1978 George A. Stinson
Steel twin-screw self-unloading Great Lakes bulk freighter
Built at Lorain OH by American Ship Building Co., Hull 907
Midbody built at Toledo OH by American Ship Building Co. and towed Nov 1977 to Lorain, where the bow and stern sections had been built. Sections joined in drydock and vessel floated July 15, 1978.
1004’ LOA, 990’6” LBP, 105’ beam, 50’ depth
1 deck, arch cargo hold construction, hatches @ 24’, 2 oil-fired diesel engines, 16000 BHP
Enrolled at
990.0 x 105.2 x 47.7, 34568 GT, 29412 NT US 595539 to:
National Steel Corporation, Cleveland OH, M. A. Hanna Co., Mgr. (home port Wilmington DE)
Towed Aug 15, 1978 to the foot of Woodward Avenue, Detroit MI for christening and final work to avoid expected strike by shipyard employees at Lorain.
Entered service Oct 14, 1978 clearing Detroit light for Superior WI
Management of vessel transferred 1992 to Interlake Steamship Co., Cleveland OH when the Hanna organization withdrew from vessel management (last vessel managed by Hanna)
Management of vessel transferred 1997 to American Steamship Co., Buffalo NY
Renamed American Spirit 2004
IMO 7423392
In service 2011 for American Steamship Co.
7802
The Stinspn was not towed to the foot of Woodwatd Ave, it sailed under it’s own power to the foot of Great Lakes Ave to National Steel dock in Ecorse Michigan where National Steel guards kept it under surveillance while finishing work was accomplished. It was pulled from the Ohio shipyard when it was discovered that unhappy workers were starting to weld doors shut.
Ok used to visit and “DINE” on the Stinson when I worked at the Steel Mill in Detroit.
The view from the pilot house was just amazing.
People would swear I was lying when I told them how far you can see, and it took a elevator ride for me to get up there.
I worked on the Stinson when it was docked if Detroit terminal and dock in collaboration with Nicholson terminal and dock to finish it off. I worked with the welders way high up 5 stories inside the hull of the boat
How many crew does it take to man one of these remarkable ships?
I believe it was around 35 crew would sail on her my dad sailed on her for many years for Hanna Mining
I worked at the Ecorse mill natoinal steel i remember it at zug island
I have very fond memories of being on the Georgia Stinson as a little girl… something I will cherish forever and never forget
RIP
WILLIAM ” BILLY” COOK
AND BARNEY
I was one of the National Steel guards that was onboard the Stinson when she docked at the foot of Great Lakes Ave. We were told that news crews were waiting for her after leaving Ohio for a short cruise and would stop so they could talk to the crew but she kept on going and sailed past them and came to us. We were under struck orders to let no one near her (including news people) because welders were attempting to weld doors shut and it was feared that there may be other attempts of sabotage. My father sailed the Wyandotte Chemical’s freighter the Conneaut for ten years before working for National Steel (Great Lakes Steel). My father became a foreman there and the Stinson tied up about 200 feet outside his office building! He was retired by this time and I was going to bring him on board but he was away at the time. I remember the ship had a dining area for the crew that resembled a grocery store with different types of lunch meats and cheese behind a glass counter for those who wanted a sandwich or snack and a chef was on hand behind it. The food tasted great!