1924 — Sep 22, freighter Clifton sinks, Lake Huron storm, ~30m North of Oscoda, MI-27-30

–27-30 Blanchard estimated death toll.*

— 30 Marshall Evening Chronicle, MI. “Body of Sailor Found In Lake.” 10-16-1924, p. 1.
–28 crew
— 2 wife and child of a crewmember
— 28 Ashcroft. “Mystery Solved: S.S. Clifton discovered in Lake Huron.” WZZM TV13, MI.
— 28 AP. “Find No Trace of Missing Freighter.” Ironwood Daily Globe, MI, 9-26-1924, p. 1.
— 28 Evening Chronicle, Marshall, MI. “Steamer Clifton Given up as Lost.” 9-26-1924, p. 1.
— 28 Evening Chronicle, Marshall, MI. “Wreckage From…Steamer Clifton…” 9-29-1924, p. 2.
— 28 U.S. Steamboat-Inspection Service. Annual Report 1925, p. 15.
— 27 Berman, Bruce D. Encyclopedia of American Shipwrecks. 1972, p. 239.
— 27 Nash, Jay Robert. Darkest Hours. 1977, p. 698.
— 27 Swayze. Shipwreck!…Directory of…Shipwrecks on the Great Lakes. 1992, p. 55.

* Blanchard estimated death toll. The newspaper reports of the time fairly uniformly report 28 crewmembers lost, based on statements from the Progress Steamship Co., the ship’s owner. Additionally it was later reported that the cook, Sam Stevenson, had his wife and baby onboard. This makes thirty deaths in all, which is our best estimate of a definitive death toll. This would not be changed if reports are accurate of three of those listed getting off the boat prior to the storm, for undisclosed reasons, and being replaced by three named men at Sturgeon Bay.

The only reason we show a range of 27-30 is because Berman, Nash and Swayze show 27 deaths, though we do not understand how this number was derived. We can understand the reports of 28 deaths, since this was the reported crew complement, and the writers were probably unaware of the woman and baby onboard.

Narrative Information

Swayze: “Clifton. Steel whaleback bulk freighter of 3,500 t. [tons] and 308 ft., launched in 1892, at W Superior, WI as the Samuel Mather.

“Lake Huron: This self-unloading whaleback was downbound with a load of crushed stone when she was struck by a powerful gale on September 22, 1924. The big steamer went down about 30 miles west by northwest of Oscoda, Michigan, with the loss of all 27 of her crew.” (Swayze. Shipwreck!…Directory of…Shipwrecks on the Great Lakes. 1992, p. 55.)

US Steamboat Inspection Service: “On the morning of September 21, 1924, the steamer Clifton, of 1,713 gross tons, left Sturgeon Bay, Wis., loaded with stone, for Detroit, Mich., and has not been heard from since. Some wreckage was picked up on Sunday, September 28, about 70 miles from Goderich, Ontario [opposite MI Shore], on the Detour-Goderich course by the Canadian steamer Glencairn, consisting of part of the Clifton’s pilot house, in which was a clock that had stopped at 4 o’clock, and it is thought that the Clifton foundered at 4 a.m., September 22, 1924 and that all on board (a crew of 28) lost their lives.” (U.S. Steamboat-Inspection Service. Annual Report 1925, p. 15.)

Newspapers

Sep 25: “Port Huron, Mich., Sept. 25. – (United Press). – The missing whaleback steamer Clifton bound from Sturgeon Bay, Wis., to Detroit, today was nearly three days overdue here.

“The only information of its movements since it passed Mackinaw Sunday was an unconfirmed report that it had docked At Oscoda, Mich., over 100 miles north of here, for a few hours Tuesday.

“Failure to notify the Progress Steamship Company, Cleveland, owner of the ship, of the stop has led to the belief that some other vessel was confused with the Clifton. Fear that the ship might have met disaster in the gales which swept Lake Huron Sunday and Monday is still prevalent.

“Other ships have taken up the search, and coast guard stations along the shore have been on the look-out.

“The Clifton was carrying a load of stone.” (United Press. “Ship, Three Days Overdue on Lake, Sought by Many.” Traverse City Record, MI. 9-25-1924, p. 1.)

