1924 Greater Buffalo 1943 (1948)
Steel sidewheel passenger and package freight vessel
Built at Lorain OH by American Ship Building Co., Hull 786
Launched Oct 27, 1923
535’ LOA, 519’ LBP, 58’ beam, 23’7” depth
2 decks, coal-fired boilers, inclined compound engine, 12000 IHP
Enrolled at Detroit MI
518.7 x 58.0 x 21.3, 7739 GT, 3330 NT US 223663 to:
Detroit & Cleveland Navigation Co., Detroit MI (home port Detroit MI)
Entered service 1924
Normal route was overnight passenger and package freight service between Detroit MI and Buffalo NY
Requisitioned 1942 by U. S. Navy during World War II. Converted to aircraft carrier at Buffalo NYby American Ship Building Co., renamed U.S.S. Sable (IX-81) and used during the rest of the war on Lake Michigan training pilots to take off from and land on aircraft carriers
Decommissioned at end of war. Sold to Steel Company of Canada and scrapped 1948 at Hamilton ON
See history in Great Lakes Ships We Remember II p. 131
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