EFC Design 1079 (Skinner & Eddy type): Notes & Illustrations
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Notes: The Skinner & Eddy Corporation established their original yard in 1916 to build 8800-ton Design 1013 "Robert Dollar" type ships for European interests. It was located in Seattle just to the east of the yard of the Seattle Construction and Dry Dock Co., the builder of the 7500-ton Design 1014 "Cascade" type ships, which was soon purchased by the Todd Dry Dock & Construction Co. Between 1916 and January 1918 Skinner & Eddy received orders for 35 Design 1013 ships (including 11 that were requisitioned and 20 for the EFC). On 27 May 1918 Skinner & Eddy, received Contract 309 for 15 more ships (EFC Hulls 1731-1745) which were built at Shipyard No. 1. In 1918 Todd sold the former Seattle Construction and Dry Dock yard to the Shipping Board who on 1 June 1918 handed it over to Skinner & Eddy for operation as their Shipyard No. 2., their original yard becoming Shipyard No. 1. On the same day the EFC awarded Skinner & Eddy, now with 10 building ways at its disposal (5 in each yard), its Contract 324 for 35 ships (EFC Hulls 1925-1959) of which 22 were built at Shipyard No. 2 and the others cancelled on 25 April 1919. On 18 July 1918 it followed this with Contract 447 for 12 "9600-ton" ships (EFC Hulls 2292-2303), all of which were also cancelled on 25 April 1919. The ships in these three contracts (except Hulls 1925-1928 which were Design 1013) were built to two new designs (Designs 1079 and 1105), probably produced like the private one mentioned below by Skinner's design staff. Design 1079 was a shelter deck ship with three decks (shelter, upper, and second), two 'tween decks, and no hull islands (flush decked). If the shelter deck was fitted with "tonnage openings" that could not be closed, the upper 'tween deck became what regulations called a "sheltered space, not enclosed" and was excluded from the ship's registered tonnage and therefore from the canal tolls based on it. The deck below it lacked such openings and was the top of the enclosed and watertight portion of the hull. The plan view of EFC Design 1018 shows the tonnage opening at the after end of the shelter deck but the drawings of Design 1079 (above) do not show this feature, suggesting that it was a "closed" rather than "open" shelter deck design optimized for carrying heavy rather than bulky cargo. For an example with measurements of the difference between open and closed three-deck shelter deck ships see the page on EFC Design 1057-B. Design 1105 was a shelter deck ship with two decks (shelter and upper) and two hull islands like Moore's Design 1015. For more on shelter deck and full scantling ship types see also the page Contract Steel Ships by Category. Designs 1079 and 1105 were officially rated at 9600 and 9500 dwt respectively but were also reported as 10000 and 9600 dwt. Following the April 1919 cancellations Skinner's design staff produced a larger and faster three-deck shelter deck design for four final hulls that the company built on its own account with "Robin" names in place of the cancelled EFC Hulls 1947-1950. After completing these the Skinner & Eddy yards ceased operations. Shipyard No. 2 reverted to the Shipping Board and became Seattle's principal ferry terminal, while the site of Shipyard No. 1 is occupied today by U.S. Coast Guard Base Seattle. Specifications: Design 1079 (S.S. Edenton, EFC Hull 1731): Steel Cargo. Deadweight tons: 9600 designed, 10076 actual. Dimensions: 423.75' length oa, 410.5' pp x 54' beam mld. x 37.75' depth mld., 27.25' draft loaded. Propulsion: 1 screw, 1 Curtiss turbine, 3 Scotch boilers, 2500 SHP, 8.9 avg. kts. Configuration: Flush shelter deck, 3 decks, 5 holds, 5 hatches. Specifications: The four privately built "Robins" (S.S. Robin Hood): Steel Cargo. Deadweight tons: 10000 designed, 10400 at 27.3’ draft. Dimensions: 439.8' length oa, 425' pp x 55' beam mld. x 36' depth mld. to shelter deck, 26.5' draft loaded. Propulsion: 1 screw, 1 G.E. geared turbine, 3 Scotch boilers, 3000 SHP, 12 kts loaded trial. Configuration: Flush shelter deck, 3 decks, 5 holds, 5 hatches. |
| S.S. Nile (Design 1079, EFC Hull 1944), on a trial trip on 9 December 1919 after completion of construction by the Skinner & Eddy Corp., Seattle, Wash. She was renamed from Crittendon on 27 October 1919 to honor the Mystic Shriners, "tens of thousands" of whom attended her launch on 17 November 1919. (NARA: RG-32-UB) (Click photo to enlarge) |
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S.S. Edisto (Design 1079, EFC Hull 1738) Loading at Fisher's Flour Mills, Seattle, on 28 June 1919. Photographed for the EFC, presumably by Skinner & Eddy. Edisto became USS Altair (AD 11, q.v.) on 5 December 1921. Photo No. None Source: U.S. National Archives, RG-32-UB |
