Sparrows Point

1952                                Sparrows Point                                                  

Steel Great Lakes bulk freighter

Built at Sparrows Point MD by Bethlehem Steel Corporation, Hull 4505
Launched April 18, 1952
Towed to the Great Lakes via the Mississippi and Illinois Rivers and prepared for service at South Chicago IL by American Ship Building Co.

626’ LOA, 611’ LBP, 70’ beam, 37’ depth
1 deck, arch cargo hold construction, hatches @ 24’, coal-fired boilers, steam turbine engine, 7700 SHP

Enrolled at Wilmington DE
611.0 x 70.2 x 33.7, 9164 GT, 5608 NT     US 264391     to:
Bethlehem Transportation Corporation, Cleveland OH (home port Wilmington DE)

Entered service Nov 1952

Lengthened 1958 at South Chicago IL by American Ship Building Co.
Remeasured to 683.0 length and 10317 GT, 5947 NT

Converted to self-unloader 1980 at Superior WI by Fraser Shipyards
Remeasured to 11691 GT, 7321 NT

Sold 1991 to Columbia Transportation Division, Oglebay Norton Co., Cleveland OH and renamed Buckeye  (3)

Sold late 2005 to K & K Warehousing Inc., Menominee MI and towed to Erie PA (home port to Menominee MI)

Converted to barge at Erie by Erie Shipbuilding.  Notch cut in stern and cabins removed

Renamed Lewis J. Kuber 2006 and reentered service.

Fleet sold 2011 to Grand River Navigation Co., Avon Lake OH, an affiliate of Lower Lakes Towing Ltd., Lower Lakes Towing, Mgr.

IMO 5336351

In service 2011 for Grand River Navigation

 

5212

 

 

12 thoughts on “Sparrows Point

    • I was with Smitty on the Steelton 1969 he was first mate and he got off at the downbound Soo to go Captain on the Bethlehem, not sure how long he stayed at the Bethlehem hatch farm. His brother worked on the bum boat in Superior, WI./

  1. Any information you have on my Father William Lewis whole who died August 20th 1972 on The Sparrows Point in Ashtabula Ohio

  2. Any information you have on my Father William Lewis Hull who died August 20th 1972 on The Sparrows Point in Ashtabula Ohio

    • I remember your dad. My step grandfather was his Brother. My step grandfather was Fabun R. (Cy) Hull. Your dad was a big man. I remember you also. Even though I was young. I remember your dad and mom both. Was surprised to see his name here. Keep in touch.

    • I was on and off the Point many times from 1969 to 1983… deckhand to First Mate. The story I heard was your Dad died in bed while your mom was on board of a heart attack. I also was once taken off the ship near Wind Point by helo in good weather for breathing problems.

  3. My father was William Lewis Hull he passed away on The Sparrows Point 1972 August 20th it’s nice to see the old girl sailing
    once again again

  4. I was the Traverse City Coast Guard hoist operator that hoisted an injured crew member off of Green Bay one stormy night back in the mid 80’s. I will never forget that night nor the skill of my pilot as he dropped in behind the fwd structure matching the ships pitch in the 20’ swells minimizing my hoist delivery height. We 3 received an Unit Accommodation Award for the rescue but, equally important, also received a hand written thank you from the Captain of the Sparrows Point. I still have the letter.

  5. I sailed on her mid 60s…..first ship….taken off with pneumonia transported to Bay City Mi.at marine hospital there…..

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