Boatnerd Discussion Forum

It was mentioned a few years ago, on the board, that Interlake wanted a forward-mounted self-unloader so that it could reach the far end of the dock, without worrying about damage to the rudder. It was the 'B' blast furnace that was damaged in 2008 and Severstal has indicated it won't be rebuilt until steel demand is at least 90%.

The location of the Sherwin's fuel tanks require the forward boom.

Guest wrote:Interlake wants a self-unloader with a forward-mounted boom so that they can serve the blast furnace at Severstal Dearborn, a blast furnace that has yet to be re-built. American Valor would need modifications to be a forward-mounted self-unloader.

Can you explain why a forward mounted boom is necessary to serve the furance that blew up a few years ago and has yet to be rebuilt. It already seems more accessible than the current only operating furnace that's the furthest one down the slip and served by rear mounted booms. Thanks

The Sherwin with a bow-mounted self-unloader would be an interesting conversion, all of the larger ships like her have stern-mounted ones. If some planning went into this, are there any design drawings anywhere for this conversion? They'd be interesting to see. As would the American Valor in Interlake colors, though I doubt a trade like that would ever happen.

Is it true that IMS is expecting a US-flag vessel next year? Are there any considerations other than the Victory-Valor-Fortitude? It would be a tragedy if one of these ships was cut up, though I wouldn't quite miss the Acorn, if it turned out to be her.

The American Valor went into layup during Nov. 2008 at the CSX #1 Dock at Toledo. She was moved and is now located at the Lakefront Ore Dock. She has not sailed since Nov. 2008 as an active carrier.

Acorn laid up following the 2011 season. The Contender joined the fleet at the start of the 2012 season.

Guest wrote:Regarding the Lakes Contender: She was leased before the Boland went into layup. Both vessels ran at the same time in the 2012 season. The Contender did replace the Acorn.

The Acorn hasn't sailed in a while i thought she was replacing the American Republic.

Regarding the Lakes Contender: She was leased before the Boland went into layup. Both vessels ran at the same time in the 2012 season. The Contender did replace the Acorn.

The reason the Sherwin is to be a bow mounted self unloader is because of the location of her fuel tanks in the stern area.

Interlake wants a self-unloader with a forward-mounted boom so that they can serve the blast furnace at Severstal Dearborn, a blast furnace that has yet to be re-built. American Valor would need modifications to be a forward-mounted self-unloader.

Street talk says that: 1. USS Great Lakes Fleet has purchased engine parts off the Valor. This most likely marks the end of her days a steamer. 2. IMS says that a large US ship will be brought in this year for scrapping.
If these rumors are true, what are the chances for a cash and ship swap between ASC and Interlake? If Interlake swapped the Sherwin for the Valor they would get a somewhat simular sized ship only in need of repowering that does not require the installation of self unloading gear. ASC would get the scrap hull of the Shewin plus a pile of extra cash they would not get just scrapping one of their steamers. The net gain of hulls for Interlake is none. No change in the competitive balance assuming Interlake would otherwise rebuild and activate the Sherwin. Possible win-win for both sides????

Makes you wonder if Central Marine Logistics might want the Cornelius again. They're more less the only integrated steel fleet left dedicated to hauling for three locations of Mittal blast furnaces. Seems to me, they'd want to deal for the Adam E., and throw in the Burton, being the closest thing to a sister ship to the Sykes. They could grease a deal with a tonnage contract for ASC.

Jared wrote:It would be a shame. After seeing the Maumee, Norris, and Challenger go within months of each other is a hard pill to swallow. I know a guy who is kinda a caretaker of the Fortitude and he said he hadn't heard anything about scrapping. Like what was said before, it is believed the Valor would go before anything else.

The Norris and Maumee were at IMS in 2011. The Challenger went for conversion in 2013, hardly months from each other. Maybe you mean Quebecois and Montrealais even though the latter isn't at IMS but is rumored for scrap.

Chris M wrote:ASC doesnt own the Boland (FRANKLIN STEAMSHIP COMPANY
CENTERPOINTE CORPORATE PARK 500 ESSJAY ROAD 
WILLIAMSVILLE, NY 14221) or Cornelius ( EDISON STEAMSHIP COMPANY 500 ESSJAY RD WILLIAMSVILLE, NY 14221) Unless these are subsidiaries of ASC

Note the addresses, they are both ASC subsidiaries designed to help minimize liability to the extent of each shell corporation rather than the aggregate fleet.

ASC doesnt own the Boland (FRANKLIN STEAMSHIP COMPANY
CENTERPOINTE CORPORATE PARK 500 ESSJAY ROAD 
WILLIAMSVILLE, NY 14221) or Cornelius ( EDISON STEAMSHIP COMPANY 500 ESSJAY RD WILLIAMSVILLE, NY 14221) Unless these are subsidiaries of ASC

It's confusing to me why ASC would get out of a lease with the American Republic, let the Adam E. Cornelius, and John J. Boland sit and then take up another lease on the Lakes Contender. My only guess is they got a really attractive offer to run that barge. I've heard of some issues with the Cornelius but it seems better to run a ship you own then pay to run a barge you don't. The steamers I'm not surprised have sat all this time. ASC wanted the Footers and the EMD powered river boats, and the steamers were just a stipulation. It'd be sad to see any of them go but that's just business.

It would be sad to see any three of these ships go to scrap (American Fortitude, American Valor, and American Victory). It would also be surprising if ASC would divest themselves of any of these Jones Act compliant hulls. However, if their future tonnage commitment forecasts indicate a long-term decline in the demand for bulk material transport, then it would make sense to reduce the size of their fleet. Besides these three ships, the John J. Boland and Adam E. Cornelius both sat out the 2013 season. It would be interesting to see that instead of scrapping if some type of transaction takes place like that between Interlake and Lower Lakes a few years ago with the sale of the Elton Hoyt 2nd (Michipicoten). After its sale the ship was reflagged Canadian, and if I remember correctly Interlake obtained some tonnage commitments for a few years from Lower Lakes.

My mistake, I got the name of the ex Middletown mixed up with the Valor. Took a drive down there the other day and did not see any activity on neither vessels.

As Chris M posted, all rumors til a tow hook is on the bow. Sure, what ASC is doing with their three steamers makes us boatwatchers wonder what they plan with them, but as we all know it comes down to company assets and profit. It's not cheap to keep them laid up where they are and for this long which seems to indicate there's a future for them. The same can be said about the Sherwin and Ryerson. We just have to wait and see.

Just to clarify for Darryl about the Middletown, it was built as a tanker, but when converted for the lakes, the bow and stern were retained and attached to a new bulk freighter midsection.

I would think the Jones Act would come into consideration. Once lost, am American built hull that can haul cargoes between American ports is awfully hard to replace these days. Would seem like it would make sense to keep a viable ship in storage for long term versus trying to find a way to obtain a new one in 2019. I would think circa 2006-2007 would still be in decision maker's minds when anything that could float was being put back into service - e.g. Algocen, Ryerson, and almost the John Sherwin. At this point in 2014 it might seem like those days will never return, but anyone looking ahead from about 1986 probably would have said the same thing.