White, Charles M.

(1946) 1952                               Charles M. White                                     1980

Steel Great Lakes bulk freighter

Built at Vancouver WA by Kaiser Company Inc., Hull 516
Launched Oct 28, 1945
Built as Mount Mansfield 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, 5719 NT     US 249263     to:
Nicholson-Universal Steamship Co., Detroit MI, Troy H. Browning, Mgr.

Entered Great Lakes service 1952

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

Management of fleet transferred 1957 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 8, 1980 with str. Thomas F. Patton towed by tug Fairplay X.  Tow arrived Karachi India before Dec 23, 1980

IMO 5068710

See history in Great Lakes Ships We Remember II p. 394

 

5201

 

10 thoughts on “White, Charles M.

  1. I was a deckwatch on the White in 1968. I remember the captain’s name was Peo. It was a summer job for me while in college, and I stayed on until lay-up to get the 10% bonus they offered to those that would stay aboard until layup. I remember the boson’s name was Walt Streeter. The White was one of Republic’s flag ships so we often hosted guests (usually big shots for auto companies or other steel buyers). I remember the food served on board was excellent. The chief steward was also an excellent baker and had fresh baked goods every day. Are there any other ex-White crew members out there?

    • You are correct my great uncle Eugene Peo was the caption of this vessel for many years. My father James Peo spent a summer as a deck hand working for his uncle Gene. My father always commented on how well feed the crew was. I still have a very large black and white photo of this ship.

  2. I sailed on the Charles M. White from May, 1979 through the summer of 1980, right up until “engines stop” and we had to debark because Cleveland Cliffs Iron Ore Company sold her for scrap. She was a great ship with a great crew. It was a sad day when we were informed; she ran like a top and had great character.

  3. My grandmother was his personal cook at his home in Cleveland, Ohio.Mr. White also had a home in Florida and my g- ma would drive his Cadillac bk and forth at the winter break.

  4. My grandfather, John “Jack” Tonge, was Captain on the Charles M White, in the 50’s and 60’s. When I was very young, I remember visiting his on the ship

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