Port Sanilac in Sanilac County, Michigan — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
St Clair Memorial
Photographed by Shirley J Reeve, October 3, 2026
1. St Clair Memorial Marker
Front:
Here lie three sailors from the barge St. Clair
Drowned October 2, 1888.
Geo. McFarland - Seaman Age 30
Cleveland, Ohio
Henry Anderson - Seaman Age 30
Australia
Julia Gravereatte - Cook Age 20
Sebewaing, Michigan
Back:
When the barge St. Clair foundered during a gale on Lake Huron on October 2, 1888, the crew of seven was picked up by Capt. Plough and the Harbor Beach Coast Guard crew. While attempting to make a landing south of the Port Sanilac dock about daybreak, a tremendous wave overturned the lifeboat. Five persons were drowned, all from the barge St. Clair. Capt. Jones and L. Furtaw were buried in Bay City.
Erected 1975.
Topics. This historical marker and memorial is listed in these topic lists: Disasters • Waterways & Vessels. A significant historical date for this entry is October 2, 1888.
Location. 43° 26.109′ N, 82° 33.172′ W. Marker is in Port Sanilac, Michigan, in Sanilac County. It is on Whitney Drive 0.1 miles north of Huron Street, on the left when traveling north. Marker is in Port Sanilac Cemetery. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 73-81 Whitney Drive, Port Sanilac
this page online
Regionally, this marker and memorial is on Michigan’s Thumb and in one of the Lake Huron Shore counties. It is also in the American Midwest. Globally, it is in North America, on the Great Lakes, in the Western Hemisphere, in the Western World, and in the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Northwest Territory.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Masonic and Town Hall (approx. 0.6 miles away); Screw (approx. 0.7 miles away); The "North Star" Anchor (approx. ¾ mile away); Port Sanilac Harbor of Refuge (approx. ¾ mile away); Port Sanilac Light Station - 1886 (approx. 0.8 miles away); Ward Cottage (approx. 0.8 miles away); Houndtown Cabin (approx. 0.8 miles away); The Decker Crib Barn (approx. 0.8 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Port Sanilac.
Photographed by Shirley J Reeve, October 3, 2026
2. St Clair Memorial
Photographed by Shirley J Reeve, October 3, 2026
3. St Clair Memorial
Credits. This page was last revised on October 14, 2026. It was originally submitted on October 4, 2026, by Shirley J Reeve of Grand Blanc, Michigan. This page has been viewed 6 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on October 4, 2026, by Shirley J Reeve of Grand Blanc, Michigan. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.
