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Page 59 Gone, But Not Forgotten - George M. Humphrey 1954-1983 . GEORGE M. HUMPHREY - 1954 During the heyday of shipbuilding on the Great Lakes after World War II, a new record would be set, only to be broken when the next ship was launched. Some ships managed to hold their cargo record for several years and become a favorite of boat-watchers. The GEORGE M. HUMPHREY (2) became such a vessel during her relatively short career on the lakes. The HUMPHREY was built at American Shipbuilding yard in Lorain, Ohio as Hull 871. She measured 710 x 75 x 37 6 with a cargo capacity of 24,000 long tons, thus making her the largest ship on the Great Lakes at the time of her launch on June 19, 1954. However, her launch was not the usual side-launch method. According to Curt Haseltine, Detroit Free Press marine writer, Instead of sliding down the ways and splashing into the Black River, the HUMPHREY was floated by flooding the No. 2 drydock. She had been built entirely in drydock with the keel laid only thirty-two weeks before. Sea trials would begin on October 5th. She was named in honor of George M. Humphrey, president of the Hanna Mining Company from 1929-1952, and later named chairman of the board. He held that title until he retired in the 1960 s. The M.A. Hanna Company would operate the HUMPHREY, boasting that she would carry more than twice as much iron ore for the M.A. Hanna Co. in a season than is possible with the standard 600-foot ore carrier. On her maiden voyage to Superior, WI. she loaded a record cargo of 22,605 gross tons of iron ore on October 21, 1954, a record that would stand until 1960. GEORGE M. HUMPHREY - Photo from the Dossin Museum Collection