Project Liberty Ship


The BROWN Goes to Toledo by Niel Schultheiss © On May 15, 2000 the Maryland based World War II Liberty Ship John W. Brown departed her dock sailing for the Toledo Ship Repair yard in Toledo, Ohio. The Liberty ships were built as part of an emergency shipbuilding program during World War II to carrying equipment and supplies. Today only two operating Liberty ships exist from a fleet that numbered 2,710. The Brown made the journey to under go rivet replacement at the only yard capable of this type of work, experienced riveting crews are not easily found on salt water. This is not the case on the Great Lakes where many riveted hulls are still in existence. The Toledo Blade reports that about 14,000 rivets will be replaced by two five man rivet crews. In addition to the rivets, the vessels propeller, bearings, and through-hull fittings will be inspected.; workers will replace zinc anodes on the hull that stem corrosion, replace some of the ship's steel plates, sandblast and repaint the hull. Crews will also build life raft quick release racks to replace ones that were removed from the vessel at the end of the War. The price tag for the work is expected to be about $700,000. After the ship yard work the vessel will tour lower lakes ports and be open for tours. In three ports the Brown will offer locals one of the vessel's famous "Living History Day Cruises." All cruises are sold out except for the cruise departing from Toronto. The Liberty ship John W. Brown arrived at the entrance to Maumee Bay in Toledo on the afternoon of May 27. She was met and escorted up the Maumee River by the Gaelic Tugboat Company tugs William Hoey and Susan Hoey. By 2:30 p.m., the Brown was safely tied up at the former Interlake Iron dock adjacent to the Toledo shipyard. Below are pictures of the Brown's journey to the Lakes Ready to depart Photos by Dave Aldworth and Brian Hope John W. Brown with steam up at her Baltimore dock. Sign on deck showing the departure time and destination Passing through the Cap Cod Canal, Massachusetts photos by Richard Jenkins John W. Brown approaching the bridges in Bourne, shot from the Massachusetts Maritime Academy. John W. Brown passing under the railroad bridge in Bourne (stern shot). John W. Brown framed under the Bourne Bridge (stern shot). John W. Brown nearing the end of the canal. In the Seaway by Bruno Boissonneault Taken at St-Jean Ile d'Orléans (15 miles below Quebec City on May 22) Brown underway. Containership OOCL Canada overtaking the Brown. Bow view underway. At St-Laurent, Ile d'Orléans (2 miles upstream from St-Jean) Side view More Seaway views photos by Capt. Brian Hope (Chairman, Project Liberty Ship) Approaching Snell Lock. Entering the Bertrand H. Snell lock. 1500 hours In the Snell Lock. Canadian Flag at the Brown's foremast. Eisenhower Lock - Visitors Center. Eisenhower Lock - Visitors Center. Captain Paul Esbensen, Master of the JOHN W. BROWN, with St.Lawrence Seaway Pilot, Capt. Larry Hickey. Headquarters of the St. Lawrence Seaway Development Corp. Eisenhower Lock. Ms. Carol Fenton, Director of Lock Operations, presents a flag to Captain Paul Esbensen, Master of the JOHN W. BROWN. Eisenhower Lock - 45 foot lift. May 24 Approaching Iroquois Lock. May 24 Passing through the Iroquois Lock photos by Peter Carter. The John W. Brown underway. A closer view. The Brown entering the Iroquois Lock. A close up of the guns mounted on her bow. The ships superstructure. The crew can be seen operating the Brown from the open bridge on top of the superstructure. Close up of her stern guns. The Brown exits the lock. The John W. Brown sails on. Passing Brockville photos by Peter Carter. The John W. Brown underway. Stern view. In the Welland Canal The Brown departing Lock 1. Jim Hoffman Between Lock 2 and 3. Jim Hoffman Approacing the Homer Bridge. Jim Hoffman Bow view of the Brown in the Welland Canal bypass area between Port Robinson and Port Colborne. Jim Hoffman Stern view. Jim Hoffman The Brown from the Glendale Bridge. Jim Hoffman Stern view from the Glendale Bridge. Jim Hoffman Bow view passing south of the Welland Dock. David Bull Stern view. David Bull The John W. Brown passing through Bridge 1 in the Welland Canal. Trish Atwood. Approacing the Homer Bridge. Jim Hoffman The John W. Brown taking on a pilot at Port Colborne, the end of the Welland Canal. Jim Hoffman. Another view. Bruce Taylor. Arriving in Toledo The tug William Hoey waits at the entrance to the river as the Brown steams in. W. Hoey Sr. The Brown enters the Maumee River as tugs prepare to attach the tow lines. W. Hoey Sr. On board the tug lead Susan Hoey Jim Storen and Rich Sibbersen Jr. tie the tow line on the Susan Hoey. W. Hoey Sr. The Susan Hoey leads the Brown past the CSX dock with the William Hoey on the Stern. Dave Wobser. The tow continues as the John J. Boland backs out of the CSX dock loaded with coal. Dave Wobser. A close up of the Browns Flying bridge as Captain Esbensen and pilot Phil Knetchel maneuver her in the river. Dave Wobser. The Brown is guided up the Maumee River by the Susan Hoey. W. Hoey Sr. On board the Gaelic tug Susan Hoey as she guides the Brown through one of the railroad bridges. W. Hoey Sr. Through the other railroad bridge. W. Hoey Sr. The tugs William and Susan Hoey working to dock the Brown. W. Hoey Sr. A view of the tow from across the river. Pat P. A line is thrown from the Brown to the dock. W. Hoey Sr.
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