Lorain, ohio shipyard demise

[Russ]

The problem likely started when Steinbrenner had expansion plans in the late 1960's - early 1970's. He purchased the Wilson and Republic fleets and the Steinbrenner fleet expanded to 22 - 24 boats. He lost an anti-trust law suit because of his mutual interest in shipyards and a relatively large fleet. He sold off most of the boats in the middle 1970's. BY 1981, the Kinsman fleet was back down to 6 intermittentlly operated boats. Also, due to the recession in the 1980's, other fleets were selling olded boats for scrap and fewer boats were being operated so there was less work for the shipyard. This situation was compounded by a labor dispute in 1982 - 1983. Steinbrenner laid off some 1500 workers and closed the ship yard in 1984. The Spitzer family, who already owned substantial land along the Black River acquired the American Shiobuilding site. Their initial plan was to build a casino on the site. However, the referendum on this potential use was voted down around 1990. Subsequently, around 1998, the Spitzers built a marina on the site.

[bill]

I was wondering if anyone has info on the closing of thr American Shipbuilding plant in Lorain, Ohio (around 1983) and the opening of Spitzer Riverside Marina, that took over the land Please send responces to [email protected]