C.S. Band (Canada 170554)

The “C.S. Band”, originally named “Martha,” was built in 1896 by the Chicago Ship Building Co., of Chicago, Illinois. The steel barge (92697) experienced numerous ownership and name changes in its eighty-four year existence. The Minnesota Steamship Co. of Duluth, Minnesota, first owned the vessel from 1896 until 1901. The Pittsburg Steamship Co., of Cleveland, Ohio, assumed ownership in 1901 until 1936. From 1936 until 1938, John P. Geistman (International Transportation Co., Mgr.) of Duluth took over ownership. She experienced the first of five name changes in 1936, when she was renamed the “Florence.” In 1938, the Lakehead Transportation Co., Ltd., of Fort William, Ontario, Canada, purchased the vessel. She was renamed the “Maureen H.” and registered as Canadian vessel 170554 in 1938, and renamed “Florence J.” later that same year. Great Lakes Lumber & Shipping, Ltd., also of Fort William, was the next to own her from 1942 until 1949. N.M. Paterson & Sons, Ltd. took possession of the vessel and renamed her “Owendoc”; they maintained ownership until 1962. Ownership was then transferred to Goderich Elevator & Transit Co., Ltd. of Goderich, Ont., from 1962 until 1976. They also changed the vessel’s name, and she was renamed the “C.S. Band.” In 1976, ownership transferred to McNamara Corp., Ltd. and C.A. Pitts Construction, Ltd., of Willowdale and Toronto, Ont. In 1980, the vessel was towed to Wheatley, Ont. for scrapping