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MANHATTAN OIL TANKER

For the icebreaker, please go here: ice breaker Manhattan

SS Manhattan was an oil tanker that was the largest merchant ship ever built in the U.S. and the largest to ever fly the U.S. flag, as well as the biggest icebreaker in history. She measured 940.5 feet in length and 132 feet in beam. She was very powerful, with speed over 19 knots.

The Manhattan tanker was delivered on January 15, 1962, and immediately employed on voyages to the Persian Gulf, returning to the U.S. East Coast with crude oil. 

In 1963, the Manhattan entered the bulk grain trades. It was the crude oil and grain trades that kept the ship employed throughout its career with one exception.

During the mid-1960s, oil was discovered in Alaska, and it was not known if the federal government would allow a pipeline to be built so the oil could then be transported to the lower 48 states.

To gain access to the largest oil field in North America, Exxon, together with ARCO and BP, chartered the 43,000-horsepower Manhattan and converted it to an icebreaker/oceanographic research vessel to test the feasibility of the route through Canada’s Arctic islands, now known as the Northwest Passage.

To speed the conversion to icebreaker, the SS Manhattan was dry docked at Sun Shipyard in Chester, Pennsylvania, and cut into four sections. The forward piece was replaced by a new icebreaking bow built by Sun and Bath Iron Works of Maine, and later towed to Newport News, Virginia, where it was fitted with a heavy ice belt. The midship section was towed to Mobile, Alabama, where a similar ice belt was fitted. When completed at the Sun yard, the Manhattan measured 1,005 feet by 148 feet, and its weight increased by 9,000 tons. The ship was also outfitted with additional living quarters, laboratories, electronic gear, a helicopter deck and much more. Her 45 cargo tanks were to be used for ballast and not the carriage of oil.

On August 24, 1969, the SS Manhattan commenced its 4,500-mile voyage across the top of North America, of which 650 miles were through ice measuring up to 14-feet thick. The tanker arrived at Prudhoe Bay on September 19, where a symbolic barrel of oil was loaded on the ship’s main deck. Days later the ship departed, heading east via the Northwest Passage, arriving in New York harbor on November 8 to a great celebration. The oil tanker Manhattan had become the first commercial ship to cross the Northwest Passage.

The following April the SS Manhattan began a second voyage to test herself against the winter ice. Oceanographic research and numerous icebreaking tests were carried out.

By 1971, the Manhattan tanker resumed its role as a crude oil carrier, spending most of her remaining service years delivering crude via the Port of Valdez to the lower 48 states.

SS Manhattan remained in service until 1987 when she met her untimely end while awaiting another cargo at Yosu, Korea. During Typhoon Thelma, the ship dragged anchor and grounded on a rocky bottom. She was refloated and towed to China to be scrapped.

This primarily wood SS Manhattan model is 48" long x 12" tall x 7" wide. A wooden base is included $4,570   Shipping and insurance in the contiguous USA included. Other places: $500 flat rate. This model  in stock and can be shipped within 5 business days. 
 

"The Manhattan tanker model arrived yesterday in perfect condition.  It is absolutely beautiful and I could not be happier. Thank you so very much. One quick question concerning my model. I did not find a “nameplate” – you know, the brass plaque stating vessel’s name, shipbuilder, month/ year of build, main dimensions and deadweight. I do not know if this was an oversight on your part or whether this is an “extra”. If it is an extra and you could provide we with a nameplate, I would be pleased to pay additionally for it. Again thank you so much for the beautiful model. I could not be happier. Very best regards, Peter"

"Nameplate safely received, in place and just perfect. Thank you  so very much.  You will be hearing from my son Jason K. in the near future and I myself would like to do one more, finances permitting. The model makes me happy each time I pass it – usually 5-6 times daily. Very best regards Peter"

Learn more about the tanker Manhattan here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SS_Manhattan_(1962)