Armco

[toledoboatphotographer]

There is no official comment from Algoma about the Valor being scrapped. Don't write her off just yet. The Adam E. Cornelius had the name Adam L. before she was renamed Algoma Compass.

[Guest]

Guest to answer your question on the Cornelius, there are some that have her name changed and shortened to Adam L. before she was given the name Algoma Compass this year. Hope that this helps you out here.

Thank you. It does prove my point that a shortening of the name doesn't always signal scrapping. The change to Valo could be an interim step to something else. Let's wait and see.

[Guest]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but didn't the Adam E Cornelius' name go through a series of variations on its way to becoming Algoma Compass ? Or maybe it was the Buffalo ? I can't exactly recall but I believe this is what happened. Granted, shortening a name often precedes a scrap tow but that's for oversees scrapping. But we don't see that for scrapping taking place on the GL's which is how the Valor would be scrapped if that was the plan. How about we wait for reported facts from a primary source (like Algoma) ?

Agreed. Cornelius became Adam L. (and that was even what the shipyard in Erie had her on the schedule as) before becoming the Compass. Let's wait for official word. We don't see name shortening for scrapping on the lakes, and she's too big to fit down the Seaway, so wait and see.

[Bob]

If the American valor is scrapped what a waste of a good ship. Why don't they sell it to uss Great Lakes fleet? That's not one of algomas competitors. I realize that they have had the Arthur m Anderson in layup for 2 years but the valor has a lot of life left in it as it hasn't sailed for 10 years. I'm sure if uss is worried about the shape the Anderson is in as it's had a hard life and they don't want to sail it the valor would be a viable choice for a ship worthy of many more years of service. Seems a shame that these good hulls are being scrapped. Makes a person wonder why in the world interlake hangs on to the sherwin as that ship needs way more costly repairs done to it before it ever sailed again compared to the ships that are being sent to scrap today.

[Denny]

Guest to answer your question on the Cornelius, there are some that have her name changed and shortened to Adam L. before she was given the name Algoma Compass this year. Hope that this helps you out here.

[Guest]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but didn't the Adam E Cornelius' name go through a series of variations on its way to becoming Algoma Compass ? Or maybe it was the Buffalo ? I can't exactly recall but I believe this is what happened. Granted, shortening a name often precedes a scrap tow but that's for oversees scrapping. But we don't see that for scrapping taking place on the GL's which is how the Valor would be scrapped if that was the plan. How about we wait for reported facts from a primary source (like Algoma) ?

[Shipwatcher1]

All the news page says is Canadian registry has been opened and name is Valo. Nothing else.

[garbear]

Here's the posting from the News Page.

Canadian registry opened for former American Valor

6/22 - On June 20, Canadian registry was opened for a vessel named Valo with a port of registry of St. Catharines, Ont., and the Algoma Central Corp. as registered owner. This is the American Valor, built in 1953 as the Armco. It is unknown what plans Algoma has for the vessel, but names are usually shortened in this manner for scrap tows. American Valor is in long-term layup at Toledo, Ohio.

[Jared]

[/quote]
Source?[/quote]

The daily news on Boatnerd?

[Guest]

It appears that Algoma has decided to scrap the former Armco (American Valor) right after the Middleton. That's a darn shame as I was hoping for her to be re-furnished and used again.

Source?

[Guest]

Another factor in the demise of these vessel is their age. With the Valor approaching 70 years in age and the Victory nearly 60, any major investment would have to envision a service life extension of at least another 10-20 years of service. By that time, the Valor would be approaching 90 and the Victory 80. This may have happened in the US fleet if demand was there, as evidenced by Interlake Steamship. With Canadian companies able to take advantage of economical offshore construction, the sale of these two ships is unsurprising.

[Guest]

If they let the American Victory go, I'm afraid that this was a forgone conclusion. If a Seaway-centric fleet like Algoma was only going to revitalize one of the two, the American Victory was the most obvious choice to join their fleet of Equinox vessels.

The Valor's midbody is the better part of a decade older, she has a 70' beam instead of the old Seawaymax 75' like the Victory was, her length is too long to allow for Seaway transits while the Victory again was the old Seawaymax size, and if I'm not mistaken she has slightly less carrying capacity at an equivalent draft than the American Victory had.

I had hoped that they saw potential in shortening her for river trading where perhaps a ~647' x 70' self-unloader might occupy a useful niche for some difficult to reach customers, but wasn't holding my breath.

[Guest]

An unfortunate, if not unsurprising development. I have heard one of the biggest problems with this ship was the steam powerplant and the lack of qualified personnel to operate it under the Canadian flag. I don't know how true that is, but its likely that if it had been dieselized, Algoma would have found work for it in the salt trade for at least a few years.

[Denny]

Yup certainly is sad and unfortunate to read and hear the news on her in today's news reports. Another classic steamer will end up leaving us and heading for the breakers. Due to her length though at 767 feet, I would imagine she may end up being scrapped at the IMS yard in Port Colborne? At 767 feet in length, she is much too long to be able to transit both the Welland and Seaway Locks as they can only handle a vessel up to 740 feet in length. Hard now to imagine just 12 years ago already this month Oglebay Norton sold 6 of their ships to American Steamship or ASC and now of those that were sold from Oglebay to ASC only three of them are left from that deal the American Century, Courage along with the Integrity yet the Courage has not operated since 2015 though. A once proud and historic fleet Oglebay Norton once was with their ships and now it is only memories and a legend filled with many stories, history and photos like many other once proud fleets that sailed the Great Lakes/Seaway. The days of the classic steamer are slowly but gradually fading away from us! Better enjoy the ones that are left at least on the U.S. side while you can boatnerds as we all know that nothing lasts forever unfortunately as much as we all would like it to be. Farewell former Armco 3 Long and 2 Short!

[Jared]

It appears that Algoma has decided to scrap the former Armco (American Valor) right after the Middleton. That's a darn shame as I was hoping for her to be re-furnished and used again.