Tom M. Girdler
Who am I?
Research indicates that the ship in front is a “Girdler Class” freighter. Three freighters of this type sailed the Great Lakes:
Tom M. Girdler, Charles M. White and Troy H. Browning, which also sailed as the Thomas F. Patton. I believe the ship in the photo is the Tom M. Girdler. Do any of the experts agree? Disagree?
Several experts have weighed in with their opinions! Please click here to view their informative comments and learn if they agree or disagree that the Mystery Ship is the Tom M. Girdler! If you would like to see a color photo of the Tom M. Girdler that was taken by Tom Manse in the 1960’s, please click here.
Special thanks to The Rock who believes the ship behind the purported Tom. M. Girdler is the Lethbridge.
posted by Ookpik at 10:13 AM
9 Comments:
The stack markings and the ship itself looked very familiar. I've been waiting to dig out one of my older "Know Your Ships" from my basement, but now that you given us some possibilities, I recognize it as a Republic Steel vessel. I'm going to guess it's the Patton. Seems I've seen that one more than any other in these parts.
I'd say it is the GIRDLER. She was the only one I recall that had that distinctive white band running the length of her hull, and the photos I took ( post cards too) don't show that band on either of the sister ships.
By the way, behind the GIRDLER, you see one of the old Canada Steamship canalers. I would venture to say that it is the old LETHBRIDGE.
Hi Mike and Rock!
Thanks for all the information. I feel that ship is the Tom M. Girdler but we will probably never know for sure. Thanks again for your comments.
That picture could be any one of the three C-4s. They all had the white stripe when they first came out, and later on around 1959 or so the stripe disappeared. I sailed on the Girdler in the early 60's.
My Dad was a cook on the Tom M. Girdler.
I served as an oiler on the Tom Girdler in the late fall of 1957 and until September in 1958. This ship sand after they retired it when they were towing it to Japan I believe.
I sailed on the Girdler in 1971. Cleveland-Cliffs took over the charter of almost all the Republic fleet the next year, although the Snyder and Boyer still had Republic colors in '72. You might note the large forward superstructure. The three sister ships had luxurious passenger quarters on them including four staterooms, a glass staircase leading down to a lounge and their own galley. We never did take on passengers, but during a blistering hot spell in South Chicago at the lower Republic Steel dock - where the hewletts were breaking down and extending our stay-, Captain Auterson let us enjoy the air conditioned comforts of the passenger quarter. There was some exceptional artwork in the lounge. I often wonder what happened to it (and for that matter, all the beautiful brasswork from all the ships that went to the breakers).
MY TWIN BROTHER SAILED ON THE TOM GIRDLER IN 69-70, ONE OF THE THREE SISTERS.
Thanks for this blogg post
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