Ship Report: J.C. Clark / T.D. Dole / James Clark

IDENTIFICATION & SITE INFORMATION

• Original Name: T.D. Dole

• Other Names: J.C. Clark, J.C. Clarke, James Clark

• Type: Propeller Wood Package Ferry

• Year Built: 1865

• Builder: D.M. Dole, Marine City, Michigan

• Hull Material: Wood

• Gross Tonnage: Not specified

• Home Ports: Port Huron, Michigan, and Sarnia, Ontario

VESSEL TYPE DESCRIPTION

The J.C. Clark began its life as the T.D. Dole, a propeller-driven Ferry designed for transporting packages, goods, and passengers. Ferries like this were common on the Great Lakes, connecting ports and facilitating trade across the international waters of the U.S. and Canada.

CHRONOLOGICAL HISTORY

Early Years as T.D. Dole (1865–1871)

• Built in Marine City, Michigan, the vessel served as a wood package Ferry, focusing on transportation in the bustling Great Lakes region.

• 1870: Nearly destroyed in a fire at Erie, Pennsylvania, but survived the incident.

Transition to J.C. Clark (1871–1905)

• 1871: Sold to Canadian owners and renamed J.C. Clark, transitioning to service between Port Huron and Sarnia.

• Ownership passed between several parties, including:

• T. Bury of Sombra

• W.B. Clark of Sarnia

• Sarnia Transportation Co. (1895).

• The vessel primarily operated as a Ferry, transporting passengers and goods across the St. Clair River.

Incidents and Challenges

• 1878: Capsized near Sarnia, Ontario. Details of this event are limited, but the ship was salvaged and returned to service.

FINAL DISPOSITION

Fire in Port Huron

• Date: May 13, 1905

• Location: Black River, Port Huron, Michigan

• Event: While docked at the Ferry terminal, a devastating fire engulfed the vessel.

• Cause: The cause of the fire is unknown.

• Outcome: The ship was destroyed, marking the end of its service and existence.

LEGACY

The J.C. Clark (formerly T.D. Dole) is remembered as a resilient vessel that survived numerous incidents, including fire and capsizing, before ultimately succumbing to a tragic blaze in 1905. Its history reflects the challenges faced by wooden vessels operating on the Great Lakes during the 19th and early 20th centuries.

SIGNIFICANCE IN MARITIME HISTORY

The vessel’s eventful journey is a testament to the dynamic nature of Great Lakes shipping, where ferries like the J.C. Clark played vital roles in connecting communities and fostering trade. Its transitions in ownership and its survival through multiple disasters underscore the economic and cultural importance of such ships in regional maritime heritage.

TAGS

#JCCLARK #TDDOLE #JamesClark #GreatLakesHistory #FerryService #Shipwreck #MaritimeHistory #Sarnia #PortHuron

RESOURCES & LINKS

• Merchant Vessel Lists (Various Years)

• Great Lakes Maritime History Database

• Buffalo Evening News Archives (Multiple Dates)

• Mitchell & Co.’s Marine Directory of the Great Lakes, 1912

• Green’s Marine Directory of the Great Lakes, 1919

• American Bureau of Shipping – Great Lakes Department

CONCLUSION

The J.C. Clark’s story is a vivid chapter in the history of Great Lakes navigation. Its evolution from a package Ferry to a Canadian Ferry trade vessel and its ultimate demise in a tragic fire are emblematic of the resilience and hazards faced by ships of its time. Despite its destruction, the ship’s legacy lives on as a reminder of the importance of maritime commerce in shaping the region’s economic and cultural fabric.