Identification & Site Information

• Name: John A. McPhail
• Year of Build: 1955
• Official Number: Not documented
• Construction: Steel Hull
• Builder: Collingwood Shipbuilding Co., Collingwood, Ontario, Canada
• Vessel Type: Automobile Ferry
• Original Owner: Ontario Department of Highways
• Power & Propulsion  Propulsion: Twin-screw  Engine Type: Diesel  Number of Propellers: 2
• Hull Dimensions  Length: 115 feet (35.1 meters)  Beam: 36 feet (11 meters)  Depth: 8 feet (2.4 meters)
• Gross Tonnage: 186

Service History

Launched on June 4, 1955, the John A. McPhail was constructed by the Collingwood Shipbuilding Co. in Ontario, Canada. Designed as an automobile ferry, she was capable of carrying 18 cars and 450 passengers. The vessel operated across the St. Marys River, facilitating transportation between Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, and Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan. This service was managed by the International Transit Company, providing a vital link between the two cities.

In 1961, ownership of the John A. McPhail was transferred to the Ontario Department of Highways. The Ferry continued its operations until October 30, 1962, when the opening of the International Bridge rendered the Ferry service obsolete. Subsequently, the John A. McPhail was laid up, awaiting reassignment.

Final Voyage & Sinking

• Date of Loss: May 10, 1964
• Location: Approximately 18 miles (29 kilometers) north of Pointe Aux Barques Lighthouse, Lake Huron
• Depth: Approximately 200 feet (61 meters)
• Cause: Sank during a storm while under tow
• Tug Involved: G.W. Rogers
• Casualties: None

In early May 1964, the John A. McPhail and her sister ship, the James W. Curran, were being towed to Kingston, Ontario, for redeployment. On May 8, 1964, the Tug G.W. Rogers departed Sault Ste. Marie, towing both ferries in tandem. As they entered Lake Huron, the convoy encountered severe weather conditions, including a west-southwesterly gale with winds reaching 35 to 40 knots and waves up to 15 feet high.

The James W. Curran, being towed directly by the G.W. Rogers, began taking on water due to her design, which was ill-suited for open lake conditions. Despite efforts to manage the situation, the James W. Curran Foundered and sank. The John A. McPhail, connected to the James W. Curran by a Towline, was subsequently dragged down and also sank. Fortunately, there were no casualties reported from the incident.

Wreck Information

• Depth: Approximately 200 feet (61 meters)
• Condition: Both ferries rest on the lakebed; specific details about their current state are limited.

Resources & Links

• Ferry Boats: “James W. Curran” and “John A. McPhail” Lost at Sea
• David Swayze Shipwreck File
• Maritime History of the Great Lakes
• Sault Ste. Marie Ferries – Summer 1964
• Great Lakes Ships
• Remember This? A local ferry tale – Sault Ste. Marie – SooToday.com

Conclusion

The loss of the John A. McPhail and her sister ship, the James W. Curran, highlights the challenges faced by vessels transitioning from riverine to open lake operations. Their sinking during the tow to Kingston serves as a poignant reminder of the unpredictable and often perilous nature of the Great Lakes.

Keywords: John A. McPhail, automobile ferry, Sault Ste. Marie, Lake Huron shipwreck, G.W. Rogers, International Transit Company, Ontario Department of Highways, Great Lakes maritime history

Categories: Shipwrecks, Maritime History, Great Lakes History, Ferry Transportation

Glossary Terms:

• Foundered: A term used to describe a vessel filling with water and sinking.
• Screw Propulsion: A method of propulsion in which a ship is driven by one or more propellers.
• Gross Tonnage: A measure of the overall internal volume of a vessel.
• Towline: A line used to tow a vessel.