Page 14: of Maritime Reporter Magazine (January 15, 1969)

National Steel Launches Second LST? Lays Keel For Another In 17-Ship Program Dignitaries at the launch-keel laying ceremonies included, left to right: Rear Adm. Richard R. Pratt, USN, commander, Amphibious Training Command; Capt. John M. Oanielsen, USN, force chaplain, Amphibious Force Pacific Fleet; Rear Adm. William W. Behrens Jr., USN, commander, Amphibious Group One; Robert H. Michel, congress-man; Robert Lehnhausen, mayor of Peoria, III.; Rear Adm. Gayle T. Martin, USNR, representing commander, Naval Ship Systems Command; Miss Laurie Michel, maid of honor; Mrs. Michel, sponsor, and John V. Banks, Nassco executive vice-president. The USS Peoria (LST-1183), a new design tank landing ship was launched recently from the ways of National Steel and Shipbuilding Company, San Diego, Calif. With-in minutes after the Peoria was launched a keel section was laid for a sistership, the USS Tusca-loosa. Mrs. Robert H. Michel, wife of Illinois' Representative Robert H. Michel, was the new ship's sponsor. Her daughter, Miss Laurie Michel, served as maid of honor. The main speaker at the launch-ing was Rear Adm. Richard R. Pratt, USN, commander, Amphibi-ous Training Command. Others participating included Capt. John M. Danielsen, USN, force chaplain, Amphibious Force, Pacific Fleet; John V. Banks, Nassco executive vice-president, and John M. Mur-phy, Nassco vice-president, sales. Immediately following the launching, Rear Adm. William W. Behrens Jr., USN, commander, Amphibious Group One, laid the keel for a sister LST, the USS Tuscaloosa. The USS Peoria slides down the ways and into the water at recent Nassco launching. The new design LSTs, unlike earlier ones, will have destroyer type bows. Vehicles may be load-ed or off-loaded over the bow by means of a 112-foot-long one-piece, aluminum landing ramp that ex-tends forward and lowers on a pon-toon causeway or a beach, depend-ing on water depth and beach gra-dient. When stowed the ramp rests on the main deck forward between guide tracks attached to the in-board side of two permanently in-stalled derrick arms protruding over the bow. A stern ramp?which also serves as a watertight stern closure when retracted?is designed to launch or retrieve amphibian craft from the open sea. It can also be put to use as a vehicular bridge between the ship and various utili-ty landing crafts (LCUs) or a pier. The 522-foot vessels will also be faster, brawnier, and more beach efficient than their predecessors. Propulsion will be provided by six diesel engines developing a total of 16,000 shp. The Peoria is the second in a series of 17 new tank landing ships started under a $250-million Navy contract with Nassco. Vernitron Acquires Two Shipping Firms Vernitron Corporation has agreed in principle to acquire all the out-standing stock of Commerce Tank-ers Corporation and Empire Ship Agents and Brokers Inc., it has been announced. Among other as-sets, the companies operate two American-flag tankers carrying oil and grain cargoes. The shareholders will receive about $10-million in Vernitron com-mon stock for the two companies, according to the announcement. Commerce and Empire will con-tinue to operate under present management as a wholly-owned subsidiary of Vernitron. The prin-cipal shareholder of the two ship firms is Milton Philalas, who is al-so president of Commerce Tank-ers. Butterworth System Elects H. R. DeWitt Vice-President-Sales The board of directors of Butter-worth System, Incorporated, Ba-yonne, N.J., has elected Harland R. DeWitt to the office of vice-presi-dent-sales. Mr. DeWitt will continue to serve as sales manager of the Ma-rine Sales Department of Esso In-ternational, Inc. He has accepted his new office in order to assist Butterworth in the introduction of a wide range of newly developed marine operation and maintenance products worldwide to dry cargo, passenger and tanker fleets. Butterworth System, Inc. and its affiliate in the United Kingdom, J. G. Edmiston & Co., Ltd., is well-known for such products as the Butterworth (SEREP) oil/water separator; the Lav-Jet; their Type "K" and "Super K" tank cleaning machines and the "SCAMP" (Sub-merged Cleaning and Maintenance Platform). Todd Acquiring Engineering Firm Todd Shipyards Corporation has announced agreement in principle, to acquire Designers & Planners, Inc., New York, a naval architec-tural and marine engineering con-cern specializing in the design of containerships and oceanographic research vessels. John T. Gilbride, president of Todd, said the additional capability represented by Designers & Plan-ners would be needed in Todd's day-to-day operations and expected construction and conversion pro-grams. He added that Designers & Plan-ners, which has offices in New York and in Galveston, would con-tinue to operate independently and serve all segments of the maritime industry. Jeffboat Names Toupin Director Of Personnel Leo R. Toupin Leo R. Toupin has been named director of personnel for Jeffboat, Inc., Jeffersonville, Ind., R. W. Naye, president of the company, has announced. A native of Canada, Mr. Toupin received his degree in administra-tion and engineering practices be-fore coming to the United States. After a venture in professional hockey with the Toronto Maple Leaf Organization, he was em-ployed by the Celanese Corpora-tion's Canadian subsidiary?Cana-dian Chemical Corporation. Prior to joining Jeffboat in 1967 as assistant director of personnel, he was the labor relations and safety supervisor for Titanium Metals Corporation in Henderson, Nev. Jeffboat is an integral part of the Inland Waterways Services Divi-sion of Texas Gas Transmission Corporation. Naess Shipping Names Two Vice-Presidents The Naess Shipping Company, Inc. of New York, N.Y., has an-nounced the appointments of H. E. Petersen as vice-president in charge of the Bulk Carrier Depart-ment and S. A. Jensen as vice-president in charge of the Tanker Department. SAN FRANCISCO MARITIME LEADERS happily acknowledge their election as the 1969 officers of the San Francisco Boy Region Marine Exchange, left to right: Robert E. Mayer, re-elected president, (Pacific Coast sales manager of Todd Shipyards Corp.); Rae F. Watts, treasurer (San Francisco Port director); Chr. Blom, first vice-president (president of Overseas Shipping Co.); Edward D. Ransom, second vice-president (partner, Lillick, McHose, Wheat, Adams and Charles), and E. L. Bargones, third vice-president (president, Transpacific Transportation Co.). Robert H. Langner will continue to serve as secretary and manager. The maritime leaders will guide the service and development programs of the 120-year-old Exchange, including operation of its shipping intelligence and navigational center, 'red tape' cutting efforts, and channel and harbor improvements. 16 Maritime Reporter/Engineering News