AH-WR-2050

Eastcliffe Hall

Bulk Carrier · Lost 1970 · Lake Ontario & the St. Lawrence

The laker Eastcliffe Hall sank in three minutes near Morrisburg in the St. Lawrence Seaway on July 14, 1970; nine of 21 aboard died.

Become Captain of Record

Artistic recreation based on recorded historical documents. See the documented evidence.

Interpretive Reconstruction, drawn to convey the vessel's era, type and general form. See the documented evidence.

The Vessel and Her Loss

Built at Montreal by Canadian Vickers and later lengthened to 342 feet, the Hall Corporation laker Eastcliffe Hall left Sorel for Saginaw with 5,661 tons of pig iron and 21 crew and family aboard. Early on July 14, 1970, she grounded on Gooseneck Island shoal, was freed, then struck again near Crysler Shoal and sank in three minutes off Morrisburg, Ontario. Nine died, including the captain and his son. The inquiry found the captain had been heavily intoxicated.

Vessel

Built: Not established
Builder: Canadian Vickers
Yard: Montreal, Quebec
Material: Steel
Length: 342.5 ft
Beam: Not established
Tonnage: Not established
Propulsion: Diesel
Owners: Not established

Loss

Date: July 14, 1970
Cause: Grounding
Location: Near Crysler Shoal, St. Lawrence Seaway
Water: St. Lawrence River
Voyage: Sorel, Quebec → Saginaw, Michigan
Cargo: 5,661 long tons of pig iron
Aboard: Not established
Lives lost: 9
Master: Richard Groulx

The Wreck Today

Depth: 70 ft
Condition: Not established
Orientation: Not established
Discovered: Not established
Protection: Not established

Position

Coordinates: Not established
Accuracy: Position not established
Nearest: Morrisburg, Ontario
Region: Lake Ontario & the St. Lawrence

No pin: no surveyed wreck position in the sources used.

Evidence

Overall confidence: Partially documented (55/100)

Based on a published secondary account; original records were not independently inspected.

Wikipedia — Eastcliffe Hall
Article narrative of construction, voyage and loss (secondary summary of cited books and newspapers).
Great Lakes Vessel History — Eastcliffe Hall
Confirms July 14, 1970 sinking near Crysler Shoal, pig iron cargo, nine lives lost.
Great Lakes Vessel History — Eastcliffe Hall
Builder, dimensions, sinking 14 July 1970 with pig iron; nine lives lost.
Cornwall Canal and Shipping History — Eastcliffe Hall
Confirms nine of 21 aboard died; sank within minutes between Cornwall and Crysler.