Boatnerd Discussion Forum

It wouldn't make any sense to turn American Victory into a ship that could carry oil. It would be cheaper to build a new tanker.

There might be a lot of truth to holding on to excess capacity hulls at this time. Steel appears to be going up; coal's demise might be hitting a plateau especially with it being ship overseas, and they are double hull boats (wasn't the Middleton a tanker at one time?) maybe destined to move oil again.

Nobody has suggested that Valor should be at the top of the list. They've been talking about the American Victory which is the ex Middletown. I think most rather expect that the Valor would be the last ship they'd dispose of out of the three.

But their outside appearances have little bearing on a discussion like this. The Victory indeed looks the roughest of the three but a few days in a shipyard would remedy that. It's her internal condition that matters.

One thing the Victory has going for it over the Fortitude is something like 3,000 tons greater capacity per trip. And the Victory offers the flexibility to pass through the Welland Canal and even the St. Lawrence Seaway which the larger Valor doesn't.

If ASC were to suddenly find a non traditional trade for a vessel like Central Marine Logistics did for the Ryerson for a while and the Great Lakes Fleet has for the Great Republic, her dimensions could be a valuable asset if their 70's era vessels that could partake in such a route were busy (Which hasn't been the case since the recession).

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.

I find it interesting that anyone at ASC would comment one way or another considering this would likely be considered insider information. The sale or disposal of such a large asset could affect investor decisions.

TWilush wrote:She was supposed to go for scrap in the fall, but the tow was postponed until the spring due to weather. Tow ring was welded to her bow and white level line put on in early December.

Just so people don't go crazy, the above is referring to Transfer not Burton/Fortitude

She was supposed to go for scrap in the fall, but the tow was postponed until the spring due to weather. Tow ring was welded to her bow and white level line put on in early December.

Guest wrote:If I recall correctly, the last few of 'these threads' were 100% correct with regards to the Quebecois, Transfer and Provider. We'll have to wait and see.

Where has Transfer gone?

Hmmm my source at ASC is saying the exact opposite, just have to wait and see

IMS stated in the September tour that they were expecting a large US flag vessel in 2014, but would say little else.

I have no idea if true or not but this was the same reaction when it was anonymously post the Challenger would be converted this year. Everyone said we have heard that every year... blah blah blah. What I like about these newer styled boards is you can easily ignore a thread if you don't want to read it where the old board it was much harder.

Source, someone inside ASC. I don't see what's so hard to believe about a company scrapping a boat they never wanted in the first place. I've worked on the Burton, it was a good job, but sentiment doesn't change the facts. It is what it is, deal with it.

Grizzly wrote:I'm getting really tired of these threads. It is irresponsible to post something like this without a viable source. It is akin to trolling.

Be realistic, why would they put a source out in a public discussion forum? I certainly would not, that's exactly how you stop receiving information and get people in trouble. If a vessel is heading for the bone-yard I would appreciate the heads-up either way.

If I recall correctly, the last few of 'these threads' were 100% correct with regards to the Quebecois, Transfer and Provider. We'll have to wait and see.

I'm getting really tired of these threads. It is irresponsible to post something like this without a viable source. It is akin to trolling.

The Ryerson getting a boom would be far superior to the scrap heap

Source?

This rumor would be as bad as hearing the ryerson getting a unloading boom every year.

Is the future really so bleak for these ships? The Victory, unfortunately, looks as though it's in tough shape, but the Valor and Fortitude look like they could sail again tomorrow (aside for removing parts from the Valor). Has ASC announced any plans for these three? Their website, of course, says nothing about them even being laid up.

If repowering remains a possibility, all 3 might survive. As far as I have heard, the Victory's only issue is the engines. ASC has been allowing the Great Lakes Fleet to remove parts from the Valor for use on their 3 AAA's. The Fortitude I think is the only one right now that might have any chance of sailing again as is.

Victory will go before the fortitude. I doubt victory will ever sail again with the shape it appears to be in.