Port Huron in St. Clair County, Michigan — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

The Storm

Photographed By J.T. Lambrou, August 15, 2022

1. The Storm Marker

Inscription.

The Great Storm of 1913 lasted from November 7th through the 11th. It is often referred to as the "Big Blow", the "Freshwater Fury" or the "White Hurricane". The storm hit four of the five Great Lakes, and was particularly ferocious in Lake Huron.

After weathering the storm within the tower, Captain Frank Kimball (seen below in the background photo taken after the storm), was quoted as saying,

"I watched waves as high as 30 to 40 feet pounding on the Light Station, and I think if the storm had lasted another hour the Light Station would have been wiped-out."

At the end of the storm, 19 ships were destroyed, and 19 others were stranded. Over 250 lives were lost.

Erected by Port Huron Museum, Saint Clair County, Michigan Dept of Environmental Quality, and NOAA.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Disasters • Waterways & Vessels. A significant historical month for this entry is November 1909.

Location. 43° 0.4′ N, 82° 25.347′ W. Marker is in Port Huron, Michigan, in St. Clair County. Marker is about 125 feet north of the lighthouse at Fort Gratiot Light Station County Park, where Lake Huron empties into the St. Clair River. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 2800 Omar Street, Port Huron MI 48060, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other

Paid Advertisement

Click on the ad for more information.
Please report objectionable advertising to the Editor.

Click or scan to see
this page online

markers are within walking distance of this marker. Seeing the Light (here, next to this marker); Learning from Lake Huron (here, next to this marker); Sending a Signal (here, next to this marker); Keepers Duties (here, next to this marker); Fort Gratiot Light (here, next to this marker); U.S. Coast Guard (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); a different marker also named Fort Gratiot Light (about 500 feet away); Great Storm of 1913 and Sailors Memorial (approx. 0.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Port Huron.

Related marker. Click here for another marker that is related to this marker. Great Storm of 1913 and Sailors Memorial

Also see . . .
1. Remembering the Great Lakes Storm of 1913. Great Lakes Guide website entry (Submitted on February 26, 2022, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)

2. Fort Gratiot Lighthouse. Port Huron Museums website entry (Submitted on August 8, 2014, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.)

3. Fort Gratiot Light Station: A St. Claire County Park. Park brochure PDF (Submitted on August 8, 2014, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.)

Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., July 5, 2014

2. The Storm Marker

Fort Gratiot Lighthouse and Markers image. Click for full size.

Photographed By William Fischer, Jr.

3. Fort Gratiot Lighthouse and Markers

Fort Gratiot Lighthouse image. Click for full size.

Photographed By William Fischer, Jr.

4. Fort Gratiot Lighthouse

Credits. This page was last revised on July 3, 2023. It was originally submitted on August 8, 2014, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania. This page has been viewed 506 times since then and 19 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on December 18, 2022, by J.T. Lambrou of New Boston, Michigan. 2, 3, 4. submitted on August 8, 2014, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.