1953 J. L. Mauthe
Steel Great Lakes bulk freighter
Built at River Rouge MI by Great Lakes Engineering Works, Hull 298
Keel laid Feb 15, 1951; launched June 21, 1952
647’ LOA, 629’3” LBP, 70’ beam, 36’ depth
1 deck, arch cargo hold construction, hatches @ 24’, oil-fired boilers, steam turbine engine, 7000 SHP
Enrolled at
629.4 x 70.2 x 31.3, 11472 GT, 8421 NT US 264738 to:
Interlake Steamship Co., Cleveland OH, Pickands Mather & Co., Mgr. (home port Wilmington DE)
Entered service April 2, 1953 clearing Detroit MI light for Duluth MN
Laid up July 5, 1993 at Superior WI
Converted 1998 to self-unloading barge at Sturgeon Bay WI by Bay Shipbuilding Corporation and renamed Pathfinder (3).
IMO 5166768
In service 2011 for Interlake Steamship Co.
5309
When I worked for Interlake, I had the great pleasure of sailing on the J L Mauthe. Although at that time, I dont think I felt that way . The straight deckers were my favorite.
I am the grandson of JL Mauthe. I am interested in finding out who the captain was when my family had a great experience on board one time in the early 1970’s.
Peter Mauthe
I sailed on the Mauthe in ’66 and ’68. I believe the the Captain after my time was Mr.Van Goulette of Port Huron.
My grandfather was Ken Sharron. He was First Mate on the JL Mauthe from the mid-1970s until he retired in the mid-1980s. He also built a replica of the JL Mauthe, which is now on display at the Ashland Historical Museum.
Sailed on the Mauthe, 1972-73. Only 22, and a member of the deck crew, we referred to ourselves as the ‘Dirtballs’. Don’t remember our Captains full name (William……..), but ‘Wild Bill’ hated dropping the hook and getting ‘union contract’ violations! Remember steaming past a line of ships safe at anchor near Pt Louise above Sault Ste Marie, while we churned out on to an ugly, menacing Superior. November 72, the Capt broke ‘tradition’ on Superior. Downbound, crossing Superior, we were getting the hell kicked out us. Finally gave up the battle, dropped anchor and made safe harbor in the lee of Caribou Isl. I’ll never regret sailing the Lakes. $3.15 per hour, a reasonably warm bed, and all the food one could eat. She wasn’t pretty, but the ‘guest’s quarters’ were quite nice. I remember a beautiful painting of the Mauthe on the wall. I also was responsible for keeping the annual flower planter box, hung on the railing, in good shape. A good ship, the Mauthe kept us safe and sound!