Jupiter Explosion Article in Today's Boatnerd News

[JohnH]

Here is a link to some great video of that fire:

http://www.mlive.com/news/bay-city/inde ... h_ann.html

[William Lafferty]

The engines of the Jupiter, as well as a number of other propulsion components, ended up in the tug Maurania III, built 2004 at Fall River, Massachusetts, by and for the Providence Steamboat Company of Providence, Rhode Island. The engines in question are twin EMD 16-645-E2s. McAllister Towing and Transportation Co., Inc., acquired Providence in 2006 and the tug runs for them between Philadelphia and New England.

[Guest]

The "Today in Great Lakes History" states that

Her engines were removed and shipped to New Bedford, Massachusetts, for future use.

Does anyone know what happened to her engines?

[Jon Paul]

I have over 2 dozen great pics my late father Paul Michaels took of the whole event. Unfortunately due to my work schedule of 14 hours a day/7 days a week till my hotel closes I can't scan and post them till after Nov. 1st. It will be one of my first projects to post them in the News Photo Gallery as a Historical Perspective.

[wlbblw]

The John O Greenwood book "Fleet History Series" on Cleveland Tankers covers this pretty well.

[Guest]

Yes, the Buffalo was found liable, due to speeding. As a matter of fact, the court found that she had a reputation for speeding in the Saginaw River. At the same time, the pilings at the Total Petroleum dock that Jupiter was tied up to, were rotted.

See this link for the Appeals Court decision:

http://openjurist.org/67/f3d/1200/cleve ... st-v-mussa

[DocF]

I have not gone back and researched as I am busy and lazy, but I believe there was enough blame to pass around to all involved. The Buffalo got nailed for passing too close and at excessive speed. The Jupiter for not mooring correctly and not monitoring the unload properly. Total got nailed for poor dock maintenance and not properly monitoring the unloading. It still amazes me that there were not more fatalities.

[William Lafferty]

Was the M/V Buffalo found liable in this casualty?

Well, about everybody was. Have fun reading this.

http://openjurist.org/67/f3d/1200/cleve ... st-v-mussa

[hayhugh3]

As stated in the article:
"A federal investigation ultimately found Total Petroleum Co. responsible for the fire because of faulty moorings. Throughout the investigation, some officials alleged the Buffalo was traveling at too high of a speed, causing a wake and suction that pulled the Jupiter away from its moorings"

[Wawatam]

Was the M/V Buffalo found liable in this casualty?

According to this article (link included below) from the Marine Historical Society of Detroit, ”…. Coast Guard investigation determined a number of deficiencies including rotted pilings and improper ship passing procedures when discharging flammable cargoes. The National Transportation Safety Board ruled on October 29, 1991 that Total Petroleum was responsible for the fire because of faulty moorings and exonerated the BUFFALO from primary responsibility.”

http://www.mhsd.org/publications/a&f2/jupiter.htm

[Darryl]

Was the M/V Buffalo found liable in this casualty?