LAURENTIAN FOREST

Believed to be part of the U.S. Military lift fleet?

That's certainly an interesting role for her.

Now mothballed, upriver from Galveston - if I remember correctly. Moored alongside Avon Forest (Cape Lambert)

Al

This ship was an absolute nightmare. I was 3rd and 2nd engr on here following the reflagging and joined in Jacksonville, FL in 1985. I was hard up for a shipping job. Following a month in the yard and shifting to a wet berth in charleston SC for about 2-3 more weeks, we eventually sailed for Bremerhaven. The Stbd engine had a bent crankshaft which was supposedly straightened. In the next two years never made a crossing without stopping to change out burned exhaust valves caused by slow motoring in the Great lakes and St. Lawrence Seaway on HFO. Following one vacation period I rejoined in Baltimore to see a VW bus upside down in the hold due to storm damage and after a walk around the engine room and seeing the disaster we had to fix, well during a shift to New Jersey I quit upon docking. I think it and the Federal Lakes laid up from commercial service about 6-8 months later. During Desert Storm they came out of lay up painted grey. I heard those ice hulls with minimum sized salt water coolers made for the Baltic were a disaster trying to run convoy speed in the Arabian Sea. Back in those days our government would pay anything for a used worn out Ro-Ro to put a US flag on. These two ships were the grand prize for stupidity and FEDNAV laughed all the way to the bank. (Applause)

They were "interesting" vessels to run - for sure. I think by the time I sailed on LF and AF - there was a lot of accrued knowledge and experienced staff. The early days were a challenge I believe.

They were good ships, however - fondly remembered in Harrisons Clyde.


I think you perhaps just weren't "Clydebuilt Men"

Al