1943                                  Frank Armstrong                                  1987

Steel Great Lakes bulk freighter

Built at Ashtabula OH by Great Lakes Engineering Works, Hull 522
Keel laid Feb 2, 1942;  launched Oct 17, 1942
Built for U. S. Maritime Commission, Class L6-S-B1 under its World War II vessel
construction program.  Launched as Pilot Knob (first of two vessels of this class with this temporary name).  Renamed Frank Armstrong and delivered at commissioning to Interlake Steamship Co., taking in trade (for this vessel and strs. Frank Purnell and E. G. Grace) seven older vessels of the fleet for part of the purchase price

620’6” LOA, 604’ LBP, 60’ beam, 35’ depth
1 deck, arch cargo hold construction, 18 hatches @ 24’, coal-fired boilers, triple expansion engine, 2500 IHP

Enrolled at
603.8 x 60.2 x 30.2, 9057 GT, 6793 NT     US 243587     to:
Interlake Steamship Co., Cleveland OH, Pickands Mather & Co., Mgr. (home port Wilmington DE)

Entered service June 4, 1943 clearing Ashtabula OH light for Superior WI

Repowered 1960 with the Skinner Unaflow engine from a former U. S. Navy vessel

Boilers converted to oil firing 1973 at Ashtabula OH

Renamed Samuel Mather  (5) 1976

Blew out her engine June 18, 1981 in Lake Superior downbound with iron ore from Superior WI.  Towed to Superior, where repairs were made by Fraser Shipyards

Laid up Nov 23, 1981 at De Tour MI and did not operate again

Sold for scrap 1987 to Marine Salvage Ltd., Port Colborne ON.  Resold to Turkish shipbreakers.  Cleared Lauzon QC Dec 3, 1987 with str. A. H. Ferbert towed by Canadian tug Capt. Ioannis S.  Tow wintered at Sydney NS and arrived at Aliaga Turkey June 20, 1988

IMO 5119844

4304