Copyright USGenNet Inc., 2012, All Rights Reserved USGenNet Data Repository Please read USGenNet Data Repository Copyright Statement on this page: Submitted by Linda Talbott for the USGenNet Data Repository http://www.us-data.org/ ========================================================================= Formatted by USGenNet Data Repository Chief Archivist, Linda Talbott All of the above information must remain when copied or downloaded. =========================================================================== VESSEL NAME: Clarion OTHER NAME(S): - OFFICIAL NO: 125937 DATE OF LOSS: 9 December 1909 REASON: Fire LOCATION: Lake Erie, off Point Pelee RIG TYPE: Steamer, package freighter HULL TYPE: Composite BUILDER: Detroit Dry Dock Co., Wyandot, MI - 1881 OWNER(S): Anchor Line MASTER: Capt. Thomas Bell TONNAGE: 1,712 gt DIMENSIONS: 240 x 36 x 15 CASUALTIES: 15 SURVIVORS: 6 Enroute from Chicago, IL to Erie, PA., on her final run for the season carrying flour, feed, oil cakes and glucose. Thirteen men, including the captain, launched a small lifeboat but were all lost in the storm. Mate, James Thompson, was lost while attempting to put out the fire in the hold. Oiler, James McCauley, drowned while attempting to save a sinking lifeboat. The remaining 6 survived four hours on the burning CLARION before being rescued in a heroic move by the freighter L.C. HANNA with Captain Mathew Anderson in command. On the third attempt the bow of the L.C. HANNA was brought under the stern of the CLARION allowing the six survivors to jump aboard. ======================================================================== Sources: Bowen "Shipwrecks of the Lakes" Bourrie, "Many a Midnight Ship" Greenwood "NAMESAKES 1900 - 1909" The Daily Star (Fredericksburg, VA) 10 December 1909 Last updated 16 August 2014