1943                                    Watson Ferris                                  1943 (19

Steel St. Lawrence River canal size ocean cargo vessel

Built at Superior WI by Walter Butler Shipbuilders, Hull 15
Launched May 9, 1943
(Christened by one of the Dionne quintuplets of Callender ON.  Vessel christenings and the use of famous people as vessel sponsors were used extensively during World War II to publicize the war effort and to sell Savings Bonds.  The five vessels of this class which were used temporarily for a short time in the Great Lakes grain trade were all launched the same day, each sponsored by one of the quintuplets.)

260’ LOA, 240’ LBP, 41’ beam, 18’ depth
Coal-fired boilers, triple expansion engine, 1300 IHP

Built for the U. S. Maritime Commission under its World War II shipbuilding program.   USMC Hull 413.  N3-S-A1 cargo ship.  Lend-leased to British Ministry of War Transport.

Participated temporarily in the Great Lakes grain trade before leaving the Great Lakes.

Enrolled at
250.6 x 41.3 x 18.4, 1791 GT, 1041 NT     Br 169713    

Entered Great Lakes service July 28, 1943

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