1977                                 Belle River                                     

Steel twin-screw self-unloading Great Lakes bulk freighter

Built at Sturgeon Bay WI by Bay Shipbuilding Co., Hull 716
Built in two sections.  Bow section:  keel laid March 11, 1976;  launched Sept 30, 1976.  Stern section built in drydock:  keel laid Aug 5, 1976;  floated Feb 26, 1977.  Sections joined July 12, 1977.

1000’ LOA, 990’1” LBP, 105’ beam, 56’ depth
1 deck, arch cargo hold construction, hatches @ 24’, oil-fired diesel engines, 14400 BHP

Enrolled at
988.8 x 105.0 x 56.7, 35923 GT, 33534 NT     US 585852     to:
Armstrong Steamship Co., Buffalo NY, a subsidiary of American Steamship Co., American Steamship Co., Mgr. (home port Wilmington DE)

Entered service late August 1977 (maiden voyage delayed when this first vessel of this size built at this shipyard  scraped bottom in her fitout slip, requiring a return to the dry dock) clearing Sturgeon Bay WI light for Escanaba MI

Renamed Walter J. McCarthy Jr. 1990

IMO 7514684

In service 2011 for American Steamship Co.

7704