The lake freighter Saginaw was commissioned the John J. Boland, in 1953, the third vessel to bear that name. Her namesake John Hames Boland, was a co-founder of Cornelius & Boland, the precursor to American Steamship Company, the owners and operators of the vessel.
Boland, hull #417 delivered September 1953, was one of three self-loading bulk carriers built at Manitowoc Shipbuilding Company, Manitowoc, Wisconsin. By the 1980s the ship had become among the oldest operated by American Steamship Company and was idle for eight years until returned to operation after on April 22, 1992 when Boland departed Superior, Wisconsin for Marquette, Michigan. In 1999 she was sold to Lower Lakes Towing, and renamed Saginaw.
The vessel was originally powered by a steam turbine, generating 7,000 shaft horsepower (5,200 kW). In 2007 her turbine was replaced by a diesel engine, generating 8,160 brake horsepower (6,080 kW).
Two earlier vessels have been named the Saginaw.
Saginaw /ˈsæɡ.ᵻ.nɔː/ is a city in the State of Michigan and the seat of Saginaw County. The city of Saginaw and Saginaw County are both located in the area known as Mid-Michigan or Central Michigan. The city of Saginaw is located adjacent to Saginaw Charter Township and is considered part of the Great Lakes Bay area, along with neighboring Bay City and Midland. The Saginaw County MSA had a population of 196,542 in 2013.
The city of Saginaw was a thriving lumber town in the 19th century and an important industrial city and manufacturing center throughout much of the 20th century. However, by the late 20th century, Saginaw's industry and its once-strong manufacturing presence declined, leading to increasing unemployment, crime, and a decrease in population. Neighboring communities, such as Saginaw Charter Township, saw subsequent population increases while the city itself is projected to return to normal population growth after the decades-long structural changes to the economy.
Saginaw may refer to: