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Transcribed and submitted by Linda Talbott
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The Ludington Daily News
Wednesday, November 13, 1940
page 1

             RESCUE 17 MEN FROM FREIGHTER;
               TOLL IS THREE SHIPS AND 68 MEN
               
             DETAILS OF STORM DAMAGE CLEARED 
             
            Believe Steamers William B. Davock
              And Anna C. Minch Are Lying in
                 Bottom of Lake Michigan
                 
         With probable death toll of 68 persons, the tragic story of one
      of Lake Michigan's worst storms was unfolded clearly here this
      morning as reports sifted through Tuesday's tangled communications.
         They revealed:
         1. Sinking in the open seas off Ludington Monday night, with
      probable loss of all members of both crews, of two large freighters,
      WILLIAM B. DAVOCK of Cleveland, O., and the Canadian freighter,
      ANNA C. MINCH, of Sarnia, Ont. The former carried a crew of 33,
      and the latter a crew of 25.
         2. Grounding of 253-foot pulp carrier NOVADOC near Little Point
      Sable, south of Pentwater, Monday night. Of crew of 19, 17 were 
      taken off safely this morning, two others, a cook and cook's helper,
      being lost overboard in the storm.
         3. Grounding of Pere Marquette CITY OF FLINT 32 at Ludington.
      Passengers were taken off early this afternoon. Crew was aboard
      excepting for two taken off by breeches' buoy Tuesday. Refloating
      efforts were to begin this afternoon.
         4. Two fishing tugs foundered near South Haven in Monday's storm,
      with a total loss of life of eight men.
         5. In addition, numerous ships had limped into port, were still
      aground or otherwise disabled in the storm at other Great Lakes
      ports.
         Locally, bodies of 12 sailors had been recovered at noon today.
      Eleven were from the Steamer DAVOCK, owned by Pickands, Mather & Co.
      of Cleveland. The 7,200-ton vessel was 450 feet long. It had left
      Erie, Pa., last week with a cargo of coal for South Chicago, Ind.
         Contrary to Tuesday's reports, the DAVOCK did not go aground at
      Little Point Sable. Although, as far is as known, no one survived
      to tell the exact story, it is believed the DAVOCK late Monday or
      early Tuesday foundered in open water, at a point possibly 15 or 20
      miles southwest of Ludington.
         "Judging from where and at what time the 11 bodies were recovered,
      I would say the DAVOCK must have gone down possibly 15 or 20 miles
      due southwest of Ludington," commented Captain A. E. Christoffersen,
      officer in charge of Ludington coast guard station, "But of course
      it is anybody's guess, for no one knows for sure."
         Another body recovered at Ludington, found at Buttersville about
      noon Tuesday, is believed to be a member of the Canadian freighter,
      ANNA C. MINCH. The youth, about 18, wore a Canadian type life-
      preserver. The MINCH was owned by Sarnia Steamships, Ltd., Sarnia,
      Ont.
         Four other bodies, recovered at Pentwater late Tuesday, were also
      believed to be sailors from the MINCH. They like-wise wore Canadian-
      type life preservers.
         Beach between Ludington and Little Point Sable was reported
      strewn with wreckage. A life boat bearing the name of the MINCH
      was found on the beach about six miles south of Ludington. Of
      wooden construction, its bottom was caved in. Other articles
      was also found, including life preservers, a compass and a ship's
      crew list in a metal tube from the DAVOCK. The list, it proved
      on ivestigation, was apparently an old one, not tallying with
      the list of crew members furnished by the ship's home office
      at Cleveland.
         A ring buoy bearing the name "STR. CHARLES M. SCHWAB" was
      found north of Ludington Tuesday having apparently been washed
      overboard. The SCHWAB, it was learned today, docked at South
      Chicago early Tuesday. Operated by the same firm which owned
      the DAVOCK, the SCHWAB passed into Lake Michigan through the
      Straits six hours behind the DAVOCK.
         Probable death toll early this afternoon was: DAVOCK, 33;
      MINCH, 25; NOVADOC, 2; fishing tugs, 8. - Total, 68.
      
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