Other Names
- William H. Reid
History
Originally built in 1924 by J. White & Co. in Cowes, Isle of Wight, England, as a steel propeller ship named NORMAN P. CLEMENT, this vessel underwent several transformations over the years. Initially measuring 252 feet in length, 43 feet in width, and 20 feet in depth, she had a gross tonnage of 1729 and a net tonnage of 1112.
NORMAN P. CLEMENT, once owned by Eastern Steamship Ltd. of Port Colborne, Ontario, and later by Upper Lakes & St. Lawrence Transportation Co., underwent a significant change in 1962 when she was converted from a bulk carrier to an acid tanker. Renamed WILLIAM H. REID, she continued her service under Tank Truck Transport Ltd. and Chembarge Ltd. In her new role, she became an oil-fired sulfuric acid tanker with a carrying capacity of 2,700 gross tons.
However, tragedy struck the vessel on October 16, 1968. While undergoing repairs for grounding damage at Collingwood Shipyards, Ltd. in Collingwood, Ontario, an explosion occurred on board, resulting in injuries to 11 individuals. The blast was attributed to gas fumes, leaving NORMAN P. CLEMENT heavily damaged beyond repair.
In the wake of the explosion, she was declared a constructive total loss. Efforts were made to neutralize the remaining gas fumes, and the decision was made to tow the vessel to a final resting place. On October 23, 1968, she was towed by the tug DANA T. BOWEN to a point off Christian Island in Georgian Bay. There, in waters 350 feet deep, NORMAN P. CLEMENT was scuttled, marking the end of her maritime journey.
The ship’s tragic demise serves as a reminder of the dangers inherent in maritime operations, especially when dealing with volatile substances. Despite her varied roles over the years, from a bulk carrier to an acid tanker, NORMAN P. CLEMENT met a tragic end due to an unforeseen explosion during her repairs.
