Howard L. Shaw / Mystery Ship

Who am I?

Thanks to Ted Wilush for identifying the ship on the left as the Howard L. Shaw. The ship was built by the Detroit Ship Building Company for the Eddy-Shaw Transit Company. It was launched on September 15, 1900. The Pittsburgh Steamship Company acquired the ship in 1903. In 1922, the hull was reconstructed by the Toledo Ship Building Company. In 1940, the Howard L. Shaw was sold to Upper Lakes & St. Lawrence Transportation Co. Ltd. The ship was dynamited in a labor dispute in 1963. A two foot hole was blown in the hull. The Howard L. Shaw was sold to the Toronto Harbour Commissioners in April, 1969 and sunk on July 4, 1969 to make a breakwall near Toronto. If you would like to see additional photos of the Howard L. Shaw, please click here.

Mystery Ship

Who am I?

C.H. McCullough, Jr. / Robert C. Stanley

Rich, a former crewmember of the Harry L. Allen, was kind enough to supply our latest Mystery Ships. The photo shows two ships passing in close proximity of one another and attests to the fine skill of the wheelmen. If anyone can identify the Mystery Ships, Rich would be very appreciative.

Thanks to Jim and The Rock for identifying the ship on the left as the C.H. McCullough, Jr. The ship was built for the Acme Steamship Company in 1907 and launched as the Ward Ames. The Interlake Steamship Company acquired the ship in 1913 and in 1917 they renamed her the C.H. McCullough, Jr. Her propeller was removed in 1969 and she spent the next two seasons as a barge. In 1971, the Cement Transit Company purchased the vessel, re-installed the propeller and used the ship in the general bulk trade for the next few seasons. The C.H. McCullough, Jr. was eventually scrapped in 1980. If you would like to see another photo of the C.H. McCullough, Jr., please click here.

Thanks to Eric H. for indentifying the ship on the right as the Robert C. Stanley. The ship was one of sixteen “Maritime Class” freighters that were built in 1943. She was scrapped in 1989. If you would like to see an additional photo of the Robert C. Stanley, please click here.

Mystery Ship

Who am I?

Mystery Ship

Who am I?

This is a special Mystery Ship. David, who I believe is from Ohio, sent this photo taken by his father. David states that family legend seems to indicate that his father took a lake freighter, possibly the Richard V. Lindabury, to France during World War II. To my knowledge, this cannot be possible as ships were unable to leave the Great Lakes until 1959 when the St. Lawrence Seaway was built. If anyone can identify the ship, location or shed some light on the possibility or impossibility of David's tale, it would be greatly appreciated!

Horace Johnson / Joshua A. Hatfield

Who are we?

The Horace Johnson was built by the American Ship Building Company in Lorain, Ohio and launched on June 20, 1929. The ship was built for the Pittsburgh Steamship Company. On January 1st, 1953; as a result of restructuring, the Pittsburgh Steamship Company was renamed Pittsburgh Steamship Division, U.S. Steel Corporation. The Horace Johnson and her fleet mates, including the Joshua A. Hatfield, were transferred directly to U.S. Steel Corporation. The ship last sailed until 1980 and was eventually scrapped at Thunder Bay, Ontario, in June 1984. The Joshua A. Hatfield was also built by the American Ship Building Company for the Pittsburgh Steamship Company. She was launched on January 25, 1923. The Joshua A. Hatfield plied the Great Lakes for over 50 years before making her last run in 1977. The ship was sold Hyman-Michaels Company of Duluth, Minnesota on July 1, 1984 for scrapping. She was eventually scrapped in 1988.

Mystery Ship

Who am I?

James Whalen

Who am I?

Research has identified the ship as the James Whalen. The tug was built in 1905 for the Canadian Towing & Wrecking Company of Port Arthur, Ontario who used her as an icebreaker. The ship had a long and distinguished career and made her mark in Great Lakes maritime history when on April 4, 1910 she became the first Canadian vessel to send a wireless message. The tug retired in 1992. Instead of being scrapped, the ship was returned to her original home of Port Arthur, now known as Thunder Bay. The ship was restored to her original 1905 configuration and is now a tourist attraction in Heritage Park, which located along the Kaministiquia River. If you wish to see a photo of the James Whalen as she appears today, please click here.