Emory L. Ford 1916 - 1965
Raymond H. Reiss 1965 - 1980

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Built by the American Ship Building Co. of Lorain, OH as hull # 715. Launched on July 15, 1916 as the EMORY L. FORD for the Franklin Steamship Co. of Cleveland, OH. Dimensions: 600’ loa x 60’ beam x 32’ depth; 7986 GRT, 6225 NRT. Capacity 14,000 tons. Powered by a 2,000 ihp triple expansion steam engine and three Scotch marine boilers.

The EMORY L. FORD sailed on her maiden voyage on August 26, 1916 bound for Marquette, MI to load iron ore. The vessel was capable of carrying 487,000 bushels of grain which was near record capacity at the time.

In 1932 the vessel’s management was transferred to Bethlehem Transportation Co. of Cleveland, OH and in 1940 to the M. A. Hanna Co. also of Cleveland, OH.

In 1944 the M. A. Hanna Co. became her owner. In 1956 her tonnage was changed to 8042 GRT, 6282 NRT. In May of 1958 her side tanks and tank top were replaced. In 1963 and early 1964 the EMORY L. FORD was chartered to Gartland Steamship Co. of Chicago, IL.

The Reiss Steamship Co. of Sheboygan, WI bought the vessel on April 7, 1965 and renamed her RAYMOND H. REISS. During the winter of 1965 - 66 the ship was repowered with a 4,320 bhp, 16 cylinder, four stroke Nordberg diesel engine, a bow thruster was installed and a controllable pitch propeller at Fraser Shipyards at Superior, WI. Tonnage changed to 8220 GRT, 6496 NRT.

Management was transferred to Boland and Cornelius of Buffalo, NY in 1969. In November/December 1971 the vessel was sold to Edison Steamship Co. (Boland and Cornelius).

Sold again to Kinsman Marine Transit of Cleveland, OH in January/February 1972.

Once again sold to Cleveland-Cliffs Iron Co. of Cleveland, OH in March/April 1972. The RAYMOND H. REISS was repainted to Cleveland-Cliffs livery by late April, 1972 and retained her name.

On December 22, 1980 the RAYMOND H. REISS arrived at Ramey’s Bend, Ont. for scrapping.

Emory L. Ford being unloaded at unknown port.
(From the Ron Beaupre collection)

Upbound in the St. Marys River.
(From the Tom Manse Collection)

Docking at Hanna Co. dock, Buffalo, NY. Summer 1952.
(From the Marc Vander Meulen collection)

Another view docking at Hanna Co. dock, Buffalo, NY. Summer 1952.
(From the Marc Vander Meulen collection)

On deck securing hatch tarps once underway departing Buffalo, NY, Summer 1952.
(From the Marc Vander Meulen collection)

Another view securing the hatch tarps, Summer 1952.
(From the Marc Vander Meulen collection)

Work on top of the pilot house, Summer 1952.
(From the Marc Vander Meulen collection)

Detail view of the stack with the M. A. Hanna stack logo, Summer 1952.
(From the Marc Vander Meulen collection)

Keeping the course, Summer 1952.
(From the Marc Vander Meulen collection)

In the Detroit River upbound from Buffalo heading to Duluth, MN. Capt. Edward Rice on the bridge deck while passing one of the lighthouses, Summer 1952.
(From the Marc Vander Meulen collection)

The brand new Cason J. Callaway during final fit-out at Great Lakes Engineering Works shipyard, River Rouge, MI as seen from the Emory L. Ford, Summer 1952.
(From the Marc Vander Meulen collection)

Crewmember taking a break, Summer 1952.
(From the Marc Vander Meulen collection)

Upbound in the Detroit River, Summer 1952.
(From the Marc Vander Meulen collection)

Upbound in the Detroit River from Buffalo to Duluth. Mail boat J. W. Westcott II makes her approach. Note D&C passenger ships in background, Summer 1952.
(From the Marc Vander Meulen collection)

Deckhands watching the Detroit skyline pass by upbound in the Detroit River, Summer 1952.
(From the Marc Vander Meulen collection)

Second mate distributing the mail on the deck after it has been delivered by the mail boat in the Detroit River. City of Detroit in background, Summer 1952.
(From the Marc Vander Meulen collection)

Superior, WI ore docks docking. Watchman and First Mate on deck, Summer 1952.
(From the Marc Vander Meulen collection)

Superior, WI ore docks. Unknown ship, Summer 1952.
(From the Marc Vander Meulen collection)

Unknown Pittsburgh Steamship Co. vessel underway as seen from the Emory L. Ford, Summer 1952.
(From the Marc Vander Meulen collection)

Upbound in the St. Marys River.
(Photo by Tom Manse)

Upbound in the St. Marys River.
(Photo by Tom Manse)

Downbound in the St. Marys River.
(Photo by Tom Manse)

Upbound at Port Huron, MI in-ballast 1962.
(Photo by Paul Michaels)

Downbound in Lake St. Clair loaded with ore. New
(Photo by Ken Lowes, Skip Gillham collection)

Tied up in Buffalo awaiting her sale to Reiss Steamship, March 6, 1965. New
(Photo by Skip Gillham)

Patent design for hatch clamps used on the Emory L. Ford.
(Courtesy of William Forsythe)

At Buffalo, NY in April 1965. She was just sold to the Reiss Steamship Co. and is in the process of the hull being repainted black and will be getting the new name on the hull painted soon.
(From the Jim Hoffman collection)

