Other Names
- NIPIGON
History
In the annals of maritime history, the story of the Stephen C. Clark stands as a testament to the perilous nature of life on the Great Lakes. Originally known as the steamer Nipigon, the vessel was later renamed Stephen C. Clark in 1887. From its fiery encounter with disaster to its ultimate demise, the Stephen C. Clark’s journey is one marked by challenges, resilience, and the complex interactions of man and machine.
The Transformation
Built in 1874 at Montreal, Canada, by A. Cantin, the Stephen C. Clark was initially christened as the steamer Nipigon. This vessel, measuring 140 feet in length, 26 feet in width, and 10 feet in depth, would undergo significant changes over the years. In 1886-7, following a fire at Clayton, NY, it was sold to the U.S. and underwent a transformation. Renamed the Stephen C. Clark, the ship was rebuilt in Chicago, Ill., with a home port in the very same city.
A Fiery Ordeal
On June 20, 1893, the Stephen C. Clark found itself facing a perilous challenge. The freighter, laden with lumber, was engulfed in flames off Port Sanilac, MI. The crew, faced with the menacing threat of the fire consuming their vessel, evacuated with the help of the propeller Kalkaska. As the flames raged, the situation appeared dire, and the ship’s very survival hung in the balance.
Heroes of the Waters
In the midst of the chaos, a glimmer of hope emerged. The tug Desmond, bravely sailing into the inferno, fought the flames with determination. Through their valiant efforts, the fire was eventually extinguished. The partially-destroyed Stephen C. Clark, though scarred and battered, was spared from total annihilation. Yet, the challenges were far from over.
A Quest for Redemption
The vessel was towed to Marine City, with hopes of possible rebuilding. However, fate had a different plan. Despite the aspirations for rejuvenation, the vessel’s hull remained largely untouched. The dreams of resurgence faded, and in 1912, the remnants of the Stephen C. Clark were finally removed. The document bearing its history was surrendered at Port Huron, marked with the solemn annotation of “total wreck.”
A Tug of War
The journey of the Stephen C. Clark was not without its share of tribulations. In August 1891, the ship unexpectedly sank at Ludington, sparking a contentious dispute with an insurance company over the responsibility for its revival. A tussle ensued, revealing the intricate web of financial and bureaucratic entanglements that often characterized the maritime world.
An End of an Era
As the decades passed, the Stephen C. Clark transitioned from a vessel of promise to one of memories. From the fiery ordeal that threatened its existence to the valiant efforts of those who battled the flames, the Stephen C. Clark’s story mirrors the ebb and flow of life on the Great Lakes. It stands as a symbol of the resilience of mariners, the unpredictability of the waters, and the legacy of a vessel that left an indelible mark on maritime history.
