1943 Sewell Avery 1986
Steel Great Lakes bulk freighter
Built at Lorain OH by American Ship Building Co., Hull 827
Keel laid May 29, 1942, launched Nov 28, 1942
Built for U. S. Maritime Commission, Class L6-S-A1 under its World War II vessel construction program. Launched as Lancashire. Renamed Sewell Avery and delivered at commissioning to Pittsburgh Steamship Co., taking in trade (for this vessel and strs. George A. Sloan and Robert C. Stanley) seven older vessels of the fleet for part of the purchase price
620’ LOA, 605’ LBP, 60’ beam, 35’ depth
1 deck, arch cargo hold construction, 18 hatches @ 24’, coal-fired boilers, compound engine, 2500 IHP
Enrolled at Cleveland OH May 25, 1943 (Temp #24)
604.8 x 60.2 x 30.2, 8758 GT, 6472 NT US 243488 to:
Pittsburgh Steamship Co., Cleveland OH (home port Duluth)
Entered service May 26, 1943 clearing Lorain OH light for Duluth MN
Permanent enrollment at Duluth MN May 29, 1943
Fleet reincorporated 1949 in Delaware (home port to Wilmington DE)
Fleet merged July 1951 into parent United States Steel Corporation (home port to New York NY)
Fleet renamed United States Steel Great Lakes Fleet 1967 (home port to Wilmington DE)
Boilers converted to oil firing 1973 at Milwaukee WI by Advance Boiler & Tank Co.
Fleet made a subsidiary of United States Steel Corporation 1981, renamed USS Great Lakes Fleet Inc., Duluth MN (home port to Duluth MN)
Laid up Sept 30, 1981 at Superior WI and did not operate again
Sold 1986 to A. B. McLean Ltd., for use as a dock at Sault Ste. Marie ON. Towed to Sault Ste. Marie May 1987 and sunk.
IMO 5321461
4303
grandfather lawrence(honey)faber. served as a fireman onabove ship in the50s. any info please?
I am looking for articles on my ex father in law who was hurt in an explosion on the Avery. Can you help? Last name was Koker
Unfortunately, Mr. Berry passed away earlier in 2020. CHeck the Boatnerd Information Search Discussion Boards to possibly post a question. There may be something on greatlakesships.wordpress.com at some point in the near future when the page for the Avery is posted on the Bulk Carriers page.
If his first name was Pete, I served with him for one season. He was the bowsan (sp) mate at the time. It was for only one season I think either 1969 or 1970. I remember him as a big man who took no guff from anyone. I live in Sault Sainte Marie, Michigan and live one block off of the upper river. I can see the Avery every day sunk across the river at Algoma Steel.
Which dock at the Soo
I believe it’s called the International Salvage dock on the Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario side. If you go to Google Maps look on the north side of the St. Mary’s River west of the locks. Basically straight south from the steel mill. You’ll see the outline of the ship hull that was sunk to make the dock face.
A.B. McLean dock
My grandfather was a crewman on the Avery do you have a crew list? His name was Peter Walter Balcer. Thank you
My grandfather was the captain on this vessel. Heard many stories.
My grandfather also captained this ship.
Leo Capling was his name. He was 1st mate for several years and later offered the captain position. He worked on the Sewell Avery from a teenager all the way to retirement.
Trying to find info on the Sewell Avery a classmates grandfather sailed on it looking for or any information on the ship please contact me with any info. kevinfarraes@gmail.com.
My grandfather also captained this ship.
Leo Capling was his name. He was 1st mate for several years and later offered the captain position. He worked on the Sewell Avery from a teenager all the way to retirement.