Sep 26: “(By Associated Press). Cleveland, O., Sept. 26 – A hydroplane, tugs and beach patrols were today added to the agencies being employed to find some trace of the whaleback freighter Clifton, now definitely believed to have foundered with her crew of 28 officers and men in the gale which swept Lake Huron Sunday night.

“ ‘We have abandoned virtually all hope for the safety of the Clifton and her crew,’ A. S. R. Schneider, general manager of the Progress Steamship company, Cleveland owners, said. Schneider added, however, that officers of his company, as well as marine men, were unable to understand why, if the Clifton did founder, no wreckage or other evidence of the tragedy had not been tossed up on the shores or had not floated to the surface of the lake….

List of Men On Board.

“The following list…registered as aboard the Clifton when she sailed up the lake was given out by the vessel’s owners last night but three of them had left the vessel, and in their place Robert Steadman, Harold Hart and Lawrence Kane shipped at Sturgeon Bay. [We break the paragraph into separate lines, alphabetize and number (though three of this number did not ship out.]

1. Auger, William Not on Company list Sturgeon Bay Wisc.
Bonnett, Emil J. Assistant Cook Detroit Mich. [Got off in Toledo.]
2. Brower, Leo Watchman Sturgeon Bay Wisc.
3. Brusseau, Walter R. Not on Company list Amasa Mich.
4. Burns, Peter Wheelsman St. James Mich.
5. Canty, D. (or P. ) Position not noted. Toledo Ohio
6. Diller, C. H. Porter Detroit Mich.
7. Dorey, Kenneth Handyman Manitowoc Wisc.
8. Erdman, Russell Oiler Sturgeon Bay Wisc.
9. Gallagher, Emmett D. Captain St. James Mich.
10. Guth, Stanley Deck hand Sturgeon Bay Wisc.
11. Haen, Bernard Oiler Sturgeon Bay Wisc.
12. Hamilton, John Assistant Cook Detroit Mich.
13. Hart, Harold A replacement, not on original list — got on at Sturgeon Bay WI
14. Husak, George Deck hand Sturgeon Bay Wisc.
15. Jensen, Harvey Watchman Sawyer Wisc.
16. Kane, Lawrence A replacement, not on original list — got on at Sturgeon Bay WI
17. Maples, George Conveyor operator Sturgeon Bay Wisc.
18. McDonough, A. P. Second Mate, New York NY
19. Miller, Edward Fireman Toledo Ohio
20. Oertling, Walter J. Chief Engineer Sturgeon Bay Wisc.
21. Olsen, A.J. Deck hand South Chicago Ills.
22. Peck, Edward L. First Mate, Green Bay Wisc. [body recovered Oct 24]
23. Purdy, Pearl Conveyor operator Sturgeon Bay Wisc.
24. Soderstrom, Bernard Deck hand Washburn Wisc.
25. Scheid [or Seheld ), Joe Wheelsman St. James Mich.
26. Shepley, L. Coal Passer Sturgeon Bay Wisc.
27. Steadman, Robert A replacement, not on original list — got on at Sturgeon Bay WI
28. Stevenson, Sam Cook Benton Harbor Mich.
29. Stevenson, Mrs. Sam Wife of cook/Steward
30. Stevenson, baby of Mr. and Mrs. Stevenson
31. Sullivan, J.E. Second Engineer, Mitchell S.D.
32. Writt, Rolland Oiler Escanaba Mich. [Body recovered.]

(Assoc. Press. “Find No Trace of Missing Freighter.” Ironwood Daily Globe, MI, 9-26-1924, p.1.)

Sep 29: “United Press. Alpena, Mich., Sept. 29. – More wreckage from the ill-fated whaleback steamer Clifton has been encountered, according to a report from the fishing tug Falcon, of Alpena.

“The Clifton, which has been missing for a week, is now definitely known to have been wrecked during the gale which swept Lake Huron Sept 21 and 22. It carried a crew of 28 men.

“The cabin door of the ship and part of the cabin were picked up by the Falcon 45 miles south of Alpena. Other wreckage from the Clifton had been previously found by the steamer Glencairn of the Great Lakes Transportation company.” (Evening Chronicle, Marshall, MI. “Wreckage From the Steamer Clifton Found.” 9-29-1924, p. 2.)