Painting nearly complete. New
(Photo by Paul Sherlock, Skip Gillham collection)

Passing under the Bluewater Bridge 1965.
(From the Ron Beaupre collection)

Sailing in Reiss Steamship colors shortly before conversion to deisel, 1965.
(From the Marc Vander Meulen collection)

Stack detail. St. Clair River, June 1966.
(Photo by Emory Massman from the Marc Vander Meulen collection)

Stern view in the St. Clair River, June 1966.
(Photo by Emory Massman from the Marc Vander Meulen collection)

Side stack view with Reiss Steamship Co. stack logo, June 1968.
(Photo by Roger LeLievre)

In the St. Marys river August 1969.
(From the Marc Vander Meulen collection)

Arriving Port Washington, September 1969. New
(Photo by Paul Wiening, Skip Gillham collection)

Downbound at Mission Pt., 1970. New
(Photo by Paul Michaels, Skip Gillham collection)

In the St. Marys River August 6, 1971.
(Photo by Roger LeLievre)

Downbound just below the Soo Locks.
(From the Tom Manse collection)

Upbound in the St. Marys River.
(Photo by Roger LeLievre)

Downbound in the St. Marys River.
(Photo by Roger LeLievre)

Downbound in the St. Marys River.
(Photo by Roger LeLievre)

Being unloaded by Norfolk And Western hulets at Huron, OH. Date unknown.
(Photo by Stamm from the Marc Vander Meulen collection)

Raymond H. Reiss on the Cuyahoga River.
(Lou Gerard collection)

Downbound in the St. Marys River 1972.
(Photo by Roger LeLievre)

Upbound at Sarnia, Ont. October 1973.
(Photo by Terry McCullough)

In Cleveland, OH by G&W Welding, spring 1974. Photo from the William R. Roesch.
(Photo by Fred Bultman V)

Downbound under the Ambassador Bridge.
(Matt Miner collection)

Downbound in the St. Marys River 1974.
(Photo by Roger LeLievre)

Downbound in the St Clair River.
(From the Terry McCullough collection)

Downbound at Sarnia.
(Photo by Terry McCullough)

Downbound in the St. Marys River 1976.
(Photo by Roger LeLievre)

Side view downbound in the St. Marys River 1976.
(Photo by Roger LeLievre)

Stern view downbound in the St. Marys River 1976.
(Photo by Roger LeLievre)

Downbound St. Marys River August 1977.
(From the Marc Vander Meulen collection)

On the Detroit River in October, 1978 with the J. W. Westcott II mail boat.
(Photo by James E. Morris from the MHSD 2007 Calendar)

Sailing in-ballast April 22, 1979.
(From the Marc Vander Meulen collection)

Downbound below the Ambassador Bridge. Date unknown.
(From the Galen R. Witham Collection)

Downbound in the St Clair River passing Marysville, MI. May 8, 1979.
(Photo by Al Sykes, Marc Vander Meulen collection)

July 16, 1979 in the St. Marys River.
(From the Marc Vander Meulen collection)

Possibly on the St. Marys River. New
(Al Sykes collection, courtesy Skip Gillham)

In layup with fleet mate Champlain at the Erie Lackawanna Docks in Cleveland, OH. December 27, 1979.
(From the Marc Vander Meulen collection)

Upbound Raymond H. Reiss meeting the downbound Edwin H. Gott on the St. Clair River at St. Clair, MI, Sept. 1980.
(Photo by Lou Gerard)

Lay-up at NYPA & O Dock Cleveland, OH. March 1980.
(Photo by Bret Winkler)

Sailing in the St. Marys River August 1980.
(Photo by Bret Winkler)

Top view of Nordberg main diesel engine.
(Photo by Bret Winkler)

Another view of Nordberg main diesel engine.
(Photo by Bret Winkler)

View inside hold of the last taconite ore load. December 1980.
(Photo by Bret Winkler)

Unloading last ore cargo. December 1980.
(Photo by Bret Winkler)

Stripping the ship prior to scrapping. December 1980.
(Photo by Bret Winkler)

Arriving in Port Colborne for scrapping, December 24, 1980. New
(Photo by Doug Gross, Skip Gillham collection)

At Port Colborne, Ont. scrap dock.
(Photo by Ron Beaupre)

Stack view at Port Colborne, Ont. scrap dock.
(Photo by Ron Beaupre)

Stern view at Port Colborne, Ont. scrap dock.
(Photo by Ron Beaupre)

Scrapping at Ramey's Bend, Ont. April 1981.
(Photo by Bret Winkler)

Awaiting the torch, January 31, 1981. New
(Photo by Skip Gillham)

Inside the pilothouse, 1981. New
(Photo by Skip Gillham)

Pilothouse now setting on the ground, June 20, 1981. New
(Photo by Skip Gillham)

View of bow while scrapping at Ramey's Bend, Ont. April 1981.
(Photo by Bret Winkler)

Scrapping at Ramey's Bend, Ont. April 1981.
(Photo by Bret Winkler)

At Rameys Bend, Ont. Spring, 1981.
(Photo by Terry McCullough)

Stern section during scrapping process at Ramey's Bend, Ont. July/August 1981.
(Photo by Russ Plumb)

Stern section scrapping at Ramey's bend, Ont. November 25, 1981.
(Photo by Ron Beaupre)