(1945) 1951 Tom M. Girdler 1980
Steel Great Lakes bulk freighter
Built at Vancouver WA by Kaiser Company Inc., Hull 513
Launched Jan 1946
Built as Louis McH. Howe for U. S. Maritime Commission as Class C4-S-A4 class cargo vessel during World War II, registered at 497.21 x 71.7 x 29.9, 10688 GT, 7506 NT. 522’10” LOA, 496’7” LBP, 71’7” beam, 43’6” depth. Laid up after the war in the James River reserve fleet. Sold 1951 to owners below.
Towed to Baltimore MD, where she was converted to a Great Lakes bulk freighter by Maryland Dry Dock Co. New forebody built at Pascagoula AL by Ingalls Shipbuilding Co. and towed to Baltimore. Finished vessel towed into the Great Lakes via the Mississippi and Illinois Rivers.
Final conversion was completed at South Chicago IL by American Ship Building Co.
New dimensions: 604’ LOA, 585’ LBP, 71’6” beam, 35’ depth
1 deck, hatches @ 24’, oil-fired boilers, steam turbine engine, 9000 SHP
Enrolled at
585.7 x 71.7 x 29.9, 9115 GT, 4497 NT US 249104 to:
Nicholson-Universal Steamship Co., Detroit MI, Troy H. Browning, Mgr.
Entered Great Lakes service Nov 1951
Sold 1951 to Republic Steel Corporation, Detroit MI, Troy H. Browning, Mgr.
Management of fleet transferred 1972 to Wilson Marine Transit Co., Cleveland OH
Management of fleet transferred 1972 to Cleveland-Cliffs Iron Co., Cleveland OH
Sold for scrap 1980 to Indian shipbreakers. Cleared Quebec QC Sept 16, 1980 towed by tug Hanseat. Tow arrived Bombay India Dec 13, 1980
IMO 5364085
5103
MY TWIN BROTHER SAILED ON TOM GIRDLER OUT OF ESCANABA, MI. IN 1969-1970 SEASON ON THE LAKES .I JUST FOUND AN ARTIST WITH A PRINT OF THE “THREE SISTERS” THAT I WILL PURCHASE TO REMEMBER HIM BY AS HE PASSED ON TWO YEARS AGO. FOUND YOUR INFO ON THE SHIP WITH MY BEST FRIEND SCOTT LEWIS OF GROSSE POINT,MI. ,JUST DOUN THE ROAD FROM YOU . THANKS FOR THE INFORMATION .GOD BLESS
Hi, I’m the daughter of William Luke “Bill”
My Dad was a Captain, and he was also on the Tom M. Girdler in the 70’s
As kids (my 3 older brothers and myself) we all had been on the ship many times when our Dad would be in Port (Cleveland, Ohio). I still live in Cleveland, and our Port has the Mather (sister ship of the Girdler) tied up as a Museum.
We would board the ship in the usual way .. I was only 7-8 yrs old when I first climbed the ladder or sat on the bosun’s chair just like all the crew.
Many fun adventures as a child of a Captain.
Missy Luke Mintz
I sailed on the Girdler in 1971. She was fast and a beautiful vessel. Although we never carried passengers, it was set up with four staterooms, a glass staircase leading to a lounge and private galley. We were unloading in South Chicago at the lower Republic Steel dock on the Calumet River – a blistering hot day – and the hewletts were breaking down, extending our stay. Captain Auterson opened the air conditioned passenger quarters to the crew to escape the heat. I wonder what happened to the artwork that festooned the lounge (and all the brasswork from the many many ships that went to the breakers). I suppose the Patton and White, sister ships to the Girdler met the same fate.