Name

Originally built as the M/V Belle River, the vessel was renamed in 1990 to honor the former Chairman of the Detroit Edison Company, Walter J. McCarthy Jr.

Construction

The M/V Walter J. McCarthy Jr. was built by Bay Shipbuilding Corp at Sturgeon Bay, WI and entered service in 1977.

Equipment

The M/V Walter J. McCarthy Jr. is powered by four 3500 HP General Motors Electro Motive Division (EMD) diesel engines. The vessel uses a conveyor system below its cargo holds to transport cargo to a "loop conveyor" system that elevates the cargo to the massive deck-mounted boom conveyor. For maneuvering in port, the vessel is equipped with 1,500 HP bow and stern thrusters.

Service

The M/V Walter J. McCarthy Jr. transports low-sulfur western coal from Superior, Wisconsin to Detroit Edison's St. Clair and Monroe, Michigan power plants.

Length, Overall	1000'-0"
Beam	105'-0"
Depth	56'-0"
Midsummer Draft (MS)	34'- 3/4"
Deadweight Capacity at MS Draft	80,900 Gross Tons
Deadweight Capacity at 27'-6"	62,100 Gross Tons
Unloading Boom Conveyor Length	250'
Maximum Unloading Rate	10,000 Tons/Hour
Number of Cargo Holds	7
Number of Hatches	37
Shaft Horsepower	14,000
Year Built	1977
Number of Propellers	2