Bay Shipbuilding Delivers Bulk Carrier M / V Buffalo To American Steamship Company

The M/V Buffalo, newest addition to the American Steamship Company's (ASC) Great Lakes fleet, was christened on August 2 in Sturgeon Bay, Wis. The $25- million, 635-foot carrier was named in honor of Buffalo, N.Y., ASC's home port city. ASC is a subsidiary of GATX Corporation, Chicago, 111.

Mrs. James J. Glasser, wife of the president of GATX Corporation, was the Buffalo's sponsor.

She highlighted the colorful event when she shattered a bottle of New York State champagne on the ship's bow, accompanied by band music and applause from a large crowd of spectators.

James D. Griffin, Mayor of the City of Buffalo, was the principal speaker at the ceremony, which was held in the yard of the Bay Shipbuilding Corporation, a subsidiary of The Manitowoc Company, Inc. As part of his remarks, Mayor Griffin stated: "With the help of the shipping industry, the Great Lakes will combine to play a vital and prominent role in the lives of the residents of Buffalo and other major cities. Such a partnership will make our respective voyages both safe and successful." Following the christening, dignitaries and guests, who included government and corporate officials and their families, attended a luncheon at the Leathern Smith Lodge in Sturgeon Bay.

The Buffalo's flexible design enables her to carry iron ore pellets, coal, and other bulk commodities.

Her 635-foot length—slightly longer than two football fields— will permit the ship to use port and dock facilities that would be inaccessible to larger carriers.

The vessel has a 68-foot beam and a midsummer draft of 27 feet 11 inches. She has an unloading rate of 6,600 long tons of iron ore pellets an hour, and a capacity of 24,000 long tons of iron ore pellets.

Her two diesels will provide 7,000 shaft horsepower, and will enable the Buffalo to transport cargoes at a service speed of 15.5 miles per hour.

The ship is the seventh new carrier to enter service since 1973 in ASC's current building program.

This has added 250,000 long tons of new capacity to the ASC fleet, which now totals 20 vessels.

The company has been headquartered in Buffalo since 1907, and both it and the city have been major contributors to the growth of commerce on the Great Lakes.

GATX provides major financial services worldwide, including the leasing of aircraft, railcars, barges, offshore drilling equipment and other capital assets; owns and operates fleets of oceangoing and Great Lakes vessels, as well as bulk liquid terminal facilities; engages in banking, insurance and real estate and construction financing; and manufactures heavy industrial and transportation equipment.

Maritime Reporter Magazine, page 47, Sep 1978

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Maritime Reporter

First published in 1881 Maritime Reporter is the world's largest audited circulation publication serving the global maritime industry.