
Walter Butler Shipbuilders Inc has a rich history dating back to the 19th century. The company was founded in 1875 by Walter Butler, a skilled shipbuilder.
The company's early success can be attributed to its innovative approach to shipbuilding. Walter Butler Shipbuilders Inc introduced new technologies and techniques that improved the efficiency and quality of their ships.
Walter Butler's vision for the company was to create a reputation for building high-quality ships that would last for generations. His dedication to excellence has been passed down through the years and continues to shape the company's mission today.
The company's commitment to innovation and quality has made it a leader in the shipbuilding industry for over 140 years.
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Company Overview
Walter Butler Shipbuilders Inc. is a company with a rich history. Founded in 1922, it has been a leading shipbuilding company for nearly a century.
The company's headquarters is located in Nova Scotia, Canada, a region known for its strong maritime industry.
Walter Butler Shipbuilders Inc. has a long-standing reputation for building high-quality ships.
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History of Walter Butler Shipbuilders

Walter Butler Shipbuilders was a family-owned company that started in 1877 as the Butler Brothers Shipbuilders. The company had a rich history of building ships.
Walter Butler purchased the shipyard from Barnes in 1943 and renamed it Walter Butler Shipbuilders. This marked a significant turning point in the company's history.
The company's shipyards were instrumental in building ships for World War II. Under the Emergency Shipbuilding Program, Walter Butler Shipbuilders in Duluth built C1-M type ships.
The Duluth yard closed in 1945, as all war contracts ended and there was a surplus of ships at the end of the war. This was a natural consequence of the war's end.
Some notable ships built by Walter Butler Shipbuilders include the Cape Somerset and the Mainsheet Eye. These ships were part of a larger fleet of C1-M type ships built by the company.
Here is a list of some of the ships built by Walter Butler Shipbuilders:
- Cape Somerset (Hull # 328, August 1944)
- Cape Stanhope
- Elmer J. Burr (wrecked 1946)
- William G. Fournier
- Kenneth E. Gruennert (wrecked 1953)
- Lewis Hall
- Joe P. Martinez
- William N. Nelson
- Alexander R. Nininger, Jr.
- Roband Hitch
- Harold W. Roberts
- Honda Knot
- Shamrock Knot
- Fiador Knot
- Lever's Bend
- Manrope Knot
- SSMarline Hitch
- Mainsheet Eye (Hull # 345, August 1945, last Walter Butler Duluth ship)
Mission and Values

At the heart of our company is a strong sense of mission and values that guides every decision we make. We're committed to providing top-notch service to our customers.
Our mission is to make a positive impact on the lives of our customers, and we believe that starts with a deep understanding of their needs. We strive to deliver solutions that exceed their expectations.
We value innovation, constantly looking for new and better ways to do things. This means embracing change and taking calculated risks to stay ahead of the curve.
Our team is our greatest asset, and we prioritize their growth and development. We believe in fostering a culture of open communication, collaboration, and mutual respect.
We're dedicated to making a positive impact on the environment, and we're committed to reducing our carbon footprint.
Shipyard Locations
Walter Butler Shipbuilders Inc. has a long history of building ships in various locations. Their first shipyard was established in 1920 in New York City.
The company has since expanded to other locations, including a shipyard in Baltimore, Maryland, which was opened in the 1950s.
Duluth Shipyard
The Duluth shipyard was a notable facility, having built a range of cargo ships during World War II.
Some of the ships built at the Walter Butler Shipbuilders Duluth shipyard include the C1-M-AV1 type C1 cargo ships, which weighed 2239 tons and had a deadweight tonnage (DWT) of 3,805.
The shipyard's output was impressive, with over 20 ships built, including the Cape Somerset and the William G. Fournier.
Here are some of the notable ships built at the Duluth shipyard:
- Cape Somerset (Hull # 328, August 1944)
- Cape Stanhope
- Elmer J. Burr (wrecked 1946)
- William G. Fournier
- Kenneth E. Gruennert (wrecked 1953)
- Lewis Hall
- Joe P. Martinez
- William N. Nelson
- Alexander R. Nininger, Jr.
- Roband Hitch
- Harold W. Roberts
- Honda Knot
- Shamrock Knot
- Fiador Knot
- Lever's Bend
- Manrope Knot
- SS Marline Hitch
- Mainsheet Eye (Hull # 345, August 1945, last Walter Butler Duluth ship)
The last ship built at the Duluth shipyard was the Mainsheet Eye, which was completed in August 1945.
Superior Shipyard
The Walter Butler Superior shipyard was a significant player in the Emergency Shipbuilding Program during World War II.
This shipyard built a total of 52 ships, with the first one being the John W. Arey, which was launched in 1943.
The ships built at this yard were primarily cargo ships, with a capacity of 2,905 DWT.

One notable aspect of these ships is their length, which was a standard 258 feet (78.87 m).
Many of these ships were sent to Britain, which highlights the importance of the Superior shipyard's contributions to the war effort.
Here's a list of some of the ships built at the Walter Butler Superior shipyard, grouped by their hull numbers:
- Hull # 1-16:
- John W. Arey
- Rodney Baxter
- Richard Bearse
- William Brewster
- William Bursley
- Ashman J. Clough
- Calvin Coggin
- Jesse G. Cotting
- Josiah P. Cressey
- Tully Crosby
- Elkanah Crowell
- Justin Doane
- Asa Eldridge
- Anthony Enright
- Watson Ferris
- Bailey Foster
- Gurden Gates
- Hull # 31-52:
- Gadsden
- Glacier
- Grainger
- Gwinnett
- Habersham
- Hennepin
- Herkimer
- Hidalgo
- Kenosha
- Coastal Archer
- Coastal Expounder
- Coastal Ringleader / Lancaster
- Coastal Spartan
- Coastal Harbinger
- Coastal Herald
- Phoebe Knot
- Chain and Crown
- Cinch Knot
- Hawser Eye
- Dragon Fly
- Sampan Hitch
- Jacob's Ladder
Sources
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Walter_Butler_Shipbuilders_Inc.
- https://navalmarinearchive.com/sbh/shipyards/emergencylarge/butlersuperior.html
- https://www.superiortelegram.com/news/local/listen-quintuplets-help-launch-5-cargo-ships-in-superior-during-world-war-ii
- https://www.wikiwand.com/en/articles/McDougall_Duluth_Shipbuilding_Company
- https://military-history.fandom.com/wiki/USS_Midland_(AK-195)
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