John W Brown Returns to Baltimore February 9, 2020

This 134.6×17.4m (441ft6inx57ft) Liberty ship was built in 1942 by Bethlehem-Fairfield Shipyard in Sparrows Point here in Baltimore. She made 8 voyages during WWII being converted to a troop ship after the first voyage. Check out their website by clicking here.

She had been in drydock at Colonna’s Shipyard in Norfolk, Virginia which is normally done every 5 years for this ship. She departed Baltimore, Maryland January 4, 2020 to begin a process in which routine work is done such as cleaning and painting the hull, inspecting the rudder, propeller, as well as other work. Check out this blog posting on the ship’s website for more detailed information on what was done.

Readers of this blog may recall I posted about a petition to find this ship a new home. There is some great news as Maritime Applied Physics Corp. (MAPC), a shipbuilder on the site of the former Bethlehem Steel Fairfield Shipyard, announced an $18 million plan to revitalize a portion of the site which will include space for the ship’s educational and cruise activities. Check out their press release here. Also check out this Chesapeake Bay Magazine article which includes a rendering of a possible pier design which shows the John W Brown docked.

In my video of her return below she can be seen followed off of the Chesapeake Bay and onto the Patapsco River by a roro ship. The pilot boat Maryland was spotted heading out. Baltimore City Fire Department fire boat John R. Frazier was also seen heading out. With the pilot boat alongside the Liberty Ship a bulker had joined the parade inbound. As the ship nears the camera it can be seen the pilot had just returned to the boat and the ladder is returning to the stowed position. Tugboat Bridget McAllister can be seen celebrating the ship’s return home.

Click here to find out about her Living History cruises!