Walter A. Sterling, grounding 4/6/1983

[BigRiver]

AP wirephoto, Tom Manse Collection

[BigB]

The Walter S. Sterling hit an onstruction below the Rock Cut in the early morning of April 6, 1983. The location was near Buoy 24, and after punching s 250-foot hole, she was intentionally run aground. She was refloated on April 8th after partially unloading her cargo into the Henry Ford II. The Sterling then went to Lorain for unloading and repairs, whilst the crew was sent to Toledo to fit-out the Edward B. Greene. This information is from the May 1983 issue of The Scanner, a publication of the Toronto Marine Historical Society.

[Guest - Steamboat]

The Sterling ran herself aground after striking a submerged object just below the Neebish Island Rock Cut. The cargo was offloaded to the Henry Ford II and she was pulled free by the tug Chippewa and was escorted to Lorain by the Chippewa. There is a photo of the incident in the May 1983 issue of the Anchor Line, the newsletter for the now inactive St. Mary's River Marine Society.

[guest]

Somewhere...I have a piece of hull plate from that accident. Al Hart

[Guest]

I'm going to say on the turn after the end of the Rock Cut, where you come to the lead light on Moon Island.

[Guest]

Lake Log Chips doesn't have anything more specific than what has already been listed. In fact, the description is almost verbatim, so it is the likely source of info. Bowling Green's site as well (not surprising considering they published Chips.

Might have to have an old Cliffs person spill the beans as to what happened.

[clarkjol]

The WAS went aground on April 6, 1983 in the St. Mary River, looking for a more exact location location this accident.

Also wanting to know how much this accident cost. She had a 280'
gouge port-side and was repaired by Amship in Lorain.

Any help would be much appreciated.

John

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