Fall River Navigation Company
| Company type | Subsidiary |
|---|---|
| Industry | Shipping, Maritime transport |
| Founded | 1927 in Fall River, Massachusetts, United States |
| Founder | William C. Atwater & Company |
| Headquarters | Fall River , United States |
| Parent | William C. Atwater & Company |
Fall River Navigation Company was established in 1927 in Fall River, Massachusetts, functioning as a subsidiary of William C. Atwater & Company, a coal and fuel oil trading business founded by William C. Atwater in 1898. The company’s premises suffered damage during the Great Fall River fire of 1928. Fall River Navigation contributed to the efforts during World War II. In 1958, the parent company, William C. Atwater & Company, merged with the Pocahontas Fuel Company.
William C. Atwater
Born on July 4, 1861, William C. Atwater graduated from Amherst College in 1884 and became a coal sales agent with a focus on the Pocahontas Coalfield in West Virginia, which experienced significant growth throughout World War I. Between 1935 and 1950, his enterprise operated the subsidiary Atwcoal Transportation Company, which transported coal using barges; this subsidiary was renamed American Coastal Line in 1950. He was involved with the Pocahontas Producers Association from 1922 until approximately 1934. Following his passing on February 22, 1940, his sons William C. Atwater Jr. and John J. Atwater took over the business.
World War II
Throughout World War II, Fall River Navigation managed merchant vessels for the United States Shipping Board and participated in charter shipping agreements with both the Maritime Commission and War Shipping Administration. The company’s crews operated Liberty ships while United States Navy Armed Guards were responsible for manning deck guns and communication equipment, thereby supporting the logistical operations of the U.S. Merchant Navy during wartime.
Ships
The fleet of Fall River Navigation Company comprised:
- William C. Atwater, constructed in 1919 at River Rouge, Michigan by Great Lakes Engineering Works; acquired in 1927 and sold in 1936 (renamed E. J. Kulas). It was later used for target practice during wartime in 1943.
- Yankkee Star, previously known as the Liberty Ship Galen L. Stone, obtained in 1947.
- Yankke Dawn, formerly called Empire Wandle, operated between 1948 and 1949; originally built in 1935.
- Coastal Highflyer, once USS Sebastian (AK-211), bought in 1947; it ran aground near Cuba soon after purchase.
In addition to these vessels, Fall River Navigation operated several Liberty Ships during and following World War II, including:
- Galen L. Stone (operated starting in 1946, purchased in 1947)
- William H. Wilmer (operated from 1946 to 1949)
- Cecil N. Bean (operated from 1946 to 1949)