1887
1887: Wolf & Davidson of Milwaukee sold the JIM SHERIFFS (wooden propeller, 182 foot, 634 gross tons, built in 1883, at Milwaukee, Wisconsin) to Kelley Island Line on 19 February 1887.
1907
1907: CITY OF TOLEDO [Built-1865 by John F Squires at Toledo, Ohio] As Schooner: While passing through Belle Isle Bridge, Detroit, MI, with load of coal, and in tow of propeller JAMES FISKE JR, July 21, 1906, draw closed of schooner, breaking off spars and opening her seams. Vessel sank in Middle Ground off Owen Park. Enrollment surrendered at Toledo, OH, February 19, 1907, and endorsed \”Vessel Lost.\” Wreck raised and rebuilt as lighter by Harris W. Baker; redocumented as schooner at Detroit, MI, October 10, 1908.
1940
1940: C.D. THOMPSON [Built-1893 US-126998 by Jenks Shipbuilding Co, Port Huron, Michigan] Final enrollment surrendered at Albany, NY, February 19, 1940, and endorsed \”abandoned.\”
1942
1942: FLORENCE D [Built-1919 US-218471 as LAKE FARMINGDALE by Super Ship Building Co. Renamed: FLORENCE D-1924 Philippines] As FLORENCE D was bombed and sunk by Japanese aircraft in Diemans Bay, off Bathurst Island, February 19, 1942. Cargo consisted of 3,000 reels barbed wire, 51,900 lbs. telephone wire, 250,000 lbs. sole leather, 16 cases airplane wings and tail cone fuselages, 160,000 rounds ammunition, 300,000 lbs. bulk sugar, and some hot/cold rolled sheeting. Sold by U.S. Government, 1956, to Australian syndicate for salvaging but not acted upon. Put up for auction, 1971
1951
1951: The b.) TROY H. BROWNING, c.) THOMAS F. PATTON was towed from the James River with two other C4s, LOUIS MC HENRY HOWE, b.) TOM M. GIRDLER and MOUNT MANSFIELD, b.) CHARLES M. WHITE, to the Maryland Dry Dock Co., Baltimore, Maryland, February 1951, to be converted to a Great Lakes bulk carrier according to plans designed by J.J. Henry & Co., New York, New York.
1977
1977: CITY OF MIDLAND 41 [Built-1941 US-240326 by Manitowoc Ship Building Co, Manitowoc, Wisconsin. Renamed: PERE MARQUETTE 41 after being cut converted to barge in 1998] As CITY OF MIDLAND 41 lost propeller in heavy ice on February 19, 1977, and sustained some hull damage in ice, winter 1976-1977. To Bay Shipbuilding yard for repairs about first of April, 1977.
1978
1978: BLACK BAY [Built-1962 C-318682 by Collingwood Shipyards LTD at Collingwood, Ontario. Renamed: CANADIAN VOYAGER-1994 C-318682] As BLACK BAY: Aft cabins gutted by fire while at Montreal in winter lay-up, 19 February, 1978
1979
1979: EAGLESCLIFFE HALL [Built-1957 by Grangemouth Dockyard Co..LTD, Scotland C-188893 Other names: EAGLESCLIFFE-1974] As EAGLESCLIFFE: Ran aground in the Aransas Pass, February 19, 1979. Refloated and arrived in New Orleans, LA, on March 9, 1979
1981
1981: SIR JOHN CROSBIE [Built-1962 by Port Weller Dry Docks LTD C-118774 Other Names: TERRA NOVA-1979] As TERRA NOVA: Disabled by crank case explosion, February 9, 1981, in position 52.09N x 52.17W; towed into St. John’s, Newfoundland, on February 15, 1981, for repairs
1981: The Indian freighter JYOTI VINOD, a Seaway caller as a) JALAZAD beginning in 1969, departed Bombay with a cargo of jute, general freight and school buses. The nightmare voyage, which proved to be its last, did not reach Tema, Ghana, until December 23, 1981
1992
1992: VIHREN, a Bulgarian built and flagged bulk carrier, was driven on the breakwall at Tuapse, USSR, in severe weather. The vessel later broke in two. The ship first came inland in 1983 headed for Thunder Bay. The two sections of the hull were refloated and each arrived at Aliaga, Turkey, for dismantling in August 1992.
1997
The tanker barge GREAT LAKES, pushed by the tug MICHIGAN was damaged when the combination “nudged” the EJ&E and Canal Street Bridge In Indiana Harbor. Minor hull fractures on the startboard side ballast tanks were discovered as the unit was approaching Grand Traverse Bay. These cracks caused the barge to take on water which was handled by the on board tanks.The unit will have permanet repairs made in Chicago.
2025
2025: The Polish Steamship Company (Polsteam) of Szczecin, Poland, has sold and renamed three of its former Laker-class vessels, all of which were built in 1999. Each made its last inland visit in 2024. The ISA (IMO 9180358) is now the SELVANA of Panamanian registration. The ISADORA (IMO 9180372) is now the TOMKAR also of Panamanian registration. ISOLDA (IMO 9180360) now sails as the HIZMIR Reis of Tuvalu registration. Thus far the IRYDA and IRMA, built in 2000, have yet to be sold or renamed
Data from: Skip Gillham, Joe Barr, Father Dowling Collection, Ahoy & Farewell II and the “Great Lakes Ships We Remember” series.
