Historia
This minesweeper was built in 1942 by Burger Boat Co. in Manitowoc, WI.
Notas históricas
Ken Whitmee (British Columbia Nautical History Facebook Group 22/01/2017) states that "This vessel also served not only as a fish packer, but work boat. This vessel was used to take the Samson 4 up to Rivers Inlet every year as well. Walter Peterson was the skipper and a Ray Peterson took her on occasion. This vessel was also used to haul freight to the upcoast company fish camps when it was convenient. (right place/right time). Every year the Challenger and Western Express had to go to Vancouver Shipyards for annual underwater maintenance.
They were too big for any of the company or fish industry shipyards." Ingi Huswick (Business Development Manager Stabbert Marine & Industrial LLC, Seattle, WA 9810) states "We hauled the Western Challenger at our shipyard today. We were hired by the Department of Natural resourses to scrap the vessel as it was listed as a derelicht vessel.
She has not been operational for a while."
Propietarios y capitanes
In 1942-1946 she was owned by the United States Navy.
In 1946 she was owned by US interests.
In 1958-1967 she was owned by Nelson Bros. Fisheries Ltd., Vancouver BC Canada.
In 1980-1984 she was owned by British Columbia Packers Ltd., Richmond BC Canada.
In 2004-2013 she was owned by Jim Pattison Enterprises Ltd., Vancouver BC Canada. (Canadian Registry closed 2013-04-30).
In 2014-2017 she was owned by Western Challenger LLC, Seattle WA USA.
In 2024 this vessel was broken up at Seattle WA USA.
Capitanes
Captain Walter Peterson; Captain Ray Peterson;
Armamento
One 3"/50 dual purpose gun mount, two 20mm mounts, two depth charge tracks, and two depth charge projectors
Reconstrucciones
In 1951 she was rebuilt In 1951 in service as a packer/tug.
Remotorización
Repowered in 1951 with two 560hp Union diesel engine (1951); Repowered in 2004 with two 850bhp diesel engines.
Referencias
- Canada List of Shipping
- Photo courtesy of UBC Cdn Fisherman Archive UBC Archive BC_1532_1211_2
- Email (Ingi Huswick - Nauticapedia 08/05/2024)
- (www.st.nmfs.noaa.gov ↗
- www.navsource.org ↗ (website viewed 08/05/2024)
