1952 Johnstown 2 1985
Steel Great Lakes bulk freighter
Built at Sparrows Point MD by Bethlehem Steel Corporation, Hull 4504
Launched Jan 24, 1952
Towed to the Great Lakes via the Mississippi and Illinois Rivers and prepared for service at South Chicago IL by American Ship Building Co.
626’ LOA, 611’ LBP, 70’ beam, 37’ depth
1 deck, arch cargo hold construction, hatches @ 24’, coal-fired boilers, steam turbine engine, 7700 SHP
Enrolled at Wilmington DE
611.0 x 70.2 x 33.7, 9164 GT, 5608 NT US 263877 to:
Bethlehem Transportation Corporation, Cleveland OH (home port Wilmington DE)
Towed to Cleveland OH late June 1952 and laid up to await end of steel strike. Entered service July 27, 1952 clearing Cleveland for Superior WI
Lengthened 1958 at South Chicago IL by American Ship Building Co.
Remeasured to 683.0 length and 10317 Gt, 5947 NT
Laid up 1982 at Erie PA and did not operate again
Sold for scrap 1985 to Marine Salvage Ltd., Port Colborne ON. Resold to Spanish shipbreakers. Cleared Quebec QC May 28, 1985 with str. Pontiac towed by Polish tug Koral. Tow arrived San Esetban de Pravia Spain June 24, 1985
IMO 5174686
See history in Great Lakes Ships We Remember III p. 198
5205
Is there any way to get the list of who captained the vessel ? I was told when I was a kid living in Erie, PA that my grandfathers brother captained it, but I cannot recall his name.
I have 9 captains during her career:
1953-59 E P Fitch
60 G J Brunelle
Don’t have 61 & 62 appointments
63-65 E P Fitch
66-69 A M Neundorfer
70-72 T J Connelly
73 W J Beale
74-77 R A Brabander
78 D O Anderson
79 W P Chambers
80-82 E P Fitch again
Hope this helps.
I’D LIKE A PICTURE OF THE SS JOHNSTOWN, IS THAT POSSIBLE?
I have several life preservers and a fire axe from this boat. Is there any worth to these things or are they garbage?
I suggest you email Roger LeLievre at knowyourships@gmail.com. I’m sure he will have the answer to your question.
I was on that ship 1973. September
I was on that ship 1973. September can you send me pictures
I was a deckhand, summer of 68. Beautiful ship.