Belle Isle in Detroit in Wayne County, Michigan — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

S.S. William Clay Ford / U.S.S. Yantic

Pilot House / Anchor

Photographed By J.T. Lambrou, October 16, 2021

1. S.S. William Clay Ford / U.S.S. Yantic Marker

Inscription. S.S. William Clay Ford
Pilot House
The S.S. William Clay Ford provided years of reliable service transporting iron ore and coal from the upper Great Lakes to the River Rouge Steel Plant, a subsidiary of Ford Motor Company. Built in 1953 at the Great Lakes Engineering Works in River Rouge, Michigan as a 647-foot straight-decked vessel, the S.S. William Clay Ford was lengthened to 767 feet in 1979. It was named for the grandson of Ford Motor Company founder Henry Ford.

The ship is most recognized for the valor of its captain and crew on the night of November 10, 1975. Captain Don Erickson ordered his ship out of the safety of Whitefish Bay, where the vessel was anchored, to search for the missing S.S. Edmund Fitzgerald on Lake Superior. Fortunately, the Ford survived the storm that claimed the "Mighty Fitz."

As freighter technology advanced, the William Clay Ford became increasingly less profitable. In 1987, as the ship was being scrapped, its pilot house was removed and donated to the Dossin Great Lakes Museum by E. Steven Robinson.

U.S.S. Yantic
Anchor
This iron anchor was originally used on the U.S.S. Yantic, and is typical of those used

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during the second half of the nineteenth century. The U.S.S. Yantic, a Civil War era sailing vessel, retired to the Great Lakes to serve as a training vessel for the Michigan Naval Militia. The militia was a volunteer organization composed mostly of college-aged Detroiters. They are recognized for their service aboard the auxiliary cruiser U.S.S. Yantic during the Spanish-American War. The anchor was donated to the museum by the Koenig Coal and Supply Co. in 1960.

Fact - Was the U.S.S. Yantic designed as Abraham Lincoln's Presidential Yacht? Evidence to support that legend has not surfaced, and the tradition of presidential yachts did not begin until the 1880s.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Waterways & Vessels. A significant historical date for this entry is November 10, 1975.

Location. 42° 20.069′ N, 82° 59.113′ W. Marker is in Detroit, Michigan, in Wayne County. It is in Belle Isle. Marker can be reached from The Strand near Picnic Way. Located at Dossin Great Lakes Museum. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 100 The Strand, Detroit MI 48207, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. S.S. Edmund Fitzgerald (a few steps from this marker); Flag Pole (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named S.S. Edmund Fitzgerald (within

<i>S.S. William Clay Ford</i> Pilot House image. Click for full size.

Photographed By J.T. Lambrou, October 16, 2021

2. S.S. William Clay Ford Pilot House

shouting distance of this marker); War of 1812 Cannons (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named S.S. Edmund Fitzgerald (within shouting distance of this marker); Perry's Victory (within shouting distance of this marker); History of the Canals (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); The Dancer (about 800 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Detroit.

Additional keywords. S.S. William Clay Ford / U.S.S. Yantic

Photographed By J.T. Lambrou, October 16, 2021

3. S.S. William Clay Ford / U.S.S. Yantic Marker

View of marker with Canada visible across the Detroit River

U.S.S. Yantic</i> Anchor image. Click for full size.

Photographed By J.T. Lambrou, October 16, 2021

4. U.S.S. Yantic Anchor

Photographed By J.T. Lambrou, October 16, 2021

5. S.S. William Clay Ford / U.S.S. Yantic Marker

Located at the museum near the Detroit River

<i>U.S.S. Yantic</i> image. Click for full size.

Public domain - Unknown, Pre/1923

6. U.S.S. Yantic

Credits. This page was last revised on February 12, 2023. It was originally submitted on October 16, 2021, by J.T. Lambrou of New Boston, Michigan. This page has been viewed 325 times since then and 51 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on October 16, 2021, by J.T. Lambrou of New Boston, Michigan. • Mark Hilton was the editor who published this page.