Cool flea market find
 

Spotted this pic at a local flea market. The ship is the Henry Ford II. It's got the early Ford logo on the stack. Henry Ford II on the stern and the life rings. Its on a very heavy cardboard backer. Had to have it for my collection.

Re: Cool flea market find
 

Nice Find.!!

Re: Cool flea market find
 

Re: Cool flea market find
 

Did the seller know what it was?

Re: Cool flea market find
 

Nice! What is an "Early" Ford logo? Bob

Re: Cool flea market find
 

Thanks! I dont know if the seller knew what it was. He just saw Henry Ford. Its nice though, very old, heavy cardboard backer. The early Ford logo is on the stack without the oval. Later pics show the oval logo. It looks like it was in service until at least the late 80's. Ever since I got my coupe, i've been into this kind of thing. Also picked up a 1928-32 Ford parts price list. Its a bit too nice, so I would imagine its a reprint. Cool book though!

Re: Cool flea market find
 

Neat-O

Re: Cool flea market find
 

Here's the auto-pilot for the boat
"Freddie Ford"

Re: Cool flea market find
 

Built at American Ship Building Co., Lorain, OH 1924 as hull # 788. Launched on March 1, 1924 as HENRY FORD II for Ford Motor Co. Marine Division, Dearborn, MI. Sea trials and maiden voyage took place on August 14, 1924. Dimensions: 611' loa x 62' beam x 32' depth; 8,877 GRT, 7,074 NRT. Cargo capacity 15,200 tons as bulk carrier, 13,400 tons as self-unloader. Power: Single opposed piston, 4 cylinder Sun-Doxford diesel engine rated at 3000 s.h.p.

Converted to self unloading vessel in 1974 by American Ship Building Co., Lorain, OH. In 1981 Ford Motor Co. changed fleet management to Rouge Steel Company, a subsidiary to Ford Motor Co. Laid up in the Rouge Steel slip, Dearborn, MI on December 28, 1988 never to sail again.

On March 13, 1989 Rouge Steel Co. sold its marine operations to Lakes Shipping Co. of Cleveland, OH (managed by Interlake Steamship Co. of Cleveland). Named changed to SAMUEL MATHER (7). Moved to Hocking Valley slip at Toledo, OH on June 23, 1989 and again on November 7, 1989 to the C&O “Frog Pond”.

Left Toledo in tow on December 20, 1994 destined for Port Maitland, ON. for scrapping by International Marine Salvage Inc.

--boatnerd.com

Re: Cool flea market find
 

Don't know if you'd be interested in this but:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/1925-Ford-Fa...8AAOSwewJTmIhs

Re: Cool flea market find
 

The sister ship the Benson Ford still exists, sort of.
http://shiponthebay.com/history.html

Re: Cool flea market find
 

Is that cool or what????????????? Very interesting, thanks for posting.