On this day August 27, 1910, the steel steamer WILLIAM B. DICKSON was launched at Ecorse, Mich., by the Great Lakes Engineering Works. Built for the Pittsburgh Steamship Company she measured 600 feet over all in length, 58.2 feet in beam and 33.2 feet in depth. Named in honor of the first vice-president of the U S Steel Corporation, she was christened by his daughter Miss Emma Young Dickson of New York.
The DICKSON was the second of three freighters built at the Ecorse yard for the Pittsburgh Steamship Co. Launched previously was the WILLIAM J. OLCOTT and launched a few weeks later was the WILLIAM P. PALMER.
The steamer PLEASURE was chartered to take the launching party to the ship yard where over 300 spectators viewed the successful launch. The launching party was then entertained with lunch at the Detroit Club where Pittsburgh’s president Harry Coulby was the toastmaster and Mr. Dickson spoke briefly “upon industrial affairs.” The luncheon was followed by an automobile trip throughout the parks before Mr. Dickson’s return to New York.
WILLIAM B. DICKSON, June 1938
WILLIAM B. DICKSON, date unknown
The DICKSON sailed for the Pittsburgh Steamship Company and US Steel until 1968. After being idle for a while, she was sold to the Kinsman Fleet and refitted, along with the WILLIAM J. OLCOTT. The DICKSON was renamed MERLE M. McCURDY in 1969. Below is a news worthy write up from the Milwaukee Journal of December 3, 1968, regarding McCurdy.
“The first Great Lakes ship believed to be named for a Negro is scheduled for service next summer. The MERLE M. McCURDY, a 601 foot bulk carrier, is being reconditioned at a Lorain, Ohio, shipyard following its purchase by Kinsman Marine Transit Co., Vermilion, Ohio, from the United States Steel Corp.
“McCurdy, who died of a heart attack last summer, was chairman of the United States Consumer Council in Washington, DC. An attorney, he had served as chief legal adviser to the national advisory commission on civil disorders (the Kerner commission) and as United States attorney in Cleveland.
“McCurdy’s father and grandfather had been seamen on Great Lakes freighters. McCurdy himself financed his way through college and law school by working as a part time seaman. Reporter James W. McCulla “
The MERLE M. McCURDY in the Neebish Channel of the St. Marys River, September 1980, photo by Bob Campbell
The McCURDY sailed until November 1985 when she laid up in Buffalo. In December 1987, she departed Buffalo under tow of the tug OHIO for Ashtabula and eventual scrapping. Early spring of 1988 there was great interest in preserving her woodwork and other parts. The following is Lake Log Chips May 14th, June 11th and October 1st detailed reporting of the end of this historical ship.
“…the E.P.A. has ordered a halt to the scrapping of MERLE M. MCCURDY because of asbestos…she will probably be towed to Canada for scrapping.”
“The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency on May 13 [1988] received a court order which stopped Triad Salvage’s demolition of MERLE M. MCCURDY at Ashtabula. As a result, Columbia Iron & Metal Co. of Cleveland has applied to the Maritime Administration for permission to sell MCCURDY to International Marine Salvage for scrapping at Port Colborne.”
“…as of Sept. 11 [1988] at Port Colborne, MERLE M. MCCURDY was more than half gone – cut down to the waterline from amidships aft.”
Suzette Lopez
Photo Credit: Great Lakes Marine Collection of the Milwaukee Public Library and Wisconsin Marine Historical Society.
