This L6-S-B1 design “Maritimer” class bulk freighter was built by Great Lakes Engineering Works, River Rouge (Detroit), MI at a cost of $2.2 million. The second of 16 similar vessels built for the U.S Maritime Commission during World War II, this laker was launched as the Adirondack and delivered to the Reiss Steamship Co. (part of the C. Reiss Coal Co.) on May 25, 1943. Shortly after her delivery (on May 28th), she was rechristened Richard J. Reiss (2) at the company’s home port of Sheboygan, WI. In exchange for this new tonnage, the Reiss Steamship Co. was required to turn over to the U.S. Maritime Commission older obsolete vessels. These older vessels were the steamers Richard J. Reiss (1) which was renamed Superior (3) in 1943 and the Alex B. Uhrig. Both of these vessels were scrapped shortly after the war. The Richard J. Reiss (2) was powered by a 2,500 horsepower triple expansion steam engine. The “L6-S-B1” designation meant that this was a Great Lakes vessel (L), 600-699 feet long (6), steam powered (S), particular design (B), and sub-design (1).
She continued sailing as a straight-decker for Reiss Steamship until 1964, when she was converted to a self-unloader. In addition to coal, she also carried other bulk commodities such as limestone and iron ore. On June 27, 1969, the C. Reiss Coal Co. sold all of its vessel assets to American Steamship for a price of $10.5 million. The Reiss Steamship Co. continued to operate as a separate entity until July 23, 1986, when Reiss Steamship was merged into the American Steamship Co. fleet. The Richard J. Reiss (2) was chartered to the Erie Sand Steamship Co. (managed by Erie Sand & Gravel Co., Erie, PA) in 1986, which shortened her name to Richard Reiss. Some say the name was shortened because crews believed it was unlucky for a vessel to sail with a 13- letter name. On April 13, 1994, the unloading boom collapsed while unloading in Fairport. She proceeded to Port Weller dry docks for repairs where the boom from the Hochelaga was installed. By May 14, repairs had been completed and she returned to service.
The Richard Reiss was powered by a 2,950 horsepower diesel engine (her original power plant being replaced in 1976) and is equipped with a bow thruster. Her 16 hatches fed into 6 compartments where she was capable of carrying 14,900 tons at her maximum mid-summer draft of 24′ 7″. She was equipped with a 250′ bow-mounted self-unloading discharge boom that could be swung 105 degrees to port or starboard.
On Dec. 18, 2001 the Reiss entered what was expected to be normal winter lay-up at Erie, PA. In January 2002 the Erie Sand & Gravel Co., including the Reiss, was purchased by the Oglebay Norton Co. Ships sailing in the Oglebay Norton fleet took over the routes normally served by the Reiss and the steamer remained in lay-up. As Oglebay Norton struggled through financial difficulties in 2003 and 2004 the vessel was sold to Grand River Navigation in January, 2004 for $1.8 million.
The new owners kept the Reiss name and paint scheme for the 2004 season with only the stack being painted in the Grand River Navigation colors. On December 17, 2004 the Reiss entered the Bayship graving dock at Sturgeon Bay, WI for its five-year inspection and was painted in the Lower Lakes / Grand River Navigation colors. Emerging from the drydock on Dec. 30, 2004, the Richard Reiss proceeded to Sarnia, ON where, on March 14, 2005, her new name Manistee was painted onto her hull. Of historical significance, this renaming ends an era of almost 100 years of the Reiss name appearing on the hull of a vessel on the Great Lakes.
Manistee went into long-term layup at Toledo in December 2015. On Monday, March 28, 2022 the tug Massachusetts towed Manistee from her long-time layup berth down the Maumee River on the first leg of her scrap tow. As the tow reached Grassy Island, Manistee went briefly aground but was quickly freed. The tow, handled by tug Beverly M. 1 once it reached the open lake, arrived at Marine Recycling Corporation, Port Colborne, ON, for scrapping the morning of March 30, assisted by the local tugs John D, Vac and Charlie E. the next day.
Dimensions
Length 620′ 06″ (189.13m)
Beam 60′ 03″ (18.36m)
Depth 35′ 00″ (10.67m)
Capacity 14,900
Power (diesel) 10,880 bhp