Dennis Hale

Author and Sole Survivor of the SS Daniel J. Morrell


Dennis Hale has been a survivor his entire life, from the moment of his birth to his reckless days as a teenager hitch-hiking across the country. Bu nothing could prepare him for his tragic ordeal on the steamship Daniel J. Morrell. Ripped in two by gale-force winds, the entire crew was tossed into frigid waters. Dennis and three others made it to a life-raft... only to face 30 foot waves and freezing overnight temperatures. The sole survivor persevered two November nights--clad only in a lifejacket, peacoat and his underwear. This is his story.

Shipwrecked


On November 29th 1966, the Great Lakes ore freighter Daniel J. Morrell was northbound in Lake Huron, fighting gale-force winds and tremendous waves. Suddenly, with no warning, the Morrell began to break in half. Ripped in two by gale-force winds, the entire crew was tossed into the frigid waters. Dennis and three others made it to a liferaft — only to face 30 foot waves and freezing overnight temperatures. The sole survivor persevered two November nights clad only in a lifejacket, peacoat and his underwear. This is his story.