1911
FRANK R. DENTON was launched as a.) THOMAS WALTERS (Hull#390) at Lorain, Ohio by American Ship Building Co. for the Interstate Steamship Co., Cleveland, Ohio.
1916
HENRY G. DALTON (Hull#713) was launched at Lorain, Ohio by American Ship Building Co., for the Interlake Steamship Co., Cleveland, Ohio – the company’s first 600 footer.
1927
Heavy ice caused the MAITLAND NO. 1 to run off course and she grounded on Tecumseh Shoal on her way to Port Maitland, Ontario. Eighteen hull plates were damaged which required repairs at Ashtabula, Ohio.
1933
Captain Wallace Henry “Andy” Van Dyke, master of the Steamer PERE MARQUETTE 22, suffered a heart attack and died peacefully in his cabin while en route to Ludington, Michigan.
1966
The French freighter ROCROI, which made one trip through the Seaway in 1959, arrived at Halifax with interior damage after the ‘tween decks, loaded with steel, collapsed and crushed tractors and cars beneath. The vessel was repaired and survived until 1984 when, as e) THEOUPOLIS, it hit a mine en route to Berbera, Somalia, on August 14, 1984. The vessel was badly damaged and subsequently broken up in India.
1973
The former MONTREAL CITY caught fire as b) RATCHABURI at Bangkok, Thailand. It was loading a cargo of jute and rubber for Japan on its first voyage for new Thai owners. The vessel was scuttled and sank on March 25 in Pattani Bay, South Thailand. The ship began coming through the Seaway for the Bristol City Line when new in 1963.
1975
The steamer ENDERS M. VOORHEES participated in U.S. Steel’s winter-long navigation feasibility study during the 1974-75 season, allowing only one month to lay up from March 25th to April 24th.
2018
The Soo Locks opened early for the 2018 season with the upbound passage of AMERICAN CENTURY. She was followed by PHILIP R. CLARKE and EDGAR B. SPEER. The first passage was greeted by around 300 freighter fans gathered in Soo Locks Park and on the locks observation deck, opened specially for the event by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
2020
After a 10-week shut down for winter maintenance, the Soo Locks opened early for the 2020 season. H. LEE WHITE had the honor of starting the shipping season. BURNS HARBOR was the first downbound passage.
2022
The Soo Locks opened for the new shipping season with the upbound passage of Great Lakes Fleet’s 1,004-foot long EDGAR B. SPEER. Fleetmate EDWIN H. GOTT followed her up.
Contributors & Sources
Skip Gillham, Max Hanley, Joe Barr, Father Dowling Collection, Ahoy & Farewell II, and the Great Lakes Ships We Remember series from the Marine Historical Society of Detroit.
Compiled & Maintained by Roger LeLievre
