SS Daniel J. Morrell facts for kids
The SS Daniel J. Morrell was a large American ship that sailed on the Great Lakes. It was an ore carrier, meaning it usually carried heavy materials like iron ore. This ship was 603 feet long, which is longer than two football fields! Sadly, the Morrell sank during a very bad storm on November 29, 1966. The ship actually broke into two pieces before it went down. Out of 29 crew members, only one person survived this terrible event.
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What Was the SS Daniel J. Morrell?
The SS Daniel J. Morrell was built in 1906. It was designed to carry huge amounts of ore across the Great Lakes. These lakes are like inland seas in North America. Ships like the Morrell were very important. They helped move raw materials needed for factories and industries. The Morrell was a "bulk carrier," meaning it carried loose cargo. It was a common sight on the lakes for many years.
Life on a Great Lakes Freighter
Working on a Great Lakes freighter like the Morrell was a unique job. Crew members spent weeks at a time on the water. They would travel between different ports. One port might load iron ore from a mine. Another port would unload it at a steel mill. The ships operated almost all year. They only stopped when the lakes froze over in winter.
The Final Voyage
On November 29, 1966, the Daniel J. Morrell was sailing on Lake Huron. It was carrying a load of iron ore pellets. A very powerful storm hit the Great Lakes that night. The storm brought strong winds and huge waves. The waves were so big they crashed over the ship's deck. The temperature was also freezing cold. This made the conditions even more dangerous.
The Ship Breaks Apart
The storm was too much for the old ship. Around 2:00 AM on November 29, the Morrell began to break apart. The ship's structure could not handle the stress of the massive waves. It split into two pieces. The front part and the back part of the ship separated. Both sections quickly sank into the icy waters of Lake Huron.
The Lone Survivor
Out of the 29 people on board, only one crewman survived. His name was Dennis Hale. He was a watchman on the ship. When the Morrell broke apart, Dennis was thrown into the freezing water. He managed to find a life raft. He was wearing only his pajamas and a life jacket.
Surviving the Cold
Dennis Hale spent many hours in the life raft. The temperatures were below freezing. He was exposed to the harsh winds and cold water. He saw other crew members on different rafts, but they did not survive the cold. After more than 38 hours, a search plane spotted Dennis. He was rescued by a Coast Guard ship. His survival was truly amazing. It showed incredible strength and luck.
Legacy of the Morrell
The sinking of the SS Daniel J. Morrell was a sad event. It reminded everyone of the dangers of sailing on the Great Lakes. Even large, strong ships can be overcome by severe storms. The event led to new safety rules for ships. These rules helped make shipping safer for future crews. The Morrell remains a famous shipwreck. It is a reminder of the power of nature.
