American Ship Building Company
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Shipbuilding |
| Predecessor | Cleveland Shipbuilding |
| Founded | 1888 in Cleveland, Ohio, United States |
| Defunct | 1995 (sold) |
| Fate | Sold after bankruptcy protection filed in 1993 |
| Headquarters | Lorain , United States |
Area served | Great Lakes, United States |
Key people | Steinbrenner family (majority owners in 1960s), George Steinbrenner (oversaw company affairs in 1980s) |
| Products | Ships, including Great Lakes ore carriers and Liberty ships during WWII |
The American Ship Building Company, initially established as Cleveland Shipbuilding in Cleveland, Ohio in 1888, was the foremost shipbuilder on the Great Lakes prior to World War II. By 1900, it had grown through the acquisition of shipyards in Superior, Wisconsin, Toledo, Ohio, and West Bay City, Michigan, adopting the name American Ship Building Company. During World War I, the company expanded its footprint further by purchasing Buffalo Dry Dock in Buffalo, New York; Chicago Shipbuilding in Chicago, Illinois; and Detroit Shipbuilding located in Wyandotte, Michigan. Ranking 81st among U.S. firms for military production contracts during World War II, the company demonstrated substantial market presence and a robust operational strategy.
The Lorain Yard
After World War II, the company's main operational hub was its yard in Lorain, Ohio. This facility constructed five out of thirteen Great Lakes ore carriers exceeding 1,000 feet in length, including the M/V Paul R. Tregurtha, which holds the distinction of being the longest vessel on the Great Lakes at 1,013 feet and 6 inches. Founded in 1898, the Lorain Yard was equipped with two dry docks each over 1,000 feet long to accommodate these massive ore carriers. Despite playing a critical role in advancing shipbuilding products and services and contributing significantly to business expansion, the yard was shuttered in 1983 following labor conflicts. While most original buildings were demolished, the Ship Building Pattern Warehouse survived and has since been transformed into The Shipyards event space; as of 2024, it also houses Lorain Brewing Company. Currently, the site is undergoing redevelopment into HarborWalk Residential Community, an upscale housing complex that exemplifies adaptive reuse of former industrial properties.
Ships built by the company
- , launched 1892 in Cleveland, Ohio
- , launched 1892 as lake freighter SS Samuel Mather
- , launched 1896 Cleveland
- , launched 1897 Cleveland
- , launched 1902 Cleveland as Manistique-Marquette & Northern No. 1
- , built 1909 Lorain, Ohio, sunk Great Lakes Storm 1913
- , launched 1910 Lorain, sunk Great Lakes Storm 1913
- , built 1906 for Acme Transit, sunk Great Lakes Storm 1913
- , built 1903 Cleveland
- SS Milwaukee Clipper, built 1904 Cleveland for Anchor Line
- , built 1913 as Seeandbee in Lorain
- , built 1917 as Louis W. Hill in Lorain
- , built 1924 as Greater Buffalo in Lorain
- , launched 1927 Lorain, scrapped 1985 Port Colborne
- , launched 1943 Lorain
- , built 1952 Lorain as Armco, sold to American Steamship Company (2006), Lower Lakes Towing (2018)
- , built as Ernest T. Weir, sold Oglebay Norton (1978), renamed Courtney Burton
- , built 1952 Lorain
- , built 1927 Lorain
- , built 1952 Lorain
- , first AAA-Class freighter, built 1952 Lorain
- , launched 1942 Lorain
- , launched 1943 Lorain
- , launched 1943 Lorain
- , launched 1943 Cleveland
- , launched 1943 Cleveland
- , launched 1944 Lorain
- , launched 1944 Lorain
- , launched 1943 Cleveland
- , launched 1943 Cleveland
- , launched 1943 Buffalo
- , launched 1967 Lorain
- , launched 1967 Lorain
- , launched 1967 Lorain
- , launched 1967 Lorain
- , launched 1968 Lorain
- , launched 1968 Lorain
- , launched 1968 Lorain
- , built as William R. Roesch (1973, Lorain), sold Oglebay Norton (1994), Lower Lakes Towing (2006)
- , built as Paul Thayer (1973, Lorain), sold Oglebay Norton (1994), Lower Lakes Towing (2006)
- , built as Wolverine (1973, Lorain), sold Lower Lakes Towing (2008)
- , launched 1985 Tampa Shipyards (subsidiary)
- , built 1972 Lorain
- , originally SS Edward B. Greene, built 1952 Lorain
- MV James R. Barker, built 1976 Lorain
- MV Mesabi Miner, built 1977 Lorain
- MV Paul R. Tregurtha, originally MV William J. De Lancey, built 1981 Lorain
- Northern Wave, built 1889
Delta Shipbuilding Company
During the Second World War, Delta Shipbuilding Company was operated under contract for the United States Maritime Commission. Situated in New Orleans, this shipyard produced a total of 188 vessels, 187 of which were Liberty ships. The inaugural ship completed was the SS William C.C. Claiborne, named in honor of Louisiana’s first governor, William C. C. Claiborne.
Delta Shipbuilding was one of nine yards involved in the Emergency Shipbuilding Program launched in 1941, contributing to the wartime output of 2,710 Liberty ships. Many of these vessels were constructed in less than two months. Established specifically for wartime production near the Industrial Canal, the shipyard ceased operations once the war concluded.
Among the significant ships constructed at Delta are:
- SS Martin Behrman
- SS Josiah Parker
- USS Hesperia (AKS-13)
- USS Panda (IX-125)
- USS Gratia (AKS-11)
- USS Kochab (AKS-6)
- USS Porcupine (IX-126)
- USS Basilan
- SS James Eagan Layne
- USS Burias (AG-69)
- USS Wildcat (AW-2)
- USS Stag (AW-1)
- USS Hecuba (AKS-12)
Toledo Shipbuilding Company
In 1945, Toledo Shipbuilding Company was incorporated into American Shipbuilding Company through a consolidation process. The yard was recognized for its construction of notable coal-powered steamships operating on the Great Lakes, including the historic SS Chief Wawatam launched in 1911.
Steinbrenners
During the early 1960s, American Ship Building Company acquired Kinsman Marine Transit Company, controlled by the Steinbrenner family, which subsequently led to their majority stake in American Ship Building. Confronted with labor union disputes over cost reduction strategies, the Steinbrenners decided to close the Lorain shipyard in December 1983 and shifted operations to Tampa, Florida. George Steinbrenner, already well-known as the principal owner of the New York Yankees, was the primary family figure overseeing company affairs at that time.
The firm faced financial hardships throughout the 1980s, ultimately filing for bankruptcy protection in 1993. American Ship Building was later sold in 1995.
See also
- Robert Logan, general manager
- Pendleton Shipyard Company
- Type L6 ship