Daniel J. Morrell - Port Hope, MI - Michigan Historical Markers on Waymarking.com

SS Daniel J. Morrell sank during a severe storm on Lake Huron in 1966. The bow and the stern split during the event and sunk 5 miles apart in less than 200 feet of water. There was only one survivor - Dennis Hale who clung to a piece of life raft for over 30 hours in 34 degree water.

Historical Date: 11/29/1966 Historical Name: Dennis Hale Description: A standard 600-footer with breadth of 58 feet and drawing 27.4 feet, the Daniel J. Morrell was a turn-of-the-century bulk freighter hauling limestone, coal, iron ore and taconite. The Morrell was one of the few documented cases of a great Lakes vesel breaking in two because of a storm. The loss of life was caused by a lack of distress signals - the electrical power was cut off when the Morrell broke in two. The bow and stern are almost five miles apart on the bottom of Lake Huron. The following crew members lost their lives as a result of this disaster: Crawley, Arthur I., Master • Kapets, Phillip E., First Mate • MacLeod, Duncan R., Second Mate • Marcotte, Ernest G., Third Mate • Fosbender, Charles H., Wheelman • Rischmiller, Henry, Wheelman • Campbell, Stuart A., Wheelman • Whoeme, Albert P., Watchman • Bragg, Norman M., Watchman • Davis, Larry G., Ordinary Deckwatch • Grow, John M., Ordinary Deckwatch • Stoke, Arthur E., Deckhand • Clear Jr., John J., Deckhand • Schmidt, John H., Chief Engineer • Marchildon, Valor A., First Assistant Engineer • Norkunas, Alfred G., Second Assistant Engineer • Dahl, George A., Third Assistant Engineer • Simpson, Wilson E., Oiler • Worcester, Donald E. Oiler • Konieczka, Chester, Fireman • Fargo,Arthur S., Fireman • Grippi, Saver, Coalpasser • Truman, Leon R., Coalpassser • Price, David L., Coalpasser • Satlawa, Stanley J. Steward • Homick, Nicholas, Second Cook • Mashem, Joseph A., Porter • Sestakaukas, Charles J., Porter The following crew member was the sole survivor of this disaster: Hale, Dennis N. Watchman There are six missing crew that have never been found. In 1922, the Daniel J. Morrell was the first Great Lakes vessel to be equipped with a gyro compass. The compass now resides in the Smithsonian Institute in Washington, D.C. Gyro compasses are now widely used for navigation on all ships due to its advantages over the magnetic compass. Inset photo captions from bottom: Dennis Hale with a piece of the Life Raft on which he spent 39 hours during the storm. He was rescued by the Coast Guard less than half a mile below Pointe aux Barques Lighthouse. Dennis passed away on September 2, 2015 at his home in Ashtabula, Ohio. The raft piece is on display in the Pointe aux Barques Museum Bow section lies in 180 feet of water, 19.60 nautical miles from Pointe aux Barques Lighthouse. Coordinates are 44 degrees, 18.320' N, 82 degrees, 45.161' W. Stern section lies in 120 feet of water, 16.36 nautical miles from Pointe aux Barques Lighthouse. Coordinates are 44 degrees, 15.478' N, 82 degrees, 50.088 W. Parking nearby?: yes D/T ratings: website: [Web Link] Registered Site #: N/A

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Date Logged Log User Rating   05/31/2024 wildernessmama visited it