Langell Shipyard Walking Tour (Tour)

Entries on This Tour

The tiles on this marker present an illustration of an 1880 photograph of Simon Langell and his wife Helen M. (Docoe) Langell in front of their homestead. The two-story wood home was located at the corner of Front and Fort Streets in St. Clair south of the Pine River immediately adjacent to Langell’s Shipyard. Simon Langell developed his boat building skills while growing up in Marine City, Michigan. He designed and built boats in St. Clair from the end of the Civil War until 1900. He was a self-taught man with many skills and became known as an industry leader in boat building. Often, he built boats without a commission, usually with neighbors financing their construction. When he did not have work for his shipyard, he designed boats for others. Somehow, he found the time to be St. Clair’s Mayor, serving six times.

2. ALFRED MITCHELL (Marker #2)

The tiles on this marker present an illustration of the Great Lakes freighter ALFRED MITCHELL underway with a full load of cargo. The 255-foot ALFRED MITCHELL was the last freighter built in St. Clair’s Langell Shipyard on the Pine River in 1900. Sold to an Alabama owner in 1917, the boat's registry was changed to Belgium in 1919.

3. KALIYUGA (Marker #3)

The tiles on this marker present an illustration of the Great Lakes freighter KALIYUGA under construction in St. Clair’s Langell Shipyard in 1886. The name KALIYUGA was meant to mean “Age of Iron.” At 269.5 feet, the KALIYUGA was the longest wooden boat built by Simon Langell and the longest on the Great Lakes at the time. Note the masts and the smoke funnels. At that time wooden steamers often had both masts and funnels to reduce insurance costs. Sailing under the Cleveland Cliffs fleet flag, the KALIYUGA was steaming downbound in Lake Huron with a load of iron ore on October 19, 1905, when she was lost in a storm off Presque Isle. All 17 hands aboard perished. The steamer Little Smith found remnants of the KALIYUGA pilot house floating in Georgian Bay near Cove Island 12 days later.

4. Langell Shipyard (Marker #4)

The tiles on this marker present an illustration of lumber piles and a work shed in the Langell Shipyard. In 1872, Simon Langell moved his shipyard from the St. Clair River to a 12-acre site immediately across the Pine River from this marker. Today, the St. Clair Boat Harbor and the city’s Sewage Treatment plant occupy the former shipyard site. Langell moved his shipyard from the St. Clair River to the Pine River because the Pine offered deeper waters along the shoreline which was better for side-launching boats. The Pine also had a slower current than the St. Clair River. The shipyard was a very industrial site and typical of that type of business in the late 1800’s. During the years from 1872 to 1900, Langell built 26 freighters, schooners and yachts ranging in length from the 42 ft. GROWLER to the 269.5 ft. KALIYUGA. After 1900, the shipyard became a repair and service site for wooden boats plying the Great Lakes.

5. MELBOURNE (Marker #5)

The tiles on this marker present an illustration of the single-masted wooden schooner MELBOURNE. The 169 ft. Great Lakes boat was built in the Langell Shipyard in 1880, the thirteenth boat built by Simon Langell in St. Clair. Even though it had a mast and sails, the MELBOURNE was designed primarily to be towed by steam barges. This was common practice for vessels on the Great Lakes during the mid to late 1800’s. During the boat’s 50 year sailing history, the MELBOURNE sank twice (1904 and 1909) but was raised both times. It was abandoned in Canada in 1930.

6. ARENAC (Marker #6)

The tiles on this marker present an illustration of the two-masted wooden schooner ARENAC carrying a full load of cut lumber. The 178 ft. Great Lakes boat was built in the Langell Shipyard in 1888, number 24 of 30 wooden freighters built by Simon Langell in St. Clair. Like other schooners built at this time, the ARENAC was designed for the lumber trades to be towed by steam barges. After 28 years of service on the Great Lakes, the ARENAC was sold to a New York owner and used in the Atlantic Coast trade. In 1923, she was sold to Cuban owners for tobacco shipping.

7. OSCAR T. FLINT (Marker #7)

The tiles on this marker present an illustration of the wooden steamer OSCAR T. FLINT underway in the Great Lakes. At 218 feet in length, the OSCAR T. FLINT was one of larger boats built in the Langell Shipyard. It was launched in St. Clair’s Pine River in 1889 at nearly the height of the shipyard’s production and began serving in the lumber, coal, ore & grain trades. Seven years after her launching, the OSCAR T. FLINT was rebuilt, adding 8 feet to her depth and 269 net tons of cargo carrying capacity as a result of this increased depth. After being bought by Andrew W. Comstock and Alex Sinclair of Duluth, Minnesota, the OSCAR T. FLINT was “rebuilt” back to the boat’s original depth and cargo carrying capacity. The boat burned and sank on November 25, 1909 six miles west of Thunder Bay Island in Lake Huron.

