Name

The Str. American Valor was originally named Armco, for what was formerly called Armco Steel Corporation. The vessel came under the ownership of American Steamship Company in 2006.

Construction

The Str. American Valor was built in 1953 by the American Ship Building Company at Lorain, OH and launched as a bulk freighter. It was lengthened 120’ at Fraser Shipyards, Inc., Superior, WI, in 1974 and in 1982 it was converted to a self-unloader at Bay Shipbuilding Corporation, Sturgeon Bay, WI. The Str. American Valor made its maiden voyage in ballast from Lorain, OH in June 1953 to Superior, WI to load a cargo of iron ore.

Equipment

The Str. American Valor is powered by Westinghouse Steam Turbines and Foster Weber Boilers. The ship is equipped with a bow thruster. The vessel uses a conveyor system below its cargo holds to transport cargo to a "loop" conveyor system that elevates the cargo to the deck-mounted boom conveyor.

Service

The Str. American Valor is used in general trades, transporting iron ore pellets, coal, limestone, and grain.