BoatNerd's video: Inland Voyage the Conversion of the Cliffs Victory

The 1952 film “Inland Voyage: Conversion and Delivery of the Cliffs Victory,” documenting the delivery and conversion of the much-loved Cleveland-Cliffs steamer Cliffs Victory. The unique Cliffs Victory’s history was built in 1945 by Oregon Shipbuilding Co., Portland, OR as hull # 1229. Keel laid Jan. 26, 1945 and launched March 9, 1945 as the Victory ship NOTRE DAME VICTORY for the U.S. Maritime Commission. Purchased by Cleveland-Cliffs Steamship Co. in December 1950, the hull was lengthened to 619 feet and her capacity was increased to 14,500 DWT at Baltimore, MD. Renamed CLIFFS VICTORY on Mar. 21, 1951, she was towed up the Mississippi River to S. Chicago, arriving there May 9, 1951 to complete the lake boat conversion at American Ship Building's yard. She entered service on June 4, 1951 and was known for her distinctive profile and high-speed runs and was given informal title "Speed Queen of the Lakes.” Lengthened in 1957 to 716' 03" at S. Chicago with a new capacity of 17,600 DWT. She was laid up at end of the 1981 season at S. Chicago and sold Oct. 12, 1985 for scrap for $235,000. The vessel was reflagged Panamanian and renamed SAVIC by painting out the letters CLIFF and ORY and adding an A in the middle. She left S. Chicago Dec. 17, 1985 under own power and, after many delays, arrived at Masan, S. Korea on Dec. 22, 1986 for scrapping. More on her history at this link: www.boatnerd.com/pictures/historic/perspectives/CliffsVictory