Girdler, Tom M.

(1945) 1951                            Tom M. Girdler                                        1980

Steel Great Lakes bulk freighter

Built at Vancouver WA by Kaiser Company Inc., Hull 513
Launched Jan 1946
Built as Louis McH. Howe for U. S. Maritime Commission as Class C4-S-A4 class cargo vessel during World War II, registered at 497.21 x 71.7 x 29.9, 10688 GT, 7506 NT.  522’10” LOA, 496’7” LBP, 71’7” beam, 43’6” depth.  Laid up after the war in the James River reserve fleet.  Sold 1951 to owners below.

Towed to Baltimore MD, where she was converted to a Great Lakes bulk freighter by Maryland Dry Dock Co.  New forebody built at Pascagoula AL by Ingalls Shipbuilding Co. and towed to Baltimore.  Finished vessel towed into the Great Lakes via the Mississippi and Illinois Rivers.

Final conversion was completed at South Chicago IL by American Ship Building Co.
New dimensions:  604’ LOA, 585’ LBP, 71’6” beam, 35’ depth
1 deck, hatches @ 24’, oil-fired boilers, steam turbine engine, 9000 SHP

Enrolled at
585.7 x 71.7 x 29.9, 9115 GT, 4497 NT     US 249104     to:
Nicholson-Universal Steamship Co., Detroit MI, Troy H. Browning, Mgr.

Entered Great Lakes service Nov 1951

Sold 1951 to Republic Steel Corporation, Detroit MI, Troy H. Browning, Mgr.

Management of fleet transferred 1972 to Wilson Marine Transit Co., Cleveland OH

Management of fleet transferred 1972 to Cleveland-Cliffs Iron Co., Cleveland OH

Sold for scrap 1980 to Indian shipbreakers.  Cleared Quebec QC Sept 16, 1980 towed by tug Hanseat.  Tow arrived Bombay India Dec 13, 1980

IMO 5364085

 

5103

2 thoughts on “Girdler, Tom M.

  1. MY TWIN BROTHER SAILED ON TOM GIRDLER OUT OF ESCANABA, MI. IN 1969-1970 SEASON ON THE LAKES .I JUST FOUND AN ARTIST WITH A PRINT OF THE “THREE SISTERS” THAT I WILL PURCHASE TO REMEMBER HIM BY AS HE PASSED ON TWO YEARS AGO. FOUND YOUR INFO ON THE SHIP WITH MY BEST FRIEND SCOTT LEWIS OF GROSSE POINT,MI. ,JUST DOUN THE ROAD FROM YOU . THANKS FOR THE INFORMATION .GOD BLESS

  2. I sailed on the Girdler in 1971. She was fast and a beautiful vessel. Although we never carried passengers, it was set up with four staterooms, a glass staircase leading to a lounge and private galley. We were unloading in South Chicago at the lower Republic Steel dock on the Calumet River – a blistering hot day – and the hewletts were breaking down, extending our stay. Captain Auterson opened the air conditioned passenger quarters to the crew to escape the heat. I wonder what happened to the artwork that festooned the lounge (and all the brasswork from the many many ships that went to the breakers). I suppose the Patton and White, sister ships to the Girdler met the same fate.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *