(1942) 1961 Walter A. Sterling
Steel Great Lakes bulk freighter
Built at Sparrows Point MD by Bethlehem Shipbuilding & Dry Dock Co., Hull 4378
Launched June 25, 1942
Launched as Class T3-S-A1 tanker Samoset for Socony-Mobil Oil Co. Renamed Mobiloil before commissioning. Registered at 483.3 x 68.3 x 36.9, 10278 GT, 6270 NT. 501’8” LOA, 487’6” LBP, 68’ beam, 37’ depth. Requisitioned late 1942 by U. S. Navy and renamed Chiwawa (AO-68). Sold 1960 to owners below. Converted to Great Lakes bulk freighter at Toledo and Lorain OH by American Ship Building Co. with the addition of a new midbody built in Hamburg Germany by Schlieker-Werft and towed to Lorain. Renamed Walter A. Sterling 1961.
730’ LOA, 715’4” LBP, 75’ beam, 39’ depth
1 deck, arch cargo hold construction, hatches @ 24’, oil-fired boilers, steam turbine engine, 7700 SHP
Enrolled at
716.5 x 76.6 x 34.4, 13122 GT, 9879 NT US 251505 to:
Cleveland-Cliffs Steamship Co., Cleveland OH (home port Wilmington DE)
Entered service July 15, 1961
Lengthened 1976 at Superior WI by Fraser Shipyards
Remeasured to 812.5 x 75.2 x 34.4, 14904 GT, 11661 NT
Converted to self-unloader 1978 at Lorain OH by American Ship Building Co.
Remeasured to 14671 GT, 11428 NT
Sold 1985 to Rouge Steel Co., River Rouge MI, an affiliate of Ford Motor Co. and renamed William Clay Ford (2)
Fleet sold 1989 to Lakes Shipping Co., Cleveland OH, Interlake Steamship Co., Mgr. and vessel renamed Lee A. Tregurtha.
IMO 5385625
In service 2011 for Lakes Shipping (Interlake)
6104
In 1979 in Toledo Ohio we washed the Walter a.sterling it was covered with iron ore dust it took three days. I worked for a company called total wash.i was 17 yrs old I’m 54 now.my name is Frank Pegorch my dad sailed the great lakes.
I was on the W.A.S. in 1979 – through 1981. Is there any information about the rest of the crew during that timeframe – I was 3AE.
I sailed as a deckhand July and August 1979
I sailed on the M/V Sterling 1964/1965, 19 years old as a Wiper. Painted the Engine Room from top to bottom. Great memories.
This ship was named after my grandfather Walter A. Sterling who worked for Cleveland Cliffs. We would certainly welcome any further information about him, the ship or his legacy. Contact: gina@reginarubin.com 216-802-9003