SS William Clay Ford

SS William Clay Ford was a bulk freighter built for hauling material on the Great Lakes. She was named for William Clay Ford Sr., grandson of Henry Ford. Her keel was laid in 1952 at River Rouge, Michigan by the Great Lakes Engineering Works, and she was launched in 1953. The ship was a part of the Ford Motor Company fleet of ore carriers and made her home port at Ford's River Rouge Plant, south of Detroit, Michigan. The first captain of William Clay Ford was John Jameson Pearce of Dearborn, Michigan. William Clay Ford was one of two ships involved in the initial search for the SS Edmund Fitzgerald, along with the SS Arthur M. Anderson on 10 November 1975. The Anderson and Ford had made it to safety at Whitefish Bay, but went back into the storm at the request of the United States Coast Guard to look for survivors of the Fitzgerald. Because of the bravery and valor demonstrated that night by Captain Don Erickson and his crew, they were presented with many accolades including a plaque bestowed upon them by the Great Lakes Maritime Institute recognizing their role in the search for Edmund Fitzgerald.