The first four of these photographs of the lumber schooner Alvin Clark were taken August third, 1969, during the annual blessing of the watercraft in Menominee, Michigan. The rest were taken the following year (I think) when the vessel was on display. I was nine at the time, and fascinated by boats. I spent my weekends building crude boat models from driftwood. This was a big event for me. I remember being able to watch the partially raised ship being towed past our house about 5 miles out.

Sadly, the ship was destroyed in 1994.

Dale Austin, 2007