Name

The Str. American Victory was originally known as the tanker Marquette. It was renamed Neshanic in 1943 and Gulfoil in 1947. The vessel was sold to the Pioneer Steamship Company and renamed Pioneer Challenger. The Pioneer Challenger entered service on July 16, 1961. The vessel came under the ownership of American Steamship Company in 2006.

Construction

Built by Bethlehem Shipbuilding and Drydock Company, Sparrows Point, MD in 1943 as an oiler for the U.S. Navy, the vessel was commissioned and entered service that same year. Rebuilt, lengthened 228'3", converted to a bulk freighter with new midbody and renamed Pioneer Challenger at Maryland Shipbuilding Company, Baltimore, MD in 1961, it was purchased by Oglebay Norton and renamed the Middletown in 1962. The vessel was converted to a self-unloader at Bay Shipbuilding Corporation, Sturgeon Bay, WI in 1982.

The Str. American Victory made its maiden voyage on October 31, 1942 as the tanker Marquette.

Equipment

The Str. American Victory is powered by Bethlehem Steel Company 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 Victory is used in general trades, transporting iron ore pellets, coal, limestone, and grain.