1925 Joseph H. Frantz 2005
Steel Great Lakes bulk freighter
Built at River Rouge MI by Great Lakes Engineering Works, Hull 248
Keel laid June 2, 1924; launched Oct 18, 1924
618’ LOA, 592’ LBP, 62’ beam, 32’ depth
1 deck, arch cargo hold construction, hatches @ 24’, coal-fired boilers, triple expansion engine, 2500 IHP
Enrolled at
601.6 x 62.0 x 27.8, 8289 GT, 6436 NT US 224409 to:
Columbia Steamship Co., Cleveland OH (home port Fairport OH)
Entered service April 1925
Fleet reincorporated Nov 1931 in Delaware as Columbia Transportation Co. (home port to Wilmington DE)
Repowered 1955 with Skinner Unaflow engine at Ashtabula OH by Great Lakes Engineering Works
Fleet merged Oct 1957 into parent Oglebay Norton Co.
Converted 1965 to self unloader and repowered with diesel engine and middle deck of forward cabin (which had held passenger accommodations during the years she served as fleet flagship) removed at Sturgeon Bay WI by Christy Corporation
Remeasured to 31.7 depth and 9589 GT, 7639 NT
Did not operate 2002 season
Chartered 2003 for five years to Great Lakes Associates Inc., Cleveland OH, an affiliate of Kinsman Lines
Laid up at Buffalo NY at the end of the 2004 season and charter cancelled early 2005
Sold for scrap 2005 to International Marine Salvage, Port Colborne ON, towed to Port Colborne and scrapped there.
IMO 5175707
2505
my grandfather’s half brother was capt on the Frantz in the forties his name was Capt Frank Blocklock I was hoping you had some history on him thank you
After doing a little research, I first find Frank Blacklock appointed as captain of the str John Owen for 1916. He then went to the David Z. Norton 1917-24 (I don’t have appointments for 1922), C. Russell Hubbard 1925, William Livingstone 1926-30. Don’t have appointments for 1931-35 (probably lots of vessels not operating during the depression) but he was on the same vessel in 1936 after her rename as S. B. Way. He captained the Howard M. Hanna 1937-43 and the Frantz 1944-47. Don’t find after 1947 — prob retired after all that service.
You could post a question for other facts on boatnerd.com’s Information Search. A lot of people use this service and with all of this history there is a remote chance somebody out there might know something.
My great grandfather, Otto A Gentz, was the first captain of the Joseph Frantz and brought her out of the Detroit yards of the Great Lakes Engineering Works in 1925. He Was the Captain of the Frantz until 1939. I have several articles from Great Lakes Review, Marine News and the Columbia Shipmate as well as photos of the ship, including ones of cars being transported on her deck. Please let me know if this information would be helpful to your research.