Boatnerd Discussion Forum

When the Johnstown-class were built at Sparrows Point in 1952 the limiting factor in their length-to-depth ratio (L/D) was the size of the Mississippi and Illinois river locks.

Great Lakes vessels, with their standard hatch size and spacing are relatively easy to add additional length to, as long as regulations governing section modulus and longitudinal strength can be met - usually by hull strapping

There is a technical paper on the Johnstown-class which I have yet to find online. It's called "Great Lakes Ore Carriers, "Johnstown Class," by Cashman and Erickson, Great Lakes Section, SNAME, September 1952." It may provide more insight, if any, on the designers thoughts regarding the lengthening of these vessels after their arrival and entry into service on the lakes.

Has there ever been a public release concerning any investigation into the hull fracture sustained by the Michipicoten by either (or both) the NTSB or Transport Canada. Or by the coast guards of either nation?

I seem to recall reading somewhere that this vessel sustained some hull fractures while upbound in a storm on Lake Huron back during the 1980s while sailing as the Elton Hoyt 2nd. I was wondering if either of the other two vessels of similar design built for Bethlehem Steel (Johnstown and Sparrows Point) ever had any similar issues. I know the Johnstown was removed from service in 1982 and went to scrap in 1985 due to Bethlehem commissioning three 1,000 foot vessels in conjunction with the downturn in the steel industry so it only had a 30 year career on the lakes, and if I recall correctly, it was the first US flagged laker built during the 1950s to be sold for scrap. As such, the Johnstown may not have operated long enough to have any structural issues. The Sparrows Point later became the Buckeye and then following a conversion into a barge it was renamed Lewis J. Kuber. It now sails as the Menominee. Just wondering if any of the other ships in this class ever had similar problems.

After arriving on the lakes via the Mississippi River following their construction at Sparrows Point, Maryland in 1952 all three were later lengthened to 698 feet in length with the addition of a 72-foot cargo hold section with the Hoyt being lengthened in 1957 followed by the Sparrows Point and Johnstown the following year. Were these ships designed for easy lengthening when they were built due to the size restrictions of being brought to the Great Lakes prior to the opening of the St. Lawrence Seaway?