8. OSCODA (Marker #8)

The tiles on this marker present an illustration of the steamer OSCODA underway in the Great Lakes. The 175 ft. OSCODA was built of wood in the Langell Shipyard in 1878 with masts and the capability to be steam powered. The engine was “steepled” in 1885 at Globe Iron Works to give it a rating of 500 horsepower and 100 rpm for its propeller. A new scotch steam boiler replaced the original in 1893. On Nov. 8, 1914, while encountering gale force winds and while towing the barges ALICE B. NORRIS and A.C. TUXBURY, the OSCODA ran aground on Pelky Reef on the north shore of Lake Michigan west of the Straits of Mackinaw. As the OSCODA and TUXBURY began breaking up, the crews lashed together lumber being carried on their decks and rode the surf over the reef to the NORRIS. After the storm subsided, the tug SHENK came from the Soo and towed the NORRIS to St. Ignace. No lives were lost in the entire episode.

9. FONTANA (Marker #9)

The tiles on this marker present an illustration of the cabin and stern of the schooner FONTANA sunk after a collision with the barge SANTIAGO in the rapids of the St. Clair River on August 3, 1900. The 231 ft. FONTANA had been built in the Langell Shipyard in 1888. The schooner was carrying a load of iron ore in tow of the steamer KALIYUGA downbound opposite the Fort Gratiot light in a light fog when the SANTIAGO, in tow of the steamer APPOMATTOX, sheared into the FONTANA’S bow causing a big hole. The FONTANA sank in a few minutes with the loss of one life. John McGregor, who had joined the crew just two months prior to the collision, was asleep in the FONTANA’S forecastle when the collision occurred and had no chance to escape.

10. KALKASKA (Marker #10)

The tiles on this marker present an illustration of the steamer KALKASKA upbound in the St. Clair River in the early 1890’s. Built in 1884 in St. Clair’s Langell Shipyard, the 178 ft. KALKASKA spent the next 36 years carrying a variety of cargoes around the Great Lakes. During most of those years the primary cargo was lumber. In 1920, the KALKASKA was converted to a sand dredge and operated by the S.C. McLouth estate of Marine City, Michigan. On September 15, 1932, she caught fire and burned while docked in Marine City. The hull was raised and dismantled and the ships documents were surrendered about one month after the fire.

11. OGEMAW (Marker #11)

The tiles on this marker present an illustration of the steamer OGEMAW underway in the Great Lakes. Launched in St. Clair’s Pine River, this was the 15th wooden ship built in the Langell Shipyard. The 167 ft. OGEMAW carried lumber to a variety of ports on the Great Lakes. In 1891 the boat sprang a leak in Big Bay de Noque and sank in 11 fathoms (66 feet) of water. The entire crew was rescued by nearby boats. The OGEMAW was declared a total loss but was raised and rebuilt in 1895, sailing for another 28 years until catching fire near Harsens Island (St. Clair River) and burning to a total loss on the way to lay up in Marine City, Michigan. Once again the entire crew was rescued.

12. D.C. WHITNEY (Marker #12)

The tiles on this marker present an illustration of the steamer D.C. WHITNEY underway on the open waters of Lake Huron. Built in the Langell Shipyard and launched in 1882 in St. Clair’s Pine River, this 220 ft. wooden freighter had a checkered career for the next 68 years. During its first 25 years sailing the Great Lakes, it carried a variety of cargo and towed barges doing the same. Several times, the D.C. WHITNEY ran aground and needed the help of local tugs to pull it free. In 1892 it was lengthened by 9 feet and added a second deck giving it an additional 7 feet in depth. In 1908 it was sold to a new owner then rebuilt as the steamer GARGANTUA. Three years later, the boat was beached in Lake Ontario, recovered and converted to a barge. In 1920, the boat was converted to a floating drydock then totally abandoned in 1950.

13. CHAUNCY HURLBUT (Marker # 13)

The tiles on this marker present an illustration of the steamer CHAUNCY HURLBUT upbound in Lake Huron after leaving the St. Clair River. Launched on Nov. 27, 1873, the propeller-driven HURLBUT was one of the first wooden boats built in Simon Langell’s new shipyard on the Pine River. She was a double-decker and originally had three masts. For more than 30 years she carried coal and iron ore and towed barges carrying the same cargoes. In 1908, the HURLBUT was stranded in a storm west of Whitefish Point in Lake Superior but her crew was rescued. She sunk on August 21, 1910

14. NIPIGON (Marker #14)

The tiles on this marker present an illustration of the propeller-driven steamer NIPIGON downbound in Lake Huron near Lexington, Michigan. The 191 ft. NIPIGON was launched in 1883 after construction at the Langell Shipyard in St. Clair, Michigan. During her first few years of operation, she regularly towed the barge MELBOURNE. A new firebox boiler was installed in 1890 and a larger one in 1909. On July 21, 1906, the NIPIGON crashed through three gates on the Welland Canal in Ontario shattering her stem. In 1919, after several ownership changes, the NIPIGON was renamed the MAPLEHILL. A year later, the name was changed to MAPLEGRANGE. She was laid up and abandoned in Kingston, Ontario in 1925. Later that year, after all salvageable items were removed, the boat was scuttled in Lake Ontario’s deep water.

