Identification & Site Information

• Name: James W. Curran
• Former Names: None
• Registration Number: 176167
• Date Built & Launched: 1947
• Builder: Collingwood Shipyards, Collingwood, Ontario, Canada
• Hull Material: Steel
• Hull Number: 143
• Vessel Type: Automobile Ferry
• Original Owner: International Transit Co., Ltd.
• Power & Propulsion Propulsion: Single Screw
• Hull Dimensions  Length: 103 feet (31.4 meters)  Beam: 34 feet (10.4 meters) Depth: 8 feet (2.4 meters)
• Gross Tonnage: 189

Service History

The James W. Curran was launched on June 14, 1947, by Collingwood Shipyards in Ontario, Canada. Designed as an automobile Ferry, she was capable of carrying 20 cars and operated across the St. Marys River between Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan, and Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario. This service was managed by the International Transit Company, facilitating cross-border transportation for vehicles and passengers.

In 1961, ownership of the James W. Curran transferred to the Ontario Department of Highways. The vessel continued its Ferry operations until October 30, 1962, when the opening of the International Bridge between the twin Sault Ste. Marie cities rendered the Ferry service obsolete. Subsequently, the James W. Curran was laid up, awaiting reassignment.

Final Voyage & Sinking

• Date of Loss: May 9, 1964
• Location: Approximately 18 miles (29 kilometers) north of Saginaw Bay, Lake Huron
• Cause: Foundered during a storm while under tow
• Tug Involved: G.W. Rogers
• Casualties: None

In early May 1964, the James W. Curran and her sister ship, the John A. McPhail, were destined for new service routes near Kingston, Ontario. On May 8, 1964, the Canadian Dredge and Dock Company Tug G.W. Rogers departed Sault Ste. Marie, towing both ferries in tandem. The convoy encountered deteriorating weather conditions as they progressed into Lake Huron, facing a west-southwesterly gale with winds reaching 35 to 40 knots and waves up to 15 feet high.

Despite efforts to manage the challenging conditions, the James W. Curran began taking on water due to her riverine design, which was ill-suited for open lake storms. The Tug’s crew attempted to adjust the Towline to mitigate the strain, but the situation worsened. Eventually, the James W. Curran Foundered and sank approximately 18 miles north of Saginaw Bay. The John A. McPhail remained afloat for a short period before also succumbing to the storm. Fortunately, there were no casualties reported from the incident.

Wreck Information

• Depth: Approximately 210 feet (64 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
• Maritime History of the Great Lakes
• International Ferry – Chippewa County Michigan Genealogy & History
• David Swayze Shipwreck File
• G.W. Rogers – Great Lakes Tugs & Workboats
• Great Lakes Ships

Conclusion

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

Keywords: James W. Curran, 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.