Boatnerd Discussion Forum

A small correction to an earlier post: the GT of the Morris-Brock was 107.6 (obviously).

Thank you for the information on ferry Morris Brock. Her sistership Elmer W Jones is rotting away on the western shore of Newfoundland.

The [i]Morris-Brock [/i]was designed by Eads Johnson and built in 1945 by Stadium Boat Works, Cleveland, OH. She was intended to replace the larger, war-requisitioned [i]Elmer W. Jones [/i]on the run between Brockville ON and Morristown NY, and ran there in 1945 and part of 1946, but became redundant when the [i]Jones/Colington [/i]was released by the government and was re-purchased. The [i]Morris-Brock [/i]was sold to Cie Anonima "Translacustre" for service on Lake Maracaibo in Venezuela in 1946 and was delivered to the new owners late that year or in early 1947. As was cited, the [i]Jones [/i]was sold Canadian in 1953, and vehicular transport between Morristown and Brockville ceased at the end of that year.

As far as I know, dimensions of the vessels cited are correct, though Morristown, not Ogdensburg, was the [i]Jones's[/i] port of registry, and was inscribed as such on the vessel.

I got to the library today and proved myself wrong. The ship was built and first shows up in the 1946 annual Merchant Vessels of the United States. ON 247742, Morris Brock, 1076 Gross tons, 50 net tons, 59.5 by 29.5 by 8.0, built in 1945 in Cleveland, Ohio, ferry, 2 crew, 180 hp. Shows as the Brockville and Morristown Ferry Company's only vessel in 1946. In 1947 it lists the Morris Brock and the Elmer W. Jones. The 1948 MVUS shows only the Elmer W. Jones and lists the Morris Brock as sold Venezuelan. The Elmer W. Jones was sold Canadian in 1953.

Was it actually built? The only reference I found (after a brief search) was this mention of specifications drawn up by a naval architect in 1945 [url]http://library.mysticseaport.org/Manuscripts/coll/coll082.cfm[/url]

The following links give a brief history of the Brockville and Morristown Ferry Co. One link mentions that service was suspended during WWII after the one ferry was requisitioned, while the other link lists numerous vessels that were used and the Morris Brock is not mentioned.

[url]http://www.watertowndailytimes.com/article/20100808/ADV01/308089914[/url]

[url]http://www.mpcourier.com/article/20100815/ADV01/308159916/-1/dco[/url]


The 1950 edition of the Merchant Vessels of the United States lists the Elmer W. Jones as the only vessel owned by the Brockville & Morristown Ferry Co. (US 225543, steel hull, oil screw, 277 GT, 188 NT, 117.2' by 37.2' by 9.2', built Groton, CT in 1926, 300 hp, 3 person crew, home port Ogdensburg) No listing for the Morris Brock, either under that name or another.

Tim Colton's shipbuilding site mentions that the Elmer W. Jones was built by New London Ship and Engine, was requisitioned on June 8, 1943 and served as YFB-43, the Colington.

I'm just wondering if the ferry company paid to have a new ferry designed but never built it because their requisitioned vessel was returned after the war.

Would like to know more information on the ferry Morris-Brock that ran from Morristown N.Y. to Brockville, ON. All I have is she is about 65 feet and built in '45. anyone know shipyard, disposition etc.? Thanks!