Copyright USGenNet Inc., 2015 All Rights Reserved USGenNet Data Repository Please read USGenNet Copyright Statement on this page: Submitted by Linda Talbott for the USGenNet Data Repository http://www.us-data.org/ ========================================================================= Formatted by USGenNet Data Repository Chief Archivist, Linda Talbott All of the above information must remain when copied or downloaded. =========================================================================== VESSEL NAME: Alexander Nimick OTHER NAME(s): (often as Alex. Nimick) OFFICIAL NO: 106702 DATE OF LOSS: 21 September 1907 REASON: Storm LOCATION: Lake Superior, 1-1/2 miles northwest of Vermillion Point RIG TYPE: Propeller, bulk freight HULL TYPE: Wood BUILDER: J. Davidson Shipyard, West Bay City, MI., 1890 OWNER(S): Gilchrist Transportation Co., Cleveland, OH MASTER: Capt. John Randall TONNAGE: 1,968 gt DIMENSIONS: 298.33 x 40 x 21 CASUALTIES: 6 SURVIVORS: 11 In August, 1907, the NIMICK had sprung a leak during heavy weather and was dry docked at Cleveland for repairs at a cost of $1,400. The NIMICK cleared from Buffalo Harbor on September 15th bound for Duluth with 3,200 ton of hard coal in her hold. After laying under Whitefish Point throughout the night of the 20th, the NIMICK got under way at 6:25 the following morning as the weather had improved. They were off Grand Marais when the wind swung to the northwest and began blowing a gale. By 1:30 that afternoon the seas were so heavy and such little headway was being made that they turned and began to run back for the shelter of Whitefish Point. Tossed by wind and wave the NIMICK developed a serious leak. When off Crisps Point the whistle was blown in an attempt to attract the attention of the life-savers there. Turning back into the wind a heavy sea stove in the port bow and port gangways. NIMICK carried two lifeboats; one forward and the other aft. As the crew prepared to abandon the foundering vessel the raging seas reached up and snatched the steward from the deck and the forward lifeboat from its davits, smashing the lifeboat's keel on the port rail and splitting it in two. Ten remaining men gathered themselves into the remaining lifeboat and, by some miracle, managed to survive the gale and land her on the beach near the Vermillion life-saving station. This was John Randall's first voyage as master of the ALEXEXANDER NIMICK. He had replaced Captain Frank Bertrand, whose master and pilot's license had been suspended on September 11th for violation of the pilot rules in connection with a collision with the S. S. CURRY in Blackwell Canal, Buffalo Harbor. List of the lost: John Randall, Captain Lewis Ruby, Wheelsman John Johnson, Watchman John Parent, Steward (unknown), Watchman (unknown), Fireman ======================================================================== Sources: Annual Report of the Steamship Inspection Service, 1908 Annual Report of the U.S.L.S.S., 1908 Merchant Vessel List, 1908 (Losses) Marine Review, Vol. 37, 1908 Greenwood "Namesakes 1900-1909" Ludington Daily News, 9 September 2000