Deadly Voyage

The S.S. Daniel J. Morrell Tragedy

By: Andrew Kantar

Narrated by: Todd Curless

This is the harrowing story of one of the worst shipwrecks in Great Lakes history. In the early morning hours of November 29, 1966, the SS Daniel J. Morrell was caught in a deadly storm on Lake Huron. Waves higher than the ship crested over it, and winds exceeding 60 miles per hour whipped at its hull, splitting the 603-foot freighter into two giant pieces. Amazingly, after the bow went down, the stern blindly powered itself through the stormy seas for another five miles! Twenty-eight men drowned in the icy waters of Lake Huron, but one sailor - 26-year-old Dennis Hale - miraculously survived the treacherous storm. Wearing only boxer shorts, a lifejacket, and a pea coat, Hale clung to a life raft in near-freezing temperatures for 38 hours until he was rescued late in the afternoon of the following day. Three of his fellow crewmates died in his raft.

In Deadly Voyage, Andrew Kantar recounts this tale of tragedy and triumph on Lake Huron. Informed by meticulous research and the eyewitness details provided by Hale, Kantar depicts one of the most tragic shipwrecks in Great Lakes history.

The book is published by Michigan State University Press.

©2009 Andrew Kantar (P)2015 Redwood Audiobooks

Critic reviews

"In Deadly Voyage, Andrew Kantar takes his reader through a tale that is, in turns, harrowing, tragic, frustrating, uplifting, suspenseful, and, ultimately, historically important. This book is a vital addition to any collection of Great Lakes maritime books. (Michael Schumacher, author of Mighty Fitz and Wreck of the Carl D.)

"While reading Mr. Kantar's book, I reflected on my life. I thought of all the hardships that I faced in my childhood and adult life. Although my life was rough, I think it taught me a lesson that helped me survive the sinking. One thing I learned was to never ever, for one moment, give up. (Dennis Hale, sole survivor of the sinking of the S.S. Daniel J. Morrell)

What a way to make a Living!

Amazing courage and history. We take a lot for granted. The supply chain so so complicated.

A Riveting Story

Excellent research to create a brief story you just couldn't stop until you reached its end.
Shipping on the Great Lakes places its crews at risk to deliver the cargoes that the U.S. and Canadian economies need to function.
This is one of countless stories of the risk and sacrifice.

Narration

This is the same automated voice used on the story of the Carl D Bradley shipwreck. Terrible narration to an otherwise good story.