior. The barges were cut loose in the rough weather,
but each one was driven ashore and wrecked near Eagle Harbor, Michigan. One
life was lost from the CITY OF ST. JOSEPH. Both barges were cut up in place for
scrap the winter of 1942-1943.
On September 22, 1958, the EDMUND FITZGERALD entered service, departing River
Rouge, Michigan for Silver Bay, Minnesota on its first trip. The FITZGERALD's
first load was 20,038 tons of taconite pellets for Toledo, Ohio. The vessel
would, in later years, set several iron ore records during the period from 1965
through 1969.
While in ballast, the ROGER M KYES (b, ADAM E CORNELIUS - 1989) struck bottom
in Buffalo Harbor September 22, 1976 sustaining holes in two double bottom
tanks and damage to three others, whereupon she proceeded to South Chicago
Illinois for dry docking on September 27, 1976 for survey and repairs.
While being towed from Duluth, Minnesota by the Canadian tug TUSKER on
September 22, 1980, the D G KERR (2) rammed into the breakwater at Duluth causing
$200,000 in damages to the breakwater. The tow apparently failed to make the
turning buoy leaving Duluth Harbor.
On September 22, 1911 the HENRY PHIPPS collided with and sank her Steel Trust
fleet mate, steamer JOLIET (1), which was at anchor on the fog shrouded St.
Clair River near Sarnia, Ontario. The JOLIET (1) sank without loss of crew and
was declared a total loss. The PHIPPS then continued her downbound journey
and collided with the Wyandotte Chemical steamer ALPENA (1) that incurred only
minor damage.
The T W ROBINSON and 265808, former BENSON FORD (2) departed Quebec City in
tow of the Polish tug JANTAR bound for Recife, Brazil where they arrived on
September 22, 1987. Scrapping began the next month in October.
The MATHILDA DESGAGNES was freed from polar ice in the Arctic on September
22, 1988.
September 22, 1913 - The ANN ARBOR NO 5 struck bottom in the Sturgeon Bay
Canal and damaged her rudder and steering gear. After undergoing repairs at
Milwaukee, Wisconsin, she was back in service the following October.
On 22 September 1887, ADA E ALLEN (wooden propeller steam barge, 90 foot, 170
gross tons, built in 1872 at Walpole Island, Ontario) caught fire while
moored at Amherstburg, Ontario She was cut loose and set adrift to prevent the fire
from spreading ashore. She drifted to Bois Blanc (Bob-Lo) Island and burned
to a total loss.
On 22 September 1882, Mr. H. N. Jex accepted the contract to recover the
engine and boiler from the MAYFLOWER, which sank in the Detroit River in 1864. He
was to be paid $600 upon delivery of the machinery at Windsor, Ontario. He
succeeded in raising the engine on 12 October and the boiler shortly thereafter.
Data from: Joe Barr, Dave Swayze, Max Hanley, James Neumiller, Jody Aho,
Father Dowling Collection, Ahoy & Farewell II, Historical Collections of the Great
Lakes at B.G.S.U and the Great Lakes Ships We Remember series This is a small sample, the books include many other vessels with a much more
detailed history
Today in Great Lakes History - September 23
On 23 September 1894, AGNES L POTTER (2-mast wooden schooner-barge, 134 foot,
279 gross tons, built in 1870 at St. Clair, Michigan as a 3-mast schooner)
went aground near the south pier at Grand Haven, Michigan in a severe gale. She
was being towed by the steamer CHARLES REITZ at the time. The crew was
saved. Although the POTTER took a severe pounding, she was recovered later and
lasted until 1906.
On 23 September 1910, BETHLEHEM (steel propeller package freighter, 290 foot,
2633 gross tons, built in 1888 at Cleveland, Ohio) was carrying general
merchandise when she went ashore in a gale on the SW side of South Manitou Island
in Lake Michigan. Lifesavers and the crew unloaded her over several days.
Although battered by several storms while ashore, she was eventually pulled free
and repaired. She lasted until 1925 when she was scrapped.
The scow WAUBONSIE was launched at the Curtis yard in Fort Gratiot, Michigan
on 23 September 1873.
