Glasgow And Ships Of The Clyde

"Calumet" being towed to Ardrossan,drifted helplessly in Atlantic storm for four days

From "The Ardrossan & Saltcoats Herald" dated Friday 9th September 1960

Vessel towed from Montreal to Ardrossan

Drifted helplessly in Atlantic

Last Saturday evening, the 53 year-old cargo steamer "Calumet" (4000 tons) was quietly towed into Ardrossan Harbour - not an exciting event in itself, but one which was greatly anticipated by 21 seamen who had endured a harrowing voyage across the Atlantic.

The ocean tug "Masterman" of Hull, towed the vessel from Montreal and during the 31 day journey, the "Calumet" drifted helplessly in a storm and it was four days before she could be taken on tow again.

When the "Calumet," a former grain carrier, discharged her cargo of scrap at Ardrossan, she will be taken to Troon for breaking-up.
The scrap in her holds was all that was left of a sister ship which had also become obsolete and uneconomical on the Great Lakes trade, when the St. Lawrence seaway was opened.

The "Masterman," with 15 men aboard, left Montreal with the "Calumet" on tow on 3rd August.
There were six men aboard the "Calumet" and the vessels arrived at Ardrossan seven days late.

Mr John Dunlap, USA, has very kindly contributed the following particulars of "Calumet"

Record of Lake Freighter

Calumet US 204447
Owner: Lackawanna Steamship Company 1907 Year/Builder/Hull number....1907 Detroit Shipbuilding Company, Wyandotte hull 171

Pickands Mather & Company, Manager 1909

Dimensions Overall 440 x 52.16 x 29 feet

Interlake Steamship Company 1913

Engine/Hp triple expansion 22 -35 -58 x 42 1500ihp

Pickands Mather & Company, Manager

Boilers 2 Scotch @ 180psi

Cargo Carriers, Inc., Cleveland 1955

Gross/Net Tonnage 4641 / 3385

Marine Salvage Ltd. 1960
British Iron & Steel Corporation 1960

Chronology

1907 launched August 10
1913 on April 25, Lackawanna Steamship Company stockholders met and ratified the purchase of seventeen former Gilchrist Transportation Company steamers, as well as the fleets of the Mesaba, Provident, Acme and Standard Steamship companies, the Huron Barge Company and the Interlake Company, giving it a fleet of 37 steel steamers and two barges, making it the second largest fleet on the Lakes.

The fleet will be known as the Interlake Steamship Company, and will be managed by Pickands Mather & Company. The president and vice president are Henry G. Dalton and H. S. Pickands. The directors are Dalton, Pickands, Samuel Mat
her, James H. Hoyt, Moses Taylor, H. P. McIntosh and A. T. Kinney. Thirteen of the former Gilchrist steamers were renamed. The Lackawanna fleet wanted to expand its fleet because at their current level they can profitably self-insure.
1921 rebuilt with arches
1960 arrived in tow at Ardrossan, Troon, Scotland on September 3 for scrapping by the West of Scotland Shipbreaking Company

We are also greatly indebted to Mr. Ed Chaput, USA, for kindly contributing this very interesting background information on "Calumet"
Calumet.Original Name: Calumet.
Owner: Interlake Steamship Co., United States
Builder: Detroit Ship Building Co., 1907, United States, Michigan, Wyandotte
Engine Builder: Detroit Dry Dock Co., 1907, United States
Year Built: 1907
Year Engine Built: 1907
Year Built: 1907
Year Engine Built: 1907
Final Disposition: Sold for scrap in 1960 and towed to England / Italy. (Reported to be in service in Italy for short period after 1960.)
Notes: Launched on August 10, 1907.
Registry Number: US. 204447
Hull Number: 171
Vessel Type: Bulk freighter
Length: 420 ft.
Width: 52.2 ft.
Height: 29 ft.
Gross Tonnage: 4641 t.
Net Tonnage: 3385 t.
Materials: Steel
Engine Type: Triple expansion
Piston #1: 22 in.
Piston #2: 32 in.
Piston #3: 58 in.
Stroke Length: 42 in.

Ed's information is all the more remarkable as he tells that "Calumet" was sold to UK/Italy for scrapping in 1960, and was reported to be in service in Italy for a short period after 1960.

The following very fine photographs of "Calumet" were supplied by John Dunlap and Ed Chaput, both from USA, and we are greatly indebted to both men for their kindness