Steamer PAUL L. TIETJEN records

Collection

Identifier: GLMS-0013

Staff Only

Collection Overview

Abstract

The PAUL J. TIETJEN was built by the American Ship Building Company and was launched at Cleveland, Ohio on January 12, 1907. The vessel was originally the MATTHEW ANDREWS (1907-1933) and later sailed as the HARRY L. FINDLAY (1933-1965). Most of the material in the collection dates from the 1970's and includes service reports, chief engineer's instructions, engine room workbook and log, inspections, and crew members' information cards.

Dates

Creation: 1944-1981
Creation: Majority of material found within 1952-1981

Extent

3 Cubic Feet (3 legal manuscript boxes, 1 records storage carton, and 7 volumes)

Creator

Kinsman Marine Transit Company (Organization)

Scope and Contents

This three cubic foot collection concentrates on records of the PAUL L. TIETJEN from 1944-1981. A few items pertain to this vessel under the earlier name HARRY L. FINDLAY. The largest set of records are logs recording information about trips made by the TIETJEN. The official ship's logs are present for 1944, 1965-1977 and document each trip the vessel made. This log records ports of arrival and departure, beginning and conclusion dates for trips and types of cargo. Details of each trip from ports of call and weather to drills held are noted. Engine room maintenance data and logs reflects the need of the crew to monitor engine performance.

Personnel files for 1965-1977 offer extensive crew information. Crew lists and individual information cards provide names and background details on the people employed on the TIETJEN. The articles signed by the officers and crew describe working conditions on a Great Lakes vessel.

Correspondence of officers assigned to the TIETJEN, and the earlier FINDLAY, discusses daily operational matters for the vessel from 1954 to 1981. Maintenance and safety issues appear frequently.

A subject file for vessel administration from 1952-1977 provides further detail on maintenance and safety issues for the vessel. Technical engine literature and safety rules also appear in these files.

A series of reports on shipboard conditions following inspections from 1967-1976 completes the collection. Maintenance, water quality, and weather conditions are covered in these reports.

Vessel History

The PAUL L. TIETJEN (US 203907) was built as the MATTHEW ANDREWS in 1907 at Cleveland, Ohio by the American Ship Building Company. The Kinsman Marine Transit Company of Cleveland operated the ANDREWS until 1933 when the vessel was renamed the HARRY L. FINDLAY. The name FINDLAY was used until 1965 when the renaming to PAUL L. TIETJEN occurred.

Paul Lindhorst Tietjen was born in Cleveland on July 28, 1911. Tietjen received a degree in Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering from the University of Michigan and began a lengthy career in the ship building and marine transportation industries. Tietjen was a vice-president with the Jones and McLaughlin Steel Corporation for many years and served on the board of directors of the American Ship Building Company.

Under its third name, the TIETJEN continued as part of the Kinsman Line until being transferred to the S & E Shipping Corporation in 1975. In 1978 the TIETJEN was sold for scrapping to the Triad Salvage Company of Ashtabula, Ohio.

During its lengthy service the TIETJEN was involved in several accidents. As the FINDLAY, a collision occurred with the Greek freighter MESOLOGI at Toledo, Ohio on September 17, 1962. As the TIETJEN, severe bow damage occurred during a collision with the Canadian freighter FORT WILLIAM on August 10, 1967 near the Port Huron lightship. A serious galley fire occurred on July 24, 1972 while in the St. Clair River. In May 1974 damage occurred during a collision with the Grassy Point bridge requiring four days of repair at the Fraser Shipyard in Superior, Wisconsin. The TIETJEN, under its various names, survived these accidents and remained a productive Great Lakes vessel for 70 years.

Conditions Governing Access

No known acccess restrictions.

Conditions Governing Use

Researchers using this collection assume full responsibility for conforming to the laws of libel, privacy, and copyright, and are responsible for securing permissions necessary for publication or reproduction.

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Related Materials

For records of other vessels scrapped by Triad Salvage, see the GLMS 14 - G.A. TOMLINSON reocrds and GLMS 12 - Tanker M/V POLARIS records.

For maintenance records of work done by Triad Salvage, see the GLMS 53 - Triad Salvage, Inc. records.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Collection was donated by Robert Weiner, owner of Triad Salvage, Inc., in Ashtabula, OH, in 1981. The material was found aboard the PAUL L. TIETJEN when it was delivered to his company for scrapping.