MS Carolinian

The M/S Carolinian was the first entirely-welded commercial vessel in the world. She was completed in March of 1930 in Charleston, South Carolina.[1] Built by Charleston Dry Dock & Machine Company, she was a 226-ton tanker[2] designed for coastal shipping. Miles L. Clark is a known owner, with Texaco as the operator (notice the insignia on her stack prior to launch). The ship took about nine months to complete from the time her keel was laid.[3] As denoted by the prefix M/S, the vessel also had an internal combustion main engine.[4] Welded construction and internal combustion engines are staples in modern shipbuilding, allowing the Carolinian to be the first truly modern merchant ship.[5]

For first all-welded hull, see M/S Fullagar.

M/S Carolinian prior to launch, Charleston Dry Dock & Machine Co.
History
United States
Name:	Carolinian
Namesake:	Demonym of "Carolina"
Owner:	M. L. Clark
Operator:	The Texas Company (Texaco)
Route:	Elizabeth City, N.C. and adjacent ports.
Builder:	Charleston Dry Dock & Machine Company
Laid down:	Around July, 1929
Launched:	February 14, 1930
Completed:	March 9, 1930
Maiden voyage:	From Charleston, April, 1930
Homeport:	Elizabeth City, North Carolina
Notes:	Designed by R. F. Smith, naval architect.
General characteristics
Type:	Coastal Tanker
Tonnage:	226 tons
Displacement:	440 tons (loaded)
Length:	120 ft.
Beam:	23 ft.
Draft:	8.5 ft. (loaded)
Depth:	10 ft.
Installed power:	(1x) Fairbanks-Morse 6 cyl. marine diesel engine, 10-inch cylinder dia., 12.5-inch stroke. 180 shp at 400 rpm.
Propulsion:	Single Screw
Speed:	11.5 knots
Boats & landing craft carried:	1(?)
Capacity:	125,000 U.S. gallons
Crew:	4(?)
Notes:	Coastwise Trade, R.F. Smith-patented Lock Notch Welded System

Richard F. Smith, the designer, created the lock notch welded system. Charleston Dry Dock & Machine was the sole licensee.[6] The design consisted of steel plates with notches that allowed easy fit-up and welding. Only nine workmen were required to assemble the hull. This design saved one-quarter of the cost, and 85,000-lbs of rivets. The welding required a mere 8,000-lbs of welding wire by comparison.[7]

During the shakedown cruise on March 8, she made 11.5 knots heading out to sea, beyond Fort Sumter.[3] The success of the Carolinian's maiden voyage the following month, and two flawless subsequent dry-dock inspections spurred an "estimate" for six orders of similar ships in 1931.[8][9]

On March 9, 1934, the Carolinian rescued four fishermen from a squall near Elizabeth City, North Carolina, the hompeort of this vessel.[10] She was under the command of Captain E. R. Outlaw.[11]

M/S Carolinian going down the slipway.

The vessel was later purchased by Pine State By-Products of South Portland, Maine. It was converted into a barge later in its career, and remained in the Register into the early-1980s.[12]