Shipwreck Report: The Clay Tile

Identification & Site Information

•Vessel Name: Clay Tile

•Type: Steamer-Scow or Scow (uncertain)

•Official Number: 175654

•Dimensions:

•Length: 106 feet

•Beam (Width): 31 feet

•Depth: 7 feet

•Gross Tonnage: 206 tons

•Net Tonnage: 206 tons

•Construction Material: Presumed wood or steel (not specified)

•Owner: Harold F. Phillips, Port Huron, Michigan

•Location of Wreck: Saginaw River, 1.5 miles north of Crow Island, Lake Huron

•Date of Wreck: July 11, 1943

Vessel Type Description

The Clay Tile was either a scow or a Steamer-scow, a type of flat-bothttps://shotlinediving.com/wp-content/uploads/52895851813_b64678c0f7_c.jpged, utilitarian vessel commonly employed for carrying heavy or bulk cargoes like construction materials. Its dimensions and tonnage suggest a compact but capable design, suitable for navigating the shallower waters and tighter channels of the Saginaw River and adjacent Lake Huron regions. The ambiguity surrounding its precise classification adds to the vessel’s mysterious allure.

History

The Clay Tile is shrouded in mystery, with little known about its construction or operational history. Owned by Harold F. Phillips of Port Huron, the vessel likely served a practical purpose in the bustling maritime economy of the mid-20th century Great Lakes region. Whether it was transporting goods along industrial waterways or engaged in local commerce, the Clay Tile played a small but significant role in the area’s maritime landscape.

Final Voyage

On July 11, 1943, the Clay Tile met its enigmatic end on the Saginaw River, just 1.5 miles north of Crow Island. The details of its disappearance remain elusive, with no comprehensive account of the circumstances leading to the incident. Unlike many other shipwrecks with dramatic narratives, the story of the Clay Tile seems to have slipped through the cracks of historical record, leaving behind more questions than answers.

Final Disposition

The wreck of the Clay Tile remains beneath the waters of Lake Huron near the Saginaw River’s exit. Though its resting place is marked and known, little else has been documented about its condition or accessibility. The vessel’s remnants are a quiet testament to the fleeting nature of history and the many untold stories of Great Lakes shipwrecks.

NOTMARs & Advisories

There are no active Notices to Mariners (NOTMARs) regarding the Clay Tile, but the site is of interest to maritime historians and potentially to divers. As with all submerged wrecks, caution is advised when exploring or navigating near the area.

Located By & Date

The Clay Tile’s wreck site is documented in historical records but has not been extensively surveyed or explored in modern times. Its precise coordinates and condition remain largely unknown, perpetuating its enigmatic legacy.

Current Condition & Accessibility

The condition of the Clay Tile is unverified due to the lack of modern surveys or detailed exploration. It is presumed that remnants of the vessel still exist beneath the waters near Crow Island, though their state and accessibility are unclear. Given its age and wooden construction, significant deterioration is likely.

Resources & Links

•Maritime History of the Great Lakes: Archival details on shipwrecks like the Clay Tile.

•NOAA Great Lakes Environmental Research: Resource for exploring Great Lakes shipwrecks.

•David Swayze Shipwreck File: Potential historical entries related to the Clay Tile.

Conclusion

The Clay Tile embodies the mystery and allure of Great Lakes shipwrecks. While its story lacks the dramatic details of more famous wrecks, its quiet disappearance serves as a poignant reminder of the countless vessels lost to the waters over centuries of maritime history. The vessel’s fate invites speculation and research, standing as a silent echo of the past beneath the tranquil waves of Lake Huron.

Keywords

#ClayTile #LakeHuronShipwreck #SaginawRiver #GreatLakesMysteries #SteamerScow #MaritimeHistory #LostVessel