SS William H. Donner
An early photograph of the William H. Donner | |
| History | |
|---|---|
| United States | |
| Name |
|
| Namesake | |
| Operator |
|
| Port of registry | United States, Fairport, Ohio |
| Builder | Great Lakes Engineering Works, Ashtabula, Ohio |
| Yard number | 134 |
| Launched | May 7, 1914 |
| In service | July 7, 1914 |
| Out of service | 2018 |
| Identification |
|
| Fate | Scrapped in 2021 |
| Notes | The Donner was built to replace the Charles S. Price which was lost in the Great Lakes Storm of 1913 |
| General characteristics | |
| Tonnage |
|
| Length | 524 ft (160 m) |
| Beam | 54 ft (16 m) |
| Height | 30 ft (9.1 m) |
| Installed power | 2× Scotch marine boilers |
| Propulsion | 1,900 horsepower triple expansion steam engine |
The William H. Donner was an American Great Lakes freighter that was built in 1914 by the Great Lakes Engineering Works of Ashtabula, Ohio for service on the Great Lakes of North America. She was used to transport bulk cargoes such as iron ore, coal, grain and occasionally limestone. She operated from 1914 as a bulk carrier to 1970 when she was converted to a floating crane ship with two cranes. In order to facilitate better maintenance most of the ship's superstructure was eventually removed. It remained in service until 2016, when it was deemed obsolete to requirements. In 2020, the vessel, which consisted of only the hull and minus the cranes, was finally sold for scrap. It was towed on December 17 from Marinette Wisconsin to the Purvis Scrap Yard in Soo, Ontario Canada above the Soo Locks. The dismantling process most likely began sometime in early 2021, marking the end of the 107 year old vessel.