American Victory

[Jon Paul]

Here's a couple of photos to add to the thread.

The first one was taken in 1975 when I was on the Samuel Mather and we met them crossing Mud Lake in the St Mary's River.
The second one was taken at Port Huron in the late '90's

[Guest]

American Victory certainly has a storied history anyone know why so many of her crew died when she was involved in a collision with another ship i think she was called the Gulfoil then thanks in advance?

Here is the USCG Commandant's Action regarding the Marine Board of Investigation of the collision between Gulfoil and S. E. Graham.

http://www.dco.uscg.mil/Portals/9/DCO%2 ... ulfoil.pdf

[Guest]

I think the pics are great...thanks for sharing!!

Thanks Jon Paul, I enjoyed your historical images you posted in a separate thread.


I have attached a few more of this ship. The shot of the Middletown exiting the MacArthur Lock is from the summer of 1995, I arrived too late to get a bow shot. The sky had been full of dark storm clouds late that afternoon but the sun peeked through just at the right time to cast some light on the ship.

The second is the last time I saw this vessel as an operating ship when it passed down at St. Clair, Michigan on a early spring morning in 2008 as the American Victory.

[GuestfromEU]

While I have memories of working aboard the Middletown, I cannot say they were the finest of my career. The ship is hopelessly outdated in today's world, as it was 20 years ago. The Bailey boiler automation was outdated from the date it was installed. I certainly learned a lot, though not much of which translates into usable skills with a modern shipping company. I believe MARPOL regulations will do in the few remaining steam propulsion plants, as IFO 380 is no longer a usable fuel, and MGO is not a reasonable fuel for steam boilers.

Make no mistake, the Victory and Valor were sold as a package deal, and their recycling plans were agreed upon long before the deal was finalised. ASC wanted the steamships gone from their ledger, but also wanted to avoid the liability of demolition, as learned from the Fortitude, while also minimizing the risk of competition possibilities.

The unloading boom may be worth some money, but not much in the grand scheme of things. It's a simple design of basic steel, nothing complicated. Removal and storage costs could easily surpass the amount required to construct new and install on whichever ship is required.

We all wish the old boats would sail forever and/or become museum ships. Unfortunately, every mechanical object has its acceptable lifespan, which has generally been surpassed on the Great Lakes as a whole. I suppose we don't keep every vehicle we've owned for the same reason...their cost/benefit ratio has outrun its course. I've worked with crew of different nationalities with whom I speak about the Great Lakes. They cannot comprehend how 1950s is average-ish, and 1970s vintage ships are fairly modern. Last year I brokered a deal selling a 2001-built container ship for scrap. It was 16 years old and outlived its usefulness in efficiency. It really was not in poor condition - no significant wastage of hull, all mechanicals worked well - but a package of being older and higher fuel consumption with outdated technology was the line in the proverbial sand.

[Guest]

American Victory certainly has a storied history anyone know why so many of her crew died when she was involved in a collision with another ship i think she was called the Gulfoil then thanks in advance?

[Denny]

Yeah you are right there tugboathunter. As far as where she ends up at for scrapping, Gosh help us I pray and hope it’s not on a towline to an overseas destination like Aliaga. That would just break us boatnerd’s hearts to see that happen! Like I mentioned in my earlier post about her, I hope she ends up at IMS for scrapping as I’m sure that many of the boatnerds would love to see her pass this way one last and final time and to say their goodbyes to the classic steamer and grand ‘ole lady as well. Too bad there wouldn’t be a way to hear her classic horns and whistle one last and final time on her while she is towed to scrap! Hey c’mon folks can’t a person at least imagine and dream about it?

[tugboathunter]

Purvis is not in the scrapping business other than cutting up their own equipment. I think it will go to IMS or Aliaga as with other Algoma vessels.

[Denny]

Does anyone know where they will scrap her at? I thought I read and heard once they may consider towing her to Essar Steel just above the Soo Locks and scrapping her there like what has been done on a few other retired lakers. I for one would love to see at least her get towed to IMS in Port Colborne as at least any of the nerds down in these parts could get to see her towed one last and final time before they cut her up. Still sad to see her end up going to scrap though. On a side note, I have lots of great digital photos of her that I'd be willing to share but don't know how to get them on here? Not too good at editing photos and shrinking them down to size to get them to fit her. Among some that are worthy is of her back in 2006 locking up at the Soo in the Mac Lock and then I got her in lay up at Toledo alongside the American Valor which is more than I can say a classic photo. Those were in 2008 I think it was and the last and final time the two would be laid up together at least in the same port. Sorry I can't send them to KYS Facebook as I'm not a member there. Lots of good memories of those two ships!

[Jon Paul]

I think the pics are great...thanks for sharing!!

[Chris M]

No plans to replace the boom on the Munson so must be for someone else

[Guest]

Someone mentioned that in a Facebook post that the American Victory would be going to Fraser Shipyard to have her boom removed. Back in the early Fall, there was some talk that the John G. Munson would be getting the boom from the Victory. Is this related to that rumour?

[Guest]

Here are a few shots of this ship as the Middletown at the McLouth yard at Marine City back in the 90s. Sorry they are not the best, as I did not have a very good camera at the time.

[Guest]

I would assume they will use the 2 acquired hulls till there new tonnage catches up with demand then they will be retired or layed up and used as spares. If demand stays strong I could see them staying with Algoma for a while, what kind of fuel do both these ships use marine diesel or a blend?

