1952 SS Philip R. Clarke

The Philip R. Clarke is another classic freighter that is worthy of its own notes.

Cedric Woodard posted
C.N. Duluth today.

 

Because it is one of the few remaining classic freighters with the pilothouse on the bow, it is popular with the boatfans.

Scott's Canal Captures posted
Great Lakes Fleet's 767-foot freighter Philip R. Clarke (1952) docks at the their owner's dock in Duluth to load iron ore pellets for US Steel's Gary Works (August 21st, 2023).

BoatNerd, 1 of many photos

It was built in Lorain as "629.4 x 70.2 x 31.3, 11623 GT, 8690 NT." It was launched in 1951 and entered service in 1952. It had a steam turbine engine and with oil-fired boilers, and it produced 7000 shaft horsepower. In 1974 it was lengthened by 120' in Fraser and "remeasured to 749.4 and 13796 GT, 10827 NT." In 1982 it was converted to a self-unloader in Fraser and "remeasured to 12341 GT, 9372 NT." [GreatLakesVesselHistory]

Modifications [GreatLakesShips]:

• Modified for saltwater operations, 1962.
• Bow thruster installed, 1966.
• Lengthened by 120′, Fraser Shipyards, Superior, Wisconsin, 1974.
• Converted to self-unloader, Fraser Shipyards, Superior, Wisconsin, 1982.
• Stern thruster installed, Fraser Shipyards, Superior, Wisconsin, 1988.
• Self-unloading boom lengthened by 12′, Rogers City, Michigan, 1994.

zzz

Michael Chase posted

She's lookin' good!

The 70 year old Philip R. Clarke captured here this past week as she passes the new Gordie Howe International Bridge crossing between Windsor and Detroit.

Owned by the Great Lakes Fleet Inc. of Duluth, Mn.

Aerial Photography and videography by Windsor Aerial Drone Photography.   

Residential - Commercial - Industrial - Agricultural - Marine

Licensed by Transport Canada

Scatt's Canal Captures posted ten photos with the comment: "Yesterday I had an awesome opportunity to tour the steamer Philip R. Clarke (1952) as they were loading Minntac flux pellets for Gary, Indiana at CN#6. The Clarke is a significant piece of Great Lakes maritime history being one of the last steam-powered ore carriers out there. Thanks a ton for showing me around your home Dan! (August 22nd, 2023)"

1

2

3

4

5

6
[Some comments confirm this is the tunnel that connects the bow and stern so that the crew can stay out of the weather.]

7
Barry Klinetobe: It's hard to imagine having to control your ship from the stern in heavy storms when the steering fails in the wheelhouse.

8

9

10

Al Miller posted two images with the comment: "By April 1951 work was well under way [in the Lorain shipyard] on the future Philip R. Clarke. This photo was among many that Pittsburgh Steamship Co. released to newspapers during construction of the AAA-class boats."

1

2

The late 70s was a bad time for her. "Grounded on Chapman Shoal, near Clayton, NY, on October 1, 1972. Went to Canadian Vickers, Montreal, Quebec, for bottom repairs; cleared there on November 8, 1972. Struck in stern by ROGER BLOUGH while maneuvering in ice in Straits of Mackinac, January 11, 1973. Rubbed side of Kinsman freighter MERLE M. MCCURDY as was passing latter vessel opposite Grosse Point Farms, MI, on December 8, 1974. CLARKE went into Lorain for an estimated three days for repairs to starboard after quarters. MCCURDY reportedly received only minor damages. In collision with USCGC MACKINAW on March 21, 1976, when latter vessel was slowed by an ice jam and CLARKE could not stop. Accident took place in Whitefish Bay, Lake Superior, after which both vessels proceeded to the Soo for inspection. CLARKE went to Lorain, OH, for hull repairs. Sustained small hole in bow from winter navigation, winter 1977-1978. Repaired at Two Harbors, MN, April 1978. Cracked shaft repaired at Superior, WI, in June 1978. Suffered mechanical damage to steering engine February 1979 in Lake Superior ice; damage discovered at Two Harbors, MN, on February 21. Collided with and ripped out approximately seventy-five feet to the Shell Oil dock at Sarnia, Ontario (December 20, 1983). August 29, 1983, vessel's anchor snagged a crushed automobile containing two decomposed bodies." [bgsu]