(1920) 1922 Onondaga 1924 (1942)
Steel St. Lawrence River canal size bulk freighter
Built at Wyandotte MI by Detroit Shipbuilding Co., Hull 283
Launched April 9, 1920
Built for the account of American Ship Building Co., parent company of Detroit Shipbuilding Co., from surplus materials left over after the World War I shipbuilding program ended and to provide continuing employment for the employees of the shipyard, for expected sale to off-Lakes operators. Independent Steamship Co. established to operate the vessels until they could be sold.
261’ LOA, 251’ LBP, 43’6” beam, 24’2 ½” depth
1 deck, arch cargo hold construction, hatches @ 30’, coal-fired boilers, triple expansion engine, 1200 IHP
Enrolled at Detroit MI
251.0 x 43.6 x 22.2, 2309 GT, 1440 NT US 220782 to:
Independent Steamship Co., Detroit MI (home port Wyandotte MI)
Entered service 1922
Sold May 15, 1924 to Ford Motor Co., Detroit MI
In service summer and fall 1924 carrying coal upbound and lumber downbound
Transferred Nov 1942 to off-Lakes service and left the Great Lakes
Sunk July 23, 1942 by German submarine off Cuba, Atlantic Ocean. Fifteen lives lost.
2208
I have come across a news item in a maritime publication published in 1925 where it is mentioned that the Ford Motor Co. steamer ONEDIA or near sister vessel ONONDAGA
left USA loaded with 5000 (!) motor cars destined for European ports Bordeaux, Antwerp and Copenhagen. This sounds like a slightly exaggerated statement. Even 500 units is quite a tall figure for the size of the vessel. Even if the cars are shipped in a knocked-down mode. I would appreciate if there are any information available to support that a shipment like this ever took place in 1925.
Your reply will be much appreciated.
Best regards
Capt. (retired) Erik HAMMARSTROM
Ex. master on car carriers.
I am glad that you sent me the question because I am learning so much in finding the answer.
I suggest you log on to boatnerd.com, then check on the Information Search section, then find my February 1 question there (Autos to Europe) and the answers so far. My responders already have questions which you can easily answer by following their reply rules. A huge bunch of people interested in Great Lakes steamboat history (the boatnerds!) follow this site closely and gladly respond to further questions.