Oct 16: “(By United Press) Sault Ste. Marie, Oct. 16. – The steamer Pollock is on its way here today with the body of a sailor believed to have been a member of the crew of the wrecked steamer Clifton. The victim was about 22 years old and had distinctive tattoo marks on his right hand. He was apparently a member of the engine room force. The body was found in the vicinity of Thunder island.

“The Clifton is believed to have gone down off Port Huron early this month. Twenty-eight members of the crew and the wife and child of one of the men were lost.” (Marshall Evening Chronicle, MI. “Body of Sailor Found In Lake.” 10-16-1924, p. 1.)

Oct 25: “(By Associated Press) Green Bay, Wis., Oct. 25 – They body of E. L. Peck, first mate of the ill-fated freighter Clifton, which foundered in Lake Huron on Sept. 22 with all hands, was picked up by a steamer bound for Cleveland yesterday, according to a telegram received here today. This is the fourth body to be recovered.” (Associated Press. “Steamer Picks up Body of Clifton First Mate.” Daily Globe, Ironwood, MI. 10-25-1924, p. 1.)

Sources

Ashcroft, Brent. “Mystery Solved: S.S. Clifton discovered in Lake Huron.” WZZM TV13, Grand Rapids, MI. Accessed 11-19-2020 at: https://www.wzzm13.com/article/news/local/michigan-life/mystery-solved-ss-clifton-discovered-in-lake-huron/477353651?scroll=2304

Associated Press. “Fate of Boat Long Overdue Undetermined.” Escanaba Daily Press, MI. 9-26-1924, p.1. Accessed 11-19-2020: https://newspaperarchive.com/escanaba-daily-press-sep-26-1924-p-1/

Associated Press. “Find No Trace of Missing Freighter.” Ironwood Daily Globe, MI, 9-26-1924, p. 1. Accessed 11-18-2020 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/daily-globe-sep-26-1924-p-1/

Associated Press. “Steamer Picks up Body of Clifton First Mate.” Daily Globe, Ironwood, MI. 10-25-1924, p. 1. Accessed 11-19-2020 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/daily-globe-oct-25-1924-p-13/

Berman, Bruce D. Encyclopedia of American Shipwrecks. Boston: Mariners Press Inc., 1972.

Escanaba Daily Press, MI. “Clifton Cook Wintered Here.” 10-1-1924, p. 5. Accessed 11-19-2020 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/escanaba-daily-press-oct-01-1924-p-5/

Escanaba Daily Press, MI. “Lake Gives Up Sailor’s Body.” 10-17-1924, p. 3. Accessed 11-19-2020 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/escanaba-daily-press-oct-17-1924-p-3/

Escanaba Daily Press, MI. “Sailor on Missing Boat, Said to be from Esky, Unknown.” 9-28-1924, p4. Accessed 11-19-2020 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/escanaba-daily-press-sep-28-1924-p-4/

Evening Chronicle, Marshall, MI. “Steamer Clifton Given up as Lost.” 9-26-1924, p. 1. Accessed 11-18-2020 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/evening-chronicle-sep-26-1924-p-1/

Evening Chronicle, Marshall, MI. “Wreckage From the Steamer Clifton Found.” 9-29-1924, p. 2. Accessed 11-19-2020 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/evening-chronicle-sep-29-1924-p-2/

Nash, Jay Robert. Darkest Hours – A Narrative Encyclopedia of Worldwide Disasters from Ancient Times to the Present. New York: Pocket Books, Wallaby, 1977, 792 pages.

Swayze, David D. Shipwreck! A Comprehensive Directory of Over 3,700 Shipwrecks on the Great Lake. Boyne City, MI: Harbor House Publications, Inc., 1992.

United Press. “Ship, Three Days Overdue on Lake, Sought by Many.” Traverse City Record, MI. 9-25-1924, p. 1. Accessed 11-18-2020 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/traverse-city-record-eagle-sep-25-1924-p-1/

United States Steamboat-Inspection Service. Annual Report of the Supervising Inspector General, Steamboat-Inspection Service to the Secretary of Commerce for the Fiscal Year Ended June 30, 1925. Washington, DC: Government Printing Office, 1925. Digitized by Google. Accessed at: http://books.google.com/books?id=oafNAAAAMAAJ