MV American Courage explained

MV American Courage is a diesel-powered lake freighter owned and operated by Grand River Navigation. This vessel was built in 1979 at Bay Shipbuilding Company, Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin and included self-unloading technology.

The ship is 635feet long and 68feet wide, with a carrying capacity of at midsummer draft. The vessel carries a variety of cargoes including limestone, coal or iron ore.

History

The ship was built for Oglebay Norton Corporation in 1979 and named Fred R. White, Jr. for the company's former vice president and director. As Fred R. White, Jr., the vessel made its first voyage in May 1979 to on-load iron ore at Escanaba, Michigan. American Steamship Company acquired American Courage in 2006. On December 17, 2015 the end of the shipping season, American Courage was put into long term layup. The vessel re-entered service on April 12, 2019. On November 7, 2023, the ship ran aground on the St. Clair River.[1] She was refloated later that same day. [2]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Jack . Nissen . American Courage freighter runs aground in St. Clair River . FOX 2 Detroit . 7 November 2023 . 8 November 2023.
  2. Web site: Tug crew frees American Courage, freighter that ran aground in St. Clair River . United States Coast Guard News . 7 November 2023 . 8 November 2023.