On this day July 11, 1921, the sandsucker AMERICAN was launched by the Manitowoc Ship Building Corp. for the American Sand & Gravel Co. of Michigan City, Indiana.  Her construction and repair jobs on the steamers in winter layup, kept nearly 1,500 men busy in the shipyard until spring 1921. 

         Photo at top of page: AMERICAN sailing for American Sand & Gravel Co.

            The AMERICAN measured 212 feet overall, 42 feet in beam and 20 feet in depth.  She was equipped with two Scotch marine boilers and a 750 horse power engine.  “Moving picture operators” came from Chicago to photograph the launching and the christening.

  AMERICAN in Milwaukee 1940 sailing for Marine Transit Co.

   AMERICAN in Manitowoc, May 12, 1946, sailing for Marine Transit Co.

            The AMERICAN had a career spanning 60 years with Chicago as her home port.  Her owners were American Sand & Gravel Co. (1921-1945), Marine Transit Co. (1946-1957) and Construction Aggregates Corp (1958-1980). 

   AMERICAN sailing for Construction Aggregates Corporation

    AMERICAN in Kewaunee, Wis., dated September 1972.

In March of 1983 she was reported to have sank in Lake Calumet after a partial scrapping.  At that time, she was obstructing vessel traffic.

Suzette Lopez

This story was originally posted July 11, 2024.