1923 Steelvendor 1942
Steel St. Lawrence River canal size bulk freighter
Built at Kearny NJ by Federal Shipbuilding Co., Hull 77
Launched
258’3” LOA, 250’ LBP, 42’9” beam, 20’ depth
1 deck, arch cargo hold construction, oil-fired diesel engine, 750 BHP
Enrolled at
250.3 x 42.9 x 17.2, 1695 GT, 973 NT US 223082 to:
United States Steel Products Co., Cleveland OH (home port New York NY)
Entered service 1923
Foundered Sept 3, 1942 15 miles east of Manitou Island, Lake Michigan. Enroute from Duluth MN to Waukegan WI with cargo of steel billets. Cargo shifted in storm. One life lost.
See history in Scanner Nov 1981 (#105)
2313
My grandpa, Capt. Alfred C.Drouillard, was master of the Charles M. Schwab, which was the boat that saved the 22 men from the Steel Vendor. The nighttime rescue was difficult in the high seas but he maneuvered his boat as close to the Steel Vendor as he could. Capt. Drouillard called to the crew assembled on the aftercabin to jump and they would pick them up. The men were only in the 37 degree water for seven minutes before they were all picked up. One crew member was lost because he jumped overboard before the Schwab arrived in the scene.
Two of my uncles were crew members on the Schwab that day. I have an article published in the Racine Journal about the rescue from their perspective. Very interesting and sounded like an amazing effort to save those 22 men.
Was it on Lake Michigan or Lake Superior?
My husband’s father and uncle were on the Steelvendor when it sank. They were very lucky that the Schwab came to assist them!
Was it on Lake Michigan or Lake Superior?
I was Captain of the S.S. Pierson Daughters, once called the Swab. I knew a watchman called Bob Benson who was on the S.S. Thomas Wilson in 1960. In the 1980s I met Bob Benson again aboard the S.S. Thomas Wilson. When I took command, I found out that the Swab picked up Bob and then in 1980 I sailed S.S. Pierson Daughter’s that was formerly called the Swab. Bob never spoke of the Steel Vender. He was a good seaman. I would like to get to know his relation and tell them about Bob.