Data from: Joe Barr, Dave Swayze, Father Dowling Collection, Ahoy & Farewell
II and the Great Lakes Ships We Remember series
This is a small sample, the books include many other vessels with a much more
detailed history
Today in Great Lakes History - September 24
On 24 September 1902, MOSES TAYLOR (steel propeller freighter, 416 foot, 4772
gross tons) was launched at the American Ship Building Company (Hull #320) in
Lorain, Ohio for the Cleveland Steamship Company (John Mitchell & Co.,
managers). Miss Isabelle Mitchell christened the vessel. The ship was renamed
SOODOC in 1926 and lasted until 1968 when she was scrapped in Italy.
On September 24th the A H FERBERT (2) went hard aground at the Cut-Off
Channel's southeast bend of the St. Clair River. Six tugs, GLENADA, ELMORE M MISNER,
BARBARA ANN, GLENSIDE, SHANNON and WM A WHITNEY, worked until late on the
26th to free her.
The FITZGERALD's first cargo of taconite pellets was loaded September 24,
1958 at Silver Bay, Minnesota. for Toledo, Ohio.
The PERE MARQUETTE 22 entered service September 24, 1924.
In early morning fog on the St. Clair River September 24, 1962 the J L REISS
was hit three glancing blows by U.S. Steel's SEWELL AVERY. The AVERY had lost
control just below Robert's Landing and crossed the channel from the Canadian
side and struck the J L REISS which was proceeding slowly by radar on the U.S.
side.
On September 24, 1952, the CHARKES L HUTCHINSON entered service. This vessel
was renamed ERNEST R BREECH when it was sold to the Ford Motor Company in
1962, and it was given its present name, KINSMAN INDEPENDENT, when it was sold to
Kinsman Lines in 1988.
On September 23, 1991, J W MC GIFFIN rescued several people in a 24' pleasure
craft off Presque Ile State Park. The group had been disabled since the day
before. They were taken aboard the MC GIFFIN and their boat taken under tow.
September 24, 1924 - The PERE MARQUETTE 22 arrived at Ludington, Michiganon
her maiden voyage.
On 24 September 1902, H A BARR (3 mast wooden schooner, 217 foot, 1119 gross
tons, built in 1893 at West Bay City, Michigan) was in tow of the “saltie”
THEANO with a load of iron ore in a storm 30 miles off Port Stanley in Lake
Erie. She broke her tow line in giant waves and foundered. THEANO rescued her crew.
On 24 September 1879, the tug URANIA was towing the schooner S V R WATSON
into Sand Beach at about noon when the schooner struck the tug amidships, cutting
a hole in the hull and sinking her in three fathoms of water. No lives were
lost.
Data from: Joe Barr, Dave Swayze, Max Hanley, James Neumiller, Jody Aho,
Father Dowling Collection, Ahoy & Farewell II and the Great Lakes Ships We
Remember series
This is a small sample, the books include many other vessels with a much more
detailed history
Today in Great Lakes History - September 25
At about 7:30 a.m. on 25 September 1883, EAST SAGINAW (wooden propeller bulk
freighter, 136 foot, 235 tons, built in 1866 at Marine City, Michigan) sank in
Lake Huron in about 25 fathoms of water near Sand Beach, Michigan. The crew
was saved by the steamer CONNEMAUGH. At 10:00 PM the previous night, the EAST
SAGINAW struck a reef off Sand Beach. She drifted and filled with water
through the night. The sunken vessel was eventually recovered and lasted until
1923.
In tandem tow, the MENIHEK LAKE and LEON FALK JR arrived at Vigo, Spain on
September 25, 1985. The MENIHEK LAKE was scrapped at Vigo, and the FALK was
towed to Gijón, Spain for scrapping.
The HENRY C FRICK departed Bay City, Michigan on her maiden voyage on
September 25, 1905 and rammed and damaged the Michigan Central Railroad Bridge at Bay
City.
On 25 September 1869, COMMENCEMENT (2-mast wooden schooner, 75 foot, 73 tons,
built in 1853 at Holland, Michigan) was carrying wood in her hold and
telegraph poles on deck from Pentwater, Michigan for Milwaukee when she sprang a leak
20 miles off Little Sable Point on Lake Michigan. The incoming water quickly
overtook her pump capacity. As the crew was getting aboard the lifeboat, she
turned turtle. The crew clung to the upturned hull for 30 hours until the
passing steamer ALLEGHENY finally rescued them. COMMENCEMENT later washed ashore, a
total wreck.
Data from: Joe Barr, Dave Swayze, Ahoy & Farewell II, Father Dowling
Collection, and the Great Lakes Ships We Remember series
This is a small sample, the books include many other vessels with a much more
detailed history
