The seventh of thirteen self unloading 1,000-footers built; launched as the George A. Stinson, she was the only one to enter service for the National Steel Corp., Cleveland, OH. The bow and stern sections were completed at American Ship Building Co., Lorain, OH as hull #907 with the mid-body being built at American Ship Building’s Toledo, OH yard and towed to Lorain on November 15, 1977. The new self unloader was launched July 15, 1978 with formal christening ceremonies being held August 21, 1978 at Detroit, MI. Named in honor of National Steel Company’s Chairman of the Board at the time, Mr. Stinson dedicated the vessel to the city of Detroit and to the people and industry supporting National Steel’s Great Lakes Steel Division on Zug Island. Sailing under the management of Hanna Mining Co., the George A. Stinson departed on her maiden voyage October 14, 1978 in ballast to Superior, WI to load iron ore pellets for Zug Island, Detroit, MI. Not only was the George A. Stinson the only “1,000-footer” in the National Steel fleet, it was the fleet’s first self unloader. The other members of the fleet in 1978 were all straight deck bulk carriers, namely the George M. Humphrey (2), Leon Falk Jr., and the Paul H. Carnahan.
