Jacob L Reiss

Originally built in 1906 as the W.K. Bixby until it was renamed the J. L. Reiss in 1920.

After the Company was sold it was renamed the Sidney E. Smith in 1972.

1972 Ship Collides & Sinks

 In June of 1972, heading up bound, the SIDNEY E. SMITH, JR. lost control turning sideways in the strong currents near the head of the St. Clair River. She was struck by the southbound freighter PARKER EVANS. A hole in the bow caused her to sink quickly with no loss of life.. At the time of her loss she was carrying no cargo. All of the wreckage was been removed except for the boom. Built in 1906, hull  #161, by Detroit Shipbuilding, Wyandotte as a 480 ft. steel bulk freighter, she was later converted to a self-unloader in 1933 at Manitowoc, WI. First named as the W.K.BIXBY, she was renamed the J.L.REISS in 1920 and received her last name in 1972 (the year she was lost). The salvaged hull is now used as a shore barrier in Sarnia, Ont. The self-unloader boom is currently in 50 ft. of water approx. 100 ft. off the U.S. shoreline 100 yds. South of the Blue Water Bridge.