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With the MAITLAND's old stack in position, and the wrecking barge INDUSTRY along- side, final preparations are made to raise steam in the HUMPHREY's port boiler. kRKKK With 13,992 gross tons of iron ore in her cargo compartments the HUMPHREY on June 15, 1943 sank 1-7/8 miles off Old Point Mackinac Light, following a collision with the D. M. CLEMSON. The U.S. Engineers Department having pronounced the wreck a menace to navigation, a contract was made with John Roen, wreckmaster and ship owner of Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin for removal of obstructive portions of the ship. From the outset of wrecking operations his objective, however, included not only the salvaging of a large portion of the iron ore but salvage of the 8,004 gross ton ship itself, full ownership to be the prize. It is recalled that previously the most notable recovery of a large vessel from a considerable depth of water occurred in 1917 after the steamers PENTECOST MITCHELL and SAXONA now (later) the LAKETON, had collided in the St. Marys River and, locked together, sank in 45 feet of water. Both vessels were 436 feet in overall length and measured approximately 4,700 gross registered tons. In spite of the great depth of water through which the ore had to be lifted, 8,000 gross tons of saleable ore were raised by clam bucket from the HUMPHREY's cargo hold before the 1943 winter set in. Operations were resumed on May 6, 1944, but it was midsummer before the extensive salvaging work on the hull got underway. Worl was frequently interrupted by strong currents running in the Straits and by foul weather. Using the large cargo carrying barges MAITLAND and HILDA, which served as pontoons, the HUMPHREY in a series of lifts was towed while under water of varying depths into shallow water until she rested clear of all vessel lanes. In these operations the big freighter was moved along under the barge MAITLAND until it touched bottom when the barge was partially submerged and the cables connecting the two ships were shortened. When finally the HUMPHREY's deck was lifted practically against the MAITLAND's bottom, the barge HILDA also acted as a pontoon, the two taking over the lifting and towing on each side of the HUMPHREY. On September 5 (Continued on Page 4) S312