WILKINSON, HORACE S.

Registry and Rig Information

Name WILKINSON, HORACE S.
Registry U.S.
Official Number 215122
Rig Propeller

Dimensions and Tonnage

Length 588.25
Width 60.00
Depth 27.00
Gross Tonnage 8338.00
Net Tonnage 6829.00
Hull Material Steel
Hull Number 00137

Vessel History

Rebuilds Converted to barge by Fraser-Nelson Shipbuilding & Dry Dock Co., Superior, WI; winter, 1962-1963 (535.66 x 60 x 27; 7598 gross - 7398 net).
History As HORACE S. WILKINSON: In collision with steamer WILLIAM B. SCHILLER near Point Iroquois, Lake Superior, in fog; June 3, 1923. Former suffered $15,000 loss; latter, $135,000.In collision with steamer CAROL LAKE in Welland Canal, September 14, 1962. Was towed to Superior after this for conversion to barge.
As WILTRANCO I: Sank in Black Rock Channel, on way to Tonawanda, NY, Niagara River, after striking obstruction, June 30, 1967. Raised to next day and taken to American Ship Building Co., Lorain, OH, for repairs.
Blown ashore 5 1/2 miles east of Sturgeon Point, Lake Erie, October 26, 1967, after snapping hawser in eight-foot waves. Refloated by another gale on October 28, 1967, and driven ashore two-three miles further east, off Hamburg, NY. Abandoned as constructive total loss and removed from documentation, March, 1968. Sold at public auction to Salvage Systems, Inc., Akron, OH, who defaulted on bond. Resold to second bidder, Great Lakes Marine Salvage Corp., Buffalo, NY, who also failed at salvage attempts. Released in October, 1969, by Clyde Van Enkevort, and taken to Lorain, OH; then removed to Detroit for repairs to hull and machinery. Placed back in service in 1970.
In tow of tug OLIVE L. MOORE, snapped towline on Lake Huron, downbound with ore, September 15, 1970. Later, with lighter towline, remote steering went out; MOORE joined by tug JOHN PURVES. Broke loose in fog and grounded at south end of Livingston Channel, Detroit River, September 18, 1970. Released after holding up traffic several hours.
As WILTRANCO I: Broke loose from tug LEE REUBEN on October 2, 1972, and struck a seawall just above St. Clair Police Post, St. Clair River, damaging wall.
Grounded in Amherstburg Channel, Detroit River, November 29, 1972, when towing tug LEE REUBEN, lost steerage. Released same day.
Made first trip as barge under HORACE S. WILKINSON name; downbound Soo, June 18, 1963; pushed first year by chartered tug BRIAN A. MCALLISTER.
Used for storage grain at Buffalo, NY, in 1964. Chartered late in season by Small, Inc.
Returned to service in coal trade, Toledo to Buffalo, in spring, 1967, chartered to Bulk Navigation & Towing, Inc., Cleveland, OH; pushed by tug FRANCES A. SMALL.
After repairs in 1969, placed in service in 1970, towed by tug OLIVE L. MOORE, largely in ore trade, Escanaba-Indiana Harbor. Redocumented in September/October, 1969.
Sold by U.S. Marshal's Sale, May 17, 1972, at Escanaba, MI, along with tug OLIVE L. MOORE.
Disposition Departed Escanaba, MI, August 2, 1973, in tow of tug JOHN PURVES, and joined at Port Huron on August 4 by tug BARBARA ANN, for tow to Welland. Tow taken there by tugs HELEN MCALLISTER and DANIEL MCALLISTER, and reported off Tibbitts Point, Lake Ontario, on August 15. Departed Montreal, P.Q., in tandem with J. CLARE MILLER, in tow of German tug FAIRPLAY X, on August 22, 1973, and arrived at Santander, Spain, September 21, 1973, for scrapping.

Build Information

Builder Toledo Ship Building Co.
Place Built Toledo, OH
Date Built 1917-00-00

Source

Source HCGL

Vessel Names

NameBegin DateEnd DateRegistryOfficial Number
WILTRANCO I1963-00-001973-00-00U.S.215122

Vessel Owners

NameBegin DateEnd DateRegistryOfficial Number
Great Lakes Steamship Co.1917-00-001957-00-00U.S.215122
Wilson Marine Transit Co.1957-00-001967-00-00U.S.215122
Ingalls Shipbuilding Corp. (Wilson Marine Transit Co., Mgrs.-Cleveland, OH)1967-00-001969-00-00U.S.215122
Clyde Van Enkevort (Escanaba Towing Co.)1969-00-001973-00-00U.S.215122
Industrial Fuel & Asphalt Co.1973-00-001973-00-00U.S.215122