[Guest]

Perhaps the most significant remark in this article concerning the purchase of these four ships by Algoma is the statement "the price for the four vessels was attractive enough to make the purchase a useful stop-gap measure." This tells me that Algoma has no long range plans for any of these vessels with none of them likely to have lengthy careers under the Canadian flag. It will be interesting to see what happens to the American Valor. Although Canadian fleets have not yet pursued any tug/barge combos for their bulk fleet, the size of this vessel and its likely trading routes based upon those restrictions may encourage such a conversion. I am saddened to see the American Victory go to the breakers as I recall getting up close to it many times while it unloaded at the McLouth yard at Marine City in the 90s. Hardly a surprise, however, with its aged powerplant dating back to World War II. I believe that Algoma has options to build more ships in Croatia. If that is true, I would expect the remaining ships gone within the next 10 years (if the American Valor don't go earlier).

[garbear]

Actually, the article literally states they they are "still trying to figure out the best reconfiguration for the American Valor". Reconfiguration sounds like they're trying to find a use for her. Hull must be in good shape.

Here's the paragraph.


In addition to its Equinox acquisitions, Algoma Central surprised many with its acquisition late last year of four used U.S.-flag lakers from American Steamship Company for registering under the Canadian flag. Algoma CFO Peter Winkley said the company expects 2018 to see a continued resurgence of cargoes that will test the company’s capacity. Algoma has decided to scrap American Victory, the oldest ship acquired from American Steamship Co. Algoma is still studying the best reconfiguration for American Valor, built in 1953. However, Buffalo and Adam Cornelius will be in service this year hauling aggregates, salt and other commodities on the Great Lakes under the Algoma banner, he said. The company said the acquisition of the two vessels strengthens its market position in the dry bulk business where it sees many opportunities

[Guest]

Actually, the article literally states they they are "still trying to figure out the best reconfiguration for the American Valor". Reconfiguration sounds like they're trying to find a use for her. Hull must be in good shape.

[Pjwh12]

Thank you for sharing the article
An interesting read
I think this sentence from the article says volumes as to algomas business reasons for the purchase

“Winkley said the price for the four vessels was attractive enough to make the purchase a useful stop-gap measure. “We’re dealing with delays in receiving our new ships, and we are managing our older capacity as well as we can.”

It would appear the purchase was a temporary messure as there new builds were delayed and they need hulls to haul cargo if only for a limited time frame

As well the statement “the price for the four vessels was attractive enough “ might lead one to believe it was buy 2 and get 2 for free kind of deal.

Then again Algoma May have bought all four with good intentions and not until after a good going over did they conclude scraping was the only course of action

[Shipwatcher1]

Just finished reading an article that was posted on website for the Canadian Sailings and it mentions and talks about the new ships being built for CSL and Algoma and arriving in Canada for both the Canada Steamship Lines' fleet and the Algoma Central fleet as well. While the article does mention the purchase that Algoma made in late 2017 on the Adam E. Cornelius, Buffalo along with the American Victory and American Valor it also mentions future plans for those four vessels as well. It is unfortunate however, that in the article it states "Algoma has decided to scrap the American Victory yet they are still considering what to do about the American Valor at this time!" So, it sounds unfortunately like the Victory is about done and finished then as far as her career and ever sailing again. For anyone interested you can find the article at Canadian Sailings and their website and the article not sure of the title or links talks about new ships so hopefully you all can find it okay. Better get all the photos you can of both the Victory and Valor folks as nobody knows yet just how long these two classic steamers will be with us? A very sad era is coming to an end for these fine steamers and the days of steamers here on the US side of the lakes is drawing to a close as well. Better get all the photos you can of what is left of the US steamers now folks before they are gone and just memories!

Not really of much surprise regarding the Victory. I think we've all known for the last several years that those steamers were on borrowed time.

The Valor remains a mystery, as it seems she could be used on the upper lakes salt trades quite well. Only time will tell for her.

[Guest]

If they're scrapping the American Victory, it doesn't leave any hope for the Valor, I'm afraid.

The Victory was built to the Seawaymax standards at the time, has a newer midbody, and slightly greater carrying capacity than the 767' Valor. Could be a useful and versatile ship for Algoma if repowered and upgraded. The Valor on the other hand is too long for the Seaway as-is, and even if shortened, her 70' beam works against her for Seaway trading.

Short of Algoma shortening the Valor and repowering her with a diesel for river trading (She was originally 647' long and her 70' beam could be an advantage at some tight spots), it's tough to see her having any advantage over the Victory that could lead to her being retained while the other is scrapped.

And in view of how great the condition of the James Norris was and supposedly a modern diesel already having been purchased to repower her with prior to the dissolution of Upper Lakes Shipping, it's probably safe to assume Algoma isn't considering such a plan to repurpose the American Valor.

[Denny]

Just finished reading an article that was posted on website for the Canadian Sailings and it mentions and talks about the new ships being built for CSL and Algoma and arriving in Canada for both the Canada Steamship Lines' fleet and the Algoma Central fleet as well. While the article does mention the purchase that Algoma made in late 2017 on the Adam E. Cornelius, Buffalo along with the American Victory and American Valor it also mentions future plans for those four vessels as well. It is unfortunate however, that in the article it states "Algoma has decided to scrap the American Victory yet they are still considering what to do about the American Valor at this time!" So, it sounds unfortunately like the Victory is about done and finished then as far as her career and ever sailing again. For anyone interested you can find the article at Canadian Sailings and their website and the article not sure of the title or links talks about new ships so hopefully you all can find it okay. Better get all the photos you can of both the Victory and Valor folks as nobody knows yet just how long these two classic steamers will be with us? A very sad era is coming to an end for these fine steamers and the days of steamers here on the US side of the lakes is drawing to a close as well. Better get all the photos you can of what is left of the US steamers now folks before they are gone and just memories!