Carter Braxton

Built 1953 by Sun Shipbuilding & Drydock Co. and operated by Waterman Steamship.

Brings back some good memories. I don't know how often she came up the Thames but I always considered her a 'good cop' when I saw her coming round the Downs and passing NE Spit en-route to London early one summer morning in 1975.

She was scrapped as HOOSIER MARINER in 1986.

Hi Phil
Did you see her more than one time? If so it discounts information told to me by her 2nd Mate at the time I was working on her.
She had a newly painted hull and funnel but the decks,housing and derricks were severely corroded as seen in the other photo.
When I commented on this to the 2nd Mate he told me the ship had been laid up for six years as President Buchanan and was then chartered by US Government and given the name Carter Braxton.
She arrived at Tilbury with a cargo of US Army vehicles and military stores and berthed on 13 quay- that is where I took the photo on 1st October 1975.
As far as I know that was the only time she visited Tilbury.
Regards - Stan

Definately only saw her the once Stan and I'm sure it was 1975. However, I was staying with relatives in Ramsgate and that normally only occurred during school holidays. If I can find my old notebook from that time, I might be able to check the date.

Built in 1953 as the 'Hoosier Mariner' (C4-S-1a) by the Sun Shipbuilding & Dry Dock Co., Chester, PA for MARAD (Isthmian Steamship Co.)
Sold to the American President Lines in 1959 and renamed 'President Buchanan'(III).
TO Waterman as the 'Carter Braxton' in 1974.
To MARAD in 1978 and then laid up under her original name, 'Hoosier Mariner'.
9,171GT, 529' x 76', geared turbine, single screw,20 knots top.
12 passengers.

Many thanks Bruce - it confirms the info given to me by the ships 2nd Mate,
and also the laid up period as in the other photo.
Regards - Stan

Stan, I believe she was active for a relatively short period of time after she was built, supplying the military in Korea and then laid up.
It appears many of the class were first laid up after a year or two of active service.
She really was good looking ship, but, as you said, needed some TLC.

Bruce

Also called "Carter Breakdown" by those who sailed on her during her time with Waterman. Spent a year or so laid up in New Orleans before being towed over to Beaumont.

Hi Bobs and John
Re USL ships and military supplies into Tilbury - this may interest you.
Prost
Stan

It is indeed interesting, Stan.
I have just come across a black & white photo of mine from the 1970s of TRANSCOLUMBIA, a rebuilt C4 troopship in services as a heavy lift carrier. Can't post it till tomorrow since my quota six is used up for tday.
Did you come across it? Memorable because it had three Stülcken derricks. I remember it came to a river berth (I think it was Tower Wharf, Northfleet). 8/4/1977 is the date on one of my photos.

It's sad to see the old President Buchanan in such a sad state. When I worked for APL, they ran their ships hard with little time for shoreside repairs that were often deferred. By the time Waterman got the ship for US Government charters plus 6 years of layup, she must have been pretty well used up. The Mariner class ships were fine and extremely strong ships that were well ahead of their time which accounted for the period of initial layup at their initial construction. Once the US Flag companies adapted to these new ships, they were extremely successful and many operated until containerization led to their demise.