1943 Robert C. Stanley 1987
Steel Great Lakes bulk freighter
Built at River Rouge MI by Great Lakes Engineering Works, Hull 294
Keel laid Nov 4, 1942, launched June 19, 1943
Built for U. S. Maritime Commission, Class L6-S-B1 under its World War II vessel construction program. Delivered at commissioning to Pittsburgh Steamship Co., taking in trade two (for this vessel and strs. Sewell Avery and George A. Sloan) seven older vessels of the fleet for part of the purchase price
620’6” LOA, 604’ LBP, 60’ beam, 35’ depth
1 deck, arch cargo hold construction, 18 hatches @ 24’, coal-fired boilers, triple expansion engine, 2500 IHP
Enrolled at
603.8 x 60.2 x 30.2, 9057 GT, 6793 NT US 243843 to:
Pittsburgh Steamship Co., Cleveland OH (home port Duluth MN)
Entered service Sept 30, 1943 clearing Detroit MI light for Two Harbors MN
Crossing Lake Superior Nov 10, 1943 in heavy weather a crack opened across her deck and down her sides. Cables were run the length of her deck between her forward and after mooring winches to prevent further cracking. Strengthening straps were installed along her sides during fitout for the next season.
Fleet reincorporated 1949 in Delaware (home port to Wilmington DE)
Fleet merged July 1951 into parent United States Steel Corporation (home port to New York NY)
Fleet renamed United States Steel Great Lakes Fleet 1967 (home port to Wilmington DE)
Boilers converted to oil firing 1974 at Cleveland OH by G & W Welding
Fleet made a subsidiary of United States Steel Corporation 1981, renamed USS Great Lakes Fleet Inc., Duluth MN (home port to Duluth MN)
Laid up Nov 25, 1981 at Duluth MN and did not operate again
Sold for scrap 1987 to F. F. Drontle, Cold Spring MN. Towed to Sorel QC and laid up. Resold to Turkish shipbreakers. Cleared Sorel May 16, 1989 with str. Ralph H. Watson towed by tug Fairplay IX. Tow arrived Aliaga Turkey June 19, 1989
IMO 5297476
4312
One of my grandfather’s best friends was an executive with Great Lakes Engineering and he arranged for my dad and his boss, both working for a Michigan insurance company, to go on the initial sea trials of the Robert C. Stanley. They were aboard as ‘Government Boiler Inspectors’. The Stanley was a nice boat, but my favorite was the Leon Fraser, one of six identical larger boats built for Pittsburgh. The Fraser is running today as the Alpena, shortened, and carrying cement, and still a really good-looking boat.
Hoping to learn of the dates my father sailed on the Rbt. C Stanley.
Wayne A. Hawes, DOB Dec. 1, 1922. Any information would be greatly appreciated.
With regards,
Micah Hawes Keto
miscoot15@icloud.com
P.O. Box 207
Mehama, Oregon 97384
My Husband, Earl Joseph Holley sailed on the Robert C. Stanley in the early 50’s, quit about 1953. Is there any information? He is deceased and I would appreciate any available information. Thank you.
My dad Jack Donald skoog sailed this ship from late 50’s to late 60’s he was I believe in charge on the deck
My dad was Captain on her in 1969….