Boatnerd Discussion Forum

[quote="WM4504"]Interesting, how can a steamer burn diesel fuel? News to me.[/quote]

I believe the comment was in connection to Interlake's repowers.

That said, even steam locomotives sometimes burn diesel these days. Union Pacific's excursion steamers, including Big Boy #4014 when she's finished in hopefully 2019, all burn the same diesel fuel that the rest of the Union Pacific fleet burns.

They've all been converted to oil burners and it's logistically simpler just to burn the same diesel fuel as the rest of the fleet than to supply them with difficult to source Bunker C that no other power on the system uses. They can fuel where any Union Pacific power fuels, including by contracted out fuel trucks at many of the yards that UP lacks dedicated fueling facilities at in today's environmentally conscious world.

I'm no boiler expert, but I don't see why a Great Lakes steamer would be any different. But I was under the impression it would make them too expensive to run compared to cheaper fuels? Not an issue for a locomotive used only on special locations if the fuel bill is higher than it could be, but it's a big deal for a steamship that's under steam most of the year.

So I really doubt you'll see any Great Lakes steamers burning diesel. If it was that easy and economical, I can't imagine that the owners of the Badger wouldn't of just gone down that route for example. But I imagine they ran the math and the fuel bill would've destroyed the economics.

I suspect the same would hold true here as well.

Interesting, how can a steamer burn diesel fuel? News to me.

ASC has to maintain a certain carrying capacity to meet contractual obligations. Due to the market in recent years there has not been a maximum demand so ships like the Valor have not been needed.

As for the scrubber...she would not require one as she can burn ultra low sulfur diesel exclusively just as the footers do.

In the old days Insurance would require a ship keeper aboard.

How much does it cost per year for the owners to keep the American Valor tied up? Does she have a deck hand on board to look after the ship as well what would cost be?

[quote="Guest"]It's interesting how Interlake invested big money into converting their older s/u's to diesel thus extending their life expectancy and making them more efficient. They even did the relatively small Herbert C. Jackson. Most of the vessels are of similar age to the Valor and she sits, likely awaiting scrap but still in otherwise good shape. A shame.[/quote]


make no mistake, the cost of adding those scrubbers will be compensated by the cheaper fuel they'll be allowed to burn.

Reality: The steel industry is still subjected to foreign dumping of subsidized steel products. None of this has been addressed by the present and immediate past administrations - just lip service (by both.) And second, each year of the past few years, sees less coal hauled due to a switch to less polluting or renewable energy sources.

A major difference between the Interlake Steamship and the American Steamship Company is that the latter is a subsidiary of a larger transportation entity which in this case is GATX.

The bottom line, however, is the lack of demand. If there was sufficient tonnages available, there is no reason to believe that the American Valor would not be operating or receiving upgrades in line with those performed on other ships of its type and era. While I agree that part of the incentive of acquiring the three steamers from Oglebay Norton was to keep them from other operators, there was sufficient business at the time to keep them in operation and they were only put to the wall when the bottom fell out of the market in 2008.

[quote="Guest"]It's interesting how Interlake invested big money into converting their older s/u's to diesel thus extending their life expectancy and making them more efficient. They even did the relatively small Herbert C. Jackson. Most of the vessels are of similar age to the Valor and she sits, likely awaiting scrap but still in otherwise good shape. A shame.[/quote]

Probably a matter at the time of ASC wanting to grab up that tonnage to keep it away from other fleets. Now they can scrap those hulls at no loss to themselves. They have no need for the hulls, thus no need for them to even consider diesel engines.

It's interesting how Interlake invested big money into converting their older s/u's to diesel thus extending their life expectancy and making them more efficient. They even did the relatively small Herbert C. Jackson. Most of the vessels are of similar age to the Valor and she sits, likely awaiting scrap but still in otherwise good shape. A shame.

The Valor has been laid up since November 13, 2008. With her fleetmate American Fortitude going to the heap recently, chances don't look too great for her. I am pretty sure she only has a one way trip left. Too bad- she's got a good 30 years left in her, and certainly one of my favorites.

If I'm right - She is being stripped in preparation for her future scrapping.

Are there any plans for the American Valor she has been in long term layup for years one of my favorite ships thanks in advance.