On this day March 10, 1973, the CHARLES E. WILSON was launched in Sturgeon Bay, Wis., by the Bay Shipbuilding Corp. for the Franklin Steamship Co. of Buffalo (a subsidiary of Boland & Cornelius, a subsidiary of American Steamship Company). The WILSON would go on to become the fourth vessel named JOHN J. BOLAND. (550954) built 1973 (2000- ); (266270) built 1953 (1953-1999); (202087) built 1905 (1939-1953); (204563) built 1907 (1907-1937).
Named for Charles Erwin Wilson (1890-1961) who was president of General Motors from 1941 until January 1953 when he resigned to become Secretary of Defense, a position he held until October 1957.
The WILSON was the first of ten vessels built for American Steamship Company under Title XI of the Merchant Marine Act of 1970 at a cost of $13.7million. US shipping companies were able to build or modernize their fleets by receiving guaranteed government financing and tax deferred benefits under this Act.
The WILSON was 666.8 feet in length by 78 feet in beam. Her 22 hatches fed into 6 holds making her capable of carrying 33,800 tons. She had a rated service speed of 13 knots.
Photo at top of page: Aerial view of CHARLES E. WILSON when new, September 1973
On September 6, 1973, the WILSON had her sea trials and on the 9th she held an open house which was attended by over 10,000 people. On September 20th she left on her maiden voyage bound for Escanaba to load ore.
In 1978 the WILSON was officially transferred to the American Steamship Company.
JOHN J. BOLAND with a deck load of coal for unloading at Zug Island, Dearborn, MI, April 22, 1995 – Craig Olson photo.
On January 4, 2000, the WILSON arrived in Superior’s Fraser Shipyard for winter layup and very soon was sporting the name JOHN J. BOLAND on her hull. On March 29th the BOLAND took her first cargo at the Lake Superior & Ishpeming dock in Marquette.
JOHN J. BOLAND at Bay Ship, Sturgeon Bay, WI, January 2002 – John Wilterding photo.
On June 19, 2004, the BOLAND delivered the last load of coal to the WE Energies Power Plant in Port Washington. She unloaded 19,000 tons of coal and ended 70 years of coal deliveries by water. The plant was then converted to natural gas.
JOHN J. BOLAND entering Milwaukee under the Hoan Bridge – Chuck Sterba photo
The JOHN J. BOLAND still sails for the American Steamship Company.
Suzette Lopez
Photo Credit: Great Lakes Marine Collection of the Wisconsin Marine Historical Society and Milwaukee Public Library.
