1938 Ralph H. Watson 1987
Steel Great Lakes bulk freighter
Built at River Rouge MI by Great Lakes Engineering Works, Hull 285
Launched Nov 20, 1937
611’6” LOA, 594’3 ¾” LBP, 60’ beam, 32’6” depth
1 deck, arch cargo hold construction, hatches @ 24’, coal-fired boilers, steam turbine engine, 2000 SHP
Enrolled at Detroit Aug 31, 1938 (Temp #7)
593.3 x 60.2 x 28.2, 8302 GT, 6130 NT US 237854 to:Pittsburgh Steamship Co., Cleveland OH (home port Duluth MN)
Entered service Sept 2, 1938 clearing Detroit MI light for Duluth MN
Permanent enrollment at Duluth MN Sept 4, 1938
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 1970 at Lorain OH by American Ship Building Co.
Laid up May 16, 1980 at Duluth MN and did not operate again
Sold for scrap 1987 to Frederick F. Drontle, towed to Sorel QC and laid up. Resold to Turkish shipbreakers. Cleared Sorel May 16, 1989 with str. Robert C. Stanley towed by German tug Fairplay IX. Tow arrived Aliaga Turkey June 19, 1989
IMO 5289637
See history in Scanner May 1995 (#221)
3804
My dad, Harold, was the wheelsman on this ship in the late ’30’s, early 40’s. He loved the water and being on the ship. I have an enlarged picture of the ship, with a small picture of dad at the wheel, inserted in the picture. The blown up picture is hanging in my home office, surrounded by three model ships.
I have a great photo of the Ralph H Watson that my grand father took in the 50’s. Great looking ship.