1869

At 4:00 p.m., the schooner CARLINGFORD was launched at the Fitzgerald and Leighton yard in Port Huron, Michigan, with plenty of spectators on hand. Robert Montgomery of Buffalo, the owner, built the vessel for the grain trade. Her capacity was 30,000 bushels of grain. After launching, she still had to have her masts (96 feet, 98 feet, and 94 feet) and rigging installed. At the time, she was the largest sailing vessel built in Port Huron. Her dimensions were 165 feet overall with a 155-foot keel, 31-foot-6-inch beam, and 12-foot-8-inch depth. 50 men worked on her, and she cost $35,000.

1905

The wooden steamer CALEDONIA sank in Lake Superior while towing the barge JOHN M. HUTCHINSON. It was later refloated and returned to service.

1913

The whaleback steamer ANTIKOKAN went ashore in a spectacular grounding at Marine City but was released and returned to service.

1987

The CADILLAC was towed by the tugs GLENADA and ELMORE M. MISNER from Toledo’s Frog Pond on the first leg of her journey to be scrapped.

1994

INDIANA HARBOR went to Sturgeon Bay for repairs after going aground at Muskegon, Michigan.

Contributors & Sources

Joe Barr, Max Hanley, Skip Gillam, Ahoy & Farewell II, and the Great Lakes Ships We Remember series from the Marine Historical Society of Detroit.

Compiled by Roger LeLievre.