Daniel J. Morrell
1966
(Argos ASM-01)
- Type: Great Lakes bulk freighter
- Displacement: 7,763 gross tons
- Dimensions: 586 x 58 x 27 ft.
- Machinery: Steam VTE, single screw = knots
- Crew: 29
- Builder: West Bay City Ship Building Co., West Bay City, Michigan, 1906
- Service: Owned by Cambria Steamship Co. Broke in half and sank in Lake Huron in the early morning of 29 Nov 1966 during severe storm. She was sailing in ballast upbound when lost about 26 miles north of Harbor Beach, MI. Later analysis indicated her old steel left her particularly brittle in cold weather. The only survivor was Dennis Hale, who made it into a life raft with three others. By dawn two were dead, and the third died after land was sighted. Landing in an isolated spot, he was rescued 38 hours after the sinking, suffering from severe exposure. In all, twenty-eight lost their lives. The tragedy led to many changes in ship inspection -- sister ship Edward Y. Townsend was grounded for cracks in her steel -- and standards for life-saving equipment.
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