1972 Roger Blough
Steel self-unloading Great Lakes bulk freighter
Built at Lorain OH by American Ship Building Co., Hull 90
Built in two sections. Bow section: Keel laid Sept 3, 1968; launched Dec 21, 1968. Stern section: keel laid Dec 29, 1969 in dry dock; bow section joined with stern section July 25, 1970 and vessel completed in dry dock. Fire June 24, 1971 in engine room destroyed her diesel engines and deck house. Four lives lost. Vessel floated June 3, 1972.
858’ LOA, 833’ LBP, 105’ beam, 41’6” depth
1 deck, arch cargo hold construction, hatches @ 24’, oil-fired diesel engines, 14000 BHP
Enrolled at
833.2 x 105.0 x 39.2, 22041 GT, 14114 NT US 533062 to:
United States Steel Corporation, Great Lakes Fleet, Cleveland OH (home port Wilmington DE)
Entered service June 15, 1972 clearing Lorain OH for Two Harbors MN
Would have been the largest vessel on the Great Lakes (built to what at the time was expected to be the maximum dimensions allowable through the Soo locks) but the delays in her entering servic ecaused by her fire allowed M.V. Stewart J. Cort, built to the larger dimensions permitted later, to enter service six weeks sooner.
Fleet made a subsidiary of United States Steel Corporation 1981, renamed USS Great Lakes Fleet Inc., Duluth MN (home port to Duluth MN)
Fleet sold 2003 to Canadian National Railway Co., Montreal QC and renamed Great Lakes Fleet. Operated by Keystone Shipping Co., Bala-Cynwyd PA to continue to be able to continue to trade between U.S. ports.
IMO 7222138
In service 2011 for Great Lakes Fleet
7203
I work at that ship doing all the Refrigeration and Air Conditioning while
working for Merchants Refrigeration Co. in Lorain Ohio. The day before
the fire I spend all day in the ship. I’m 79 years old and retaired at this time.
Thanks for all the good information about this ship.
I work on that ship ( The Roger Blough) doing all the refrigeration and air
conditioning while working for Merchants Refrigeration Co. in Lorain Ohio.
I’m 79 years old and reataired at this time. Thanks for all the good info. about
this ship. I spend all day in the ship the day before the fire.
The site for the William A. Irvin noted that it was flagship from 1938 until 1975.
I think the Benjamin Fairless was flagship in the early 70’s.
Was the Roger Blough the flagship of USS Great Lakes Fleet after the Fairless?
I worked on the Irvin in 1970.
Kent Shaver
I was on active duty from January 1970 to January 1973 in the Marine Technical Branch of the 9th CG District. when the Blough caught fire. I believe the two French – made diesel main engines survived the fire. The Blough was considered the longest “boat”,constructed entirely on the Great Lakes. Only the cargo portion of the Stewart Cort was built in Erie PA.
The “technical branch” of the 9th district no longer exists as all efforts of these branches are now performed at CG headquarters.