15. SIMON LANGELL (Marker #15)

The tiles on this marker present an illustration of the wooden steam barge SIMON LANGELL. This 195 ft. Great Lakes freighter was built in St. Clair’s Langell Shipyard in 1886 and named after the shipbuilder. She was originally operated by the Langell family’s Clair Transportation Co. engaged in the iron ore trade. In 1889, under the first of four new owners, the SIMON LANGELL delivered stone to Duluth, Minnesota, then brought 800,000 feet of lumber downbound on her return trip. The round trip took nearly a month because the SIMON LANGELL usually had three barges in tow. During her 50 years of regular sailing, she had two new and larger boilers installed for more power. On Nov. 23, 1936 the SIMON LANGELL caught fire and burned at the dock at Portsmouth, Ontario. The following year, the hull was raised, towed out into Lake Huron near Sarnia, Ontario and scuttled.

16. D.M. WILSON (Marker #16)

The tiles on this marker present an illustration of the wooden three-masted steamer D.M. WILSON in the Great Lakes using sails for additional power. The D.M. WILSON was the 7th boat built by Simon Langell and one of the first built in the new Langell Shipyard on the Pine River in St. Clair, Michigan. At 179.1 ft., the D.M. WILSON was the longest ship built by Langell when she was launched in 1873 for the coal, iron and grain trade. The freighter was also the first steamer built for the new Wilson Line. After sailing for 21 years, the D.M. WILSON sprang a leak on Oct. 27, 1894 twinty-five miles from the Thunder Bay light with the MANITOWOC in tow. Other steamers tried to tow her to Middle Island, but she foundered. The barge was saved and the crew taken off. The D.M. WILSON sank in 48 feet of water. The hull broke up and is now one of the shipwrecks in the Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary.

17. LANGELL BOYS (Marker #17)

The tiles on this marker present an illustration of the wooden steam barge LANGELL BOYS underway in Georgian Bay, Ontario to pick up a load of lumber for delivery to Michigan sawmills. The 151 FT. LANGELL BOYS was one of the last boats built in the Langell Shipyard. Launched in 1890, she carried lumber throughout her 41-year sailing career. Lumber was put into the ship’s hold but also piled as high as possible on the deck. This sometimes created a top heavy boat that struggled in storms. In 1898, the LANGELL BOYS lost 100,000 feet of deck load in a storm off Racine, Wisconsin. In 1907, under ownership of Mershon, Eddy, Parker Co., it had a dark red hull, white trim, white houses, Black stack and known as the “Little Red Barn.” On June 13, 1931, the LANGELL BOYS caught fire six miles off AuSable, Michigan, drifted and sank in 18 feet of water two miles off the AuSable pierhead. The crew of 12 was rescued by the U.S. Coast Guard.

18. AMOSKEAG (Marker #18)

The tiles on this marker present an illustration of the 135 ft. wooden schooner AMOSKEAG. It was one of the first boats built by Simon Langell in his St. Clair shipyards. As a schooner, the AMOSKEAG was usually towed by a steamer, initially the ROBERT HOLLAND, as part of the iron ore trade from the mines near Marquette, Michigan to the steel mills of Cleveland, Ohio. In 1883, the two-masted AMOSKEAG was re-built to a three-masted schooner and renamed the HORACE TABER. The boat continued carrying iron ore for another 39 years until she was stranded on Four Mile Point on Simcoe Island in Lake Ontario and became a total loss.

19. WELCOME (MARKER #19)

The tiles on this marker present an illustration of the wooden ferry WELCOME carrying passengers and cargo across the St. Clair River between Courtright, Ontario and St. Clair, Michigan. The 80 ft. double-deck WELCOME was the second last of 30 schooners, freighters and specialty boats built by Simon Langell in his shipyards at St. Clair. For several years, the WELCOME was owned by the Douglas Transportation Co., a subsidiary of the Diamond Crystal Salt Company, carrying cargo in connection with the Michigan Central Railway. In 1914 she carried tourist passengers on the Niagara River. Renamed the FRANKLIN in 1917, the ferry operated in the Niagara River area until being abandoned and left to sink in the river near its owner’s place (Charles Fix) on Grand Island, New York.

This Tour is a Virtual Museum or Site Tour.

Langell Shipyard Walking Tour

Created by Robert Freehan on January 8th 2022, 4:41:35 pm.

Get a QR Code for this tour

Description

This ¼ mile, nineteen-stop walking tour highlights Simon Langell’s prime role in St. Clair’s “heady” days of wooden shipbuilding. Langell came to St. Clair in 1860 to build wooden freighters for the growing Great Lakes shipping industry. Initially, Simon Langell built boats (locals refer to Great Lakes freighters as “boats”) on the St. Clair River south of the mouth of the Pine River. In 1872 he moved his shipyard to the Pine River where a slower current and deeper water shoreline made side-launching boats much easier. By 1900, Langell had built 30 boats ranging from 40 to 269 ft. long. Data and stories of 17 of those boats are shared on the walking tour.

Entries on This Tour

Langell Shipyard Walking Tour

Description

Share