Boatnerd Discussion Forum

The "William Clay Ford" was the last of the AAA's to be built by GLEW. She was launched May 5, 1953 - taking just over a year to build. The yard would then get by, surviving solely on repair & conversion work, until their most famous (infamous?) contract was secured. The laying of the keel on August 8, 1957 for the "Fitz" would be the first new work they would get in over four years. Attached are photos of Ford and his widow, at the time of christening his namesake vessel. Martha Firestone Ford (she was grand-daughter of tire baron Harvey Firestone) still survives him. It is interesting to note that there was nearly a 30 year gap, before this third and youngest son of Edsel Ford got "his" boat, as the "Henry Ford II" & the "Benson Ford" (another GLEW product) were sufficient for the auto-makers needs for that period of time.

Yes it was.

The Ford was a AAA

Was the William Clay Ford a AAA?

Love the "Passage of time" painting. Very reminiscent for us boatnerds.

This is a photo of the drawing by Paul Essamaker of the Anderson, entitled "Concerned for the Welfare." Also included is a copy of his drawing "Passage of Time," which is my favorite and shows the Griffon, the Olds, and a footer.

Grizzly wrote:

Scott wrote:I remember a painting titled "Where are they?" Depicting the Anderson and William Clay Ford, spotlights glowing, searching for survivors in heavy weather that fateful night. Mr. Ford was indeed a Great Lakes Icon.

That was a painting by Doris Sampson of Duluth. Should still be able to get prints of it from her.

Back on topic, always sad when people pass away. Don't know the man personally but hope he lead a good life and left a legacy he would be proud of.

http://pioneerproductions.blogspot.com/ ... chive.html
is this the painting?

Being an artist, I can understand the use of 'artistic liberty' showing the Ford and Anderson in 'close proximity' in their search for the Fitzgerald, but it's my opinion that the Anderson should have been painted as she appeared in that time frame, not after her conversion. That's pushing 'artistic liberty' a bit too far.

I remember about 25 years ago seeing a print of the Anderson and the Ford searching Lake Superior that portrayed the Anderson with a self-unloading boom. This was at an art fair somewhere in northern Michigan (cannot remember the artist). As the Anderson did not receive her self-unloading conversion until 1982, such a portrayal was not correct. I would be inclined to believe that any portrayal of these ships being in close proximity during their search that night would be the byproduct of artistic liberty. Given the storm conditions that night I highly doubt they came near each other, but I may be incorrect. In all fairness, such depictions provide an intriguing aspect to that stormy night.

John Decator wrote:I have a print of the Anderson searching for the Fitz. It was part of a series created by artist Paul Essamaker.

Is there anywhere to see a copy of this one?

I have a print of the Anderson searching for the Fitz. It was part of a series created by artist Paul Essamaker.

Scott wrote:I remember a painting titled "Where are they?" Depicting the Anderson and William Clay Ford, spotlights glowing, searching for survivors in heavy weather that fateful night. Mr. Ford was indeed a Great Lakes Icon.

That was a painting by Doris Sampson of Duluth. Should still be able to get prints of it from her.

Back on topic, always sad when people pass away. Don't know the man personally but hope he lead a good life and left a legacy he would be proud of.

It may be hard for those who don't ply the lakes to understand, but when the call goes out of a ship in danger, everyone stops to help the stricken vessel. Sailors know only to well the power of the inland seas. I've read the accounts of Bernie Cooper's decision to leave safe Harbor that night to search for the Fitzgerald survivors. In his heart he may have known there was no hope, but he put his ship in harms way regardless. I remember a painting titled "Where are they?" Depicting the Anderson and William Clay Ford, spotlights glowing, searching for survivors in heavy weather that fateful night. Mr. Ford was indeed a Great Lakes Icon.

Denny wrote:Heard about it as well today. Sad to hear of his passing and that he never was able to see his beloved Lions get to the Super Bowl and even win one. The Detroit news media spent the majority of their time talking about him and his relationship to the Detroit Lions organization. I agree that this was an important news story but, they left out the Maritime History that surrounded Ford in his lifetime. Nothing was mentioned about any ships barring his name or the fact the Ford also searched for survivors of the Fitzgerald. They never once mentioned the fact that the Ford's pilothouse is now part of the Dossin Great Lakes museum at Belle Isle. I don't think much was mentioned about him and his relationship as well to the Ford Motor Company and how he played an important role in the company's history as well.

denny, your right. the media never looks into anything anymore. they just tend to stay on one topic and one topic only, and yet they tend to leave a lot out. this past November, I heard very little about the storm or 1913, if anything. I don't even recall if anything was said this year about the fitz. if they keep ignoring it, nobody will ever know it ever happened.it will enventually be nothing but a forgotten memory, and that's the way things are today. it is sad that I say this, but its true.

Heard about it as well today. Sad to hear of his passing and that he never was able to see his beloved Lions get to the Super Bowl and even win one. The Detroit news media spent the majority of their time talking about him and his relationship to the Detroit Lions organization. I agree that this was an important news story but, they left out the Maritime History that surrounded Ford in his lifetime. Nothing was mentioned about any ships barring his name or the fact the Ford also searched for survivors of the Fitzgerald. They never once mentioned the fact that the Ford's pilothouse is now part of the Dossin Great Lakes museum at Belle Isle. I don't think much was mentioned about him and his relationship as well to the Ford Motor Company and how he played an important role in the company's history as well.

news came today that William Clay Ford, namesake of the ship that carried that same name, and owner of the Detroit lions, has passed. he was 88.