The American Mariner is a self-unloading bulk freighter built by Bay Shipbuilding Co., Sturgeon Bay, WI for American Steamship Co., Buffalo, NY. Although initially to have been named Chicago(3), she was launched Aug. 2, 1979 as the American Mariner. Her maiden voyage took place April 18, 1980 from Sturgeon Bay light for Escanaba, MI to load taconite pellets for Ashtabula, OH. Driving a single controllable pitch propeller are twin 3,600 horsepower V-20 GM diesel engines giving her a rated service speed of 15 m.p.h.. The American Mariner is equipped with both bow and stern thrusters. Her 7 holds are fed through 24 hatches. She is capable of carrying 37200 tons at her maximum mid-summer draft of 30 feet 11 inches. Her stern mounted self unloading system feeds a 250 foot boom that can swing 105 degrees to port or starboard and can discharge at a rate of up to 6000 tons per hour.
