Defoe Ship Building Company
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The following is an accounting from memories as recalled by Plank Owners Ivan Machammer RD1 and
Loran Green YN1
who were a members of the original
USS Lester and USS Courtney crews in Bay City MI. The USS Courtney and
the USS Lester were built by the Defoe Ship Building Company. Keels were laid in 1954 and they were launched
in November 1955 and January 1956. Prior to the building of the St Lawrence Seaway
all ships built in the Great Lakes
had to transit the Chicago and Illinois Rivers to reach the Mississippi and head south to
New Orleans and open water.
With sea trials completed on Lake Huron, the USS Courtney left on the journey south in the Spring of 1956 and the
USS Lester in the Fall of 1956. The mast, screw and rudders were removed and stored on board for transit to
Treasure Island Ship Yard in Louisiana where the ships were reassembled and sailed to Charleston SC for commissioning.
.
The following black and white photographs were provided by:
Robert Graham Archivist
Bowling Green
State University
Historical Collection of the Great
Lakes
Bowling Green, Ohio
.
Color photos by:
Ivan Machammer RD1 USS Lester 1956-60
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USS Lester (Rear) and the USS Courtney (Front)
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Launching
2 November 1955 |
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Departing Bay City for transit to Louisiana
via the Chicago, Illinois and Mississippi Rivers.
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USS Lester
Launching 5 January 1956 |
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USS Lester
Shipyard Crew gathering in CIC
Jones, Sims,
Bennet |
USS Lester
Departing Bay City for transit to Louisiana
via
Chicago, Illinois, Mississippi Rivers |
14 June, 1957
With best wishes for a
succesful cruise
Allan P. Slaff
LCDR USN
Commanding Officer
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