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S.S. Edmore (Design 1079, EFC Hull 1739) At Seattle on 1 July 1919, probably on a trial trip. Photographed by Skinner & Eddy Corp., Shipyard No. 1. Photo No. None Source: U.S. National Archives, RG-32-UB |
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S.S. Eldridge (Design 1079, EFC Hull 1931) Loading at Seattle Port Commission Smith Cove Terminal, Seattle, on 28 June 1919. Photographed for the EFC, presumably by Skinner & Eddy. Photo No. None Source: U.S. National Archives, RG-32-UB |
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S.S. Elmsport (Design 1079, EFC Hull 1932) Photographed on 2 July 1919 just before delivery by her builder, Skinner & Eddy Corp., Seattle, Wash. She is probably on a trial trip. Photo No. None Source: U.S. National Archives, RG-32-UB |
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S.S. Polybius (Design 1079, EFC Hull 1930) Coming in to the Port of Rotterdam on 20 March 1921 while being operated by the Black Diamond Steamship Co. The post card was mailed from Rotterdam on 23 March 1921 with the message that "We are leaving in a day or so for N.Y." Photo No. None Source: Shipscribe |
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S.S. Wheatland Montana (Design 1079, EFC Hull 1934) In Vancouver, Canada, in the mid-1930s. Originally named Elkatawa, she was renamed Wheatland on 5 April 1919 to honor Wheatland County, Montana, as a high performer in the 4th Liberty Loan and clarified to Wheatland Montana on 29 April 1919. Well over 100 names were changed during this bond campaign. Photo No. None Source: Wikipedia, credit Walter E Frost, searcharchives.vancouver.ca |
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S.S. American Seaman, ex Edgemoor (Design 1079, EFC Hull 1736) After conversion in 1938-39 to a training ship for the U.S. Maritime Commission. She served as such until 1952. Her sister Edgemont was similarly converted, becoming American Sailor. Photo No. None Source: U.S. Naval History and Heritage Command (L-file, merchant ship folder) |
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S.S. Polybius (Design 1079, EFC Hull 1930) Displaying neutrality markings, probably in 1939-1941. Note the crated deck cargo. Photo No. None Source: Shipscribe |
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S.S. Polybius (Design 1079, EFC Hull 1930) Displaying neutrality markings, probably in 1939-1941. Photo No. None Source: Shipscribe |
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S.S. Calobre, ex Egremont (Design 1079, EFC Hull 1745) Departing a U.S. port on 26 April 1941 under the Panamanian flag. She is carrying a deck cargo including three transport aircraft with possible British markings. Photo No. Calobre_5738_008 Source: vesselhistory.marad.dot.gov/ShipHistory/Detail/5738 |
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S.S. Calobre, ex Egremont (Design 1079, EFC Hull 1745) Entering a U.S. port on 16 December 1941. Photo No. Calobre_5738_001 Source: vesselhistory.marad.dot.gov/ShipHistory/Detail/5738 |
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S.S. Marymar, ex Colorado Springs (Design 1079, EFC Hull 1933) Entering a U.S. port on 11 October 1942. Photo No. Marymar_3266_002 Source: vesselhistory.marad.dot.gov/ShipHistory/Detail/3266 |
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S.S. Kenmar, ex Elmsport (Design 1079, EFC Hull 1932) Entering a U.S. port on 13 May 1943. Her deck cargo includes military vehicles. Photo No. Kenmar_6052_007 Source: vesselhistory.marad.dot.gov/ShipHistory/Detail/6052 |
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S.S. Utahan, ex Cross Keys (Design 1079, EFC Hull 1946) The EFC's Cross Keys traded under the Panamanian registry as Utahan between 1937 and 1950. The empty gun tub on the stern suggests that this is a post-World War II photo. Photo No. None Source: Shipscribe |
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S.S. Borodino, ex Egremont (Design 1079, EFC Hull 1745) In Soviet service at Leningrad with the Baltic Steamship Company between 1951 and 1963. She was used by the Soviets as a floating fishing factory base and support vessel and was broken up in 1966. She was the single Design 1079 ship produced by Skinner & Eddy Shipyard No. 1 after production there reverted from Design 1105 ships. Photo No. None Source: www.shipspotting.com/photos/3148106, image copyright Gena Anfimov, Kalipeda |
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S.S. Bonaventure, ex Robin Adair (Design 1079, EFC Hull 1948) Built privately, replacing the EFC's Crowswing (EFC Hull 1948), which was cancelled on 25 April 1919. She was renamed Bonaventure under the Panamanian registry in 1946 and was scrapped in the U.K. in 1952. The name on the bow in the photo is truncated to Bonave with the other letters painted over, typical of a final trip to the breakers. Photo No. None Source: Shipscribe |
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