1923
1923: THOMAS FRIANT [Built 1884 by Duncan Robertson of Grand Haven, Michigan]Sprung a leak and sank twelve miles from Two Harbors, MN, Lake Superior, January 6, 1923, on voyage Bayfield, WI; no lives lost. [Source: BGSU]
1961
1961: While under tow heading for scrap, the HARRY R. JONES went aground at Androsan, Scotland, on January 6, 1961, and it wasn’t until February 15 that she arrived at her final port of Troon, Scotland.
1973
1973: The JOSEPH H. THOMPSON ran aground at Escanaba, Michigan, after departing that port.
1976
1976: The former GLADYS BOWATER was sailing as c) AGINOR when it caught fire and had to be abandoned off southwest Sicily. The hull was towed to Palermo, Italy, with serious damage and then to Piraeus, Greece, where it was laid up unrepaired. But the ship was resold, rebuilt and returned to service as d) ALEXANDRA in 1977. It was scrapped at Gadani Beach, Pakistan, as e) LAMYAA in 1985.
1979
1979: OTTO NUBEL first came to the Great Lakes in 1953 and returned regularly until the final four trips in 1959. The ship was sailing as b) MARIA III when there was an explosion in the engine room on January 6, 1979, near Tamomago Island, Spain. A fire followed and the vessel went aground where it was abandoned as a total loss.
1999
1999: January 6, 1999 – The Dow Chemical plant in Ludington, Michigan, announced a plan to close its lime plant, eliminating the need for Great Lakes freighters to deliver limestone.
2025
2025: The US Coast Guard received a report that the WILFRED SYKES experienced generator issues on Lake Superior . The crew contacted fleetmate JOSEPH L BLOCK which was nearby for an escort and assistance with anchoring. The BLOCK tied up alongside the SYKES, towing her on the hip to a safe anchorage in Batchawana Bay. The were no reported injuries. The block resumed her trip to Two Harbors, Minnesota
2025: 1-6-2025 TUG EVERLAST and her barge NORMAN McLEOD were the last vessels to transit The St. Lawrence Seaway for the 2024 season.
Data from: Skip Gillham, Max Hanley, Brian Bernard, Ahoy & Farewell II and the Great Lakes Ships